RATING: A

A Two Witches Films productions. Directed, lensed, and edited by Pierre Tsigaridis. Written and produced by Dina Silva and Pierre Tsigaridis. 

Stars Dina Silva, Stefanie Estes, Tim Fox, Jordan Debarge, Rocío de la Grana, Pierre Tsigaridis, and Daniella Mendoza

The latest from the director of Traumatika is a freaking amazing movie that one critic described as “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre meets The Substance” and they couldn’t be more right thanks to a tour de force performance from Dina Silva in the titular role. 

Frances “Frankie” Ramirez is an aspiring singer-songwriter in Los Angeles. However, she has learned the hard way that making it in the music business is more than writing and performing songs. When she is constantly body shamed, she finds herself on the brink of complete humiliation. However, one day while on a hike, she sees the vision of Jerome, who years ago, had an affair with her mother. He gets in her head and tells her that she doesn’t need to take any more crap from anyone.

She begins going on a killing spree. Sporting a rubber mask, she begins to cut her way into anyone she feels is a threat to her. Whether it is a music producer who tells her looks are just as important as the song or a random who body shames her, Frankie unleashes on them. However, after one victim, she begins to question if killing is worth it. However, a near-death experience leads to a possible road to redemption…or will it lead to more chaos?

Pierre Tsigaridis wowed horror audiences just last year with his possession film Traumatika, which was nominated for a few WorldFilmGeek Awards. However, if you liked that film and are a fan of films like The Substance and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, then prepare for the ride of the year as he amps up the gore and insanity with this film. 

Dina Silva, who co-wrote, co-produced, and wrote some of the songs in the film, is without a doubt destined to be a breakout this year with her role as the titular Frankie. Silva is a great singer and here, she is a great actress who could be the poster woman for anti-body shaming. Add to the mix the director himself as Jerome, the devilish conscience who helps Frankie go from bullied woman to empowered killer. The film also shows a flashback where she is ridiculed by her own mother, a promiscuous woman who sees beauty as more vanity instead of the eye of the beholder. 

The kills are very gruesome and graphic in the film. Whether she’s bashing one victim with a guitar relentlessly to slicing her victims with one particular kill towards the end that is so out there that I can’t even describe it. In other words, you’d have to see this to believe it! Silva’s performance clearly is the reason to see this especially because Frankie takes pride once she begins killing and despite some reservations, it is clear that she is destined to be the titular “maniac woman” who just has had enough of the B.S. 

Frankie, Maniac Woman is definitely one of the best indie horror films of 2026. Pierre Tsigaridis once again delivers but it is Dina Silva who definitely deserves accolades for her performance as the titular character. If you love slashers and/or sick of the body shaming dynamic, this is your movie! 

The film will be released in select theaters on April 24.