Mania is about Professor Brecht, a scientist whose obsession with apparent death leads to deception, psychological torment, and violence in his isolated villa.

Horror Cult Classic

A mad scientist, a twisted twin, and a villa steeped in betrayal and psychological torment.

MANIA

1974 · 1h 25m · NR · Horror / Mystery / Science Fiction / Thriller · IMDB TMDB

Professor Brecht finds out his wife Lisa is having an affair with his twin brother Giordano. His brother disappears in mysterious circumstances and he takes his place, pretending to be him, driving his wife crazy.

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Quick Answer

What is Mania about?

Mania is a 1974 Italian horror, mystery, science fiction, and thriller film directed by Renato Polselli about a scientist whose obsession with apparent death spirals into madness and murder within his isolated villa.

Programmer's Pick

Mania puts the 'psycho' in psychosexual Gothic, with twin-swapping, cataleptic trances, and a villa full of secrets. If you crave your giallo sleazy and your science unhinged, Renato Polselli delivers the goods in spades.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

In an isolated villa, Professor Brecht pursues radical experiments on apparent death, convinced that cataleptic bodies can be more easily cured. His life is a tense web of relationships: there's his wife Lisa, his twin brother Germano, assistant Lailo, young student Erina, and the ever-present waitress Katia. When Brecht discovers Lisa's affair with Germano, he plots a deadly deception, setting off a chain of psychological unraveling that leaves everyone in the villa on edge. As paranoia and manipulation mount, those trapped inside the villa become entangled in a mystery where science and obsession collide. Mania is a Gothic giallo that blends mad science with lurid, atmospheric intrigue.

Details & Specs

Director: Renato Polselli
Writer: Renato Polselli
Release: 1974
Runtime: 1h 25m
Country: Italy
Language: Italian
Genres: Horror, Mystery, Science Fiction, Thriller

Cast & Crew

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Director: Renato Polselli Writer: Renato Polselli

BE Brad Euston Professor Brecht / Germano IG Ivana Giordan Katia

Isarco Ravaioli Lailo MR Mirella Rossi Erina ES Eva Spadaro Lisa MD Max Dorian Dr. Lous FD Filomena Desiato

Carla Mancini (credit only)

Giorgio Dolfin

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Why Cult

Mad Scientist Experiments

Professor Brecht's obsession with 'apparent death' and cataleptic states fuels this film's uniquely twisted scientific premise.

Twin Identity Swap

The plot hinges on a deadly case of mistaken identity and impersonation, as Brecht plots to take his twin's place.

Gothic Giallo Atmosphere

Set in a shadowy villa, the film blends giallo sleaze with eerie Gothic horror, complete with violence, madness, and ghostly touches.

Boundary-Pushing Content

Expect explicit scenes, nudity, and taboo-breaking moments—this is a prime slice of Italian exploitation cinema.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Discovery of wife's affair and twin's disappearance

Threat

Mad scientist's obsession and identity deception

Effect

Psychological torment, violence, and madness among villa residents

Setting

Isolated villa

Questions from the Vault

Who directed Mania? +

Mania was directed by Renato Polselli.

How long is Mania? +

Mania has a runtime of 85 minutes.

What genre is Mania? +

Mania is a horror, mystery, science fiction, and thriller film.

Where can I watch Mania? +

You can watch Mania on SassyFlix.

How is catalepsy used in the plot? +

Professor Brecht's experiments focus on inducing a cataleptic state—'apparent death'—which he believes makes bodies easier to cure, intertwining scientific obsession with the film's mystery.