Maniac Cop

Maniac Cop

Year: 2008

Runtime: 3 mins

Language: English

Director: Chris .R. Notarile

Horror

In a grim New York back alley, a young woman walking home alone is assaulted by two vicious muggers. When a lone police officer arrives, he reveals himself to be a ruthless, almost psychopathic enforcer, delivering his own brand of brutal justice rather than help. The situation spirals into a terrifying confrontation.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Maniac Cop (2008)

Trace every key event in Maniac Cop (2008) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Assault by Maniac Cop and first killing

In New York City, a waitress on her way home is assaulted by two muggers and seeks help from a police officer. The officer breaks her neck, revealing the Maniac Cop's brutal mark on the city. This opening murder establishes the killer's police disguise and its deadly reach.

Night 1 New York City streets
2

Murder spree continues; cover-up begins

Over the next two nights, the Maniac Cop commits more murders across the city. Lieutenant McCrae is instructed by his superiors to suppress eyewitness accounts that the killer wears a police uniform. He informs a journalist to protect civilians, sparking tension with the department.

Night 2-3 New York City
3

Public panic grows

Panic and dissent spread throughout the city as the killer's identity remains uncertain. Innocent patrolmen are shot by terrified civilians or avoided on the streets by people afraid of encounters with the Maniac Cop.

Following the murders New York City streets
4

Ellen Forrest confronts her husband

Ellen Forrest follows her husband Jack to a motel and discovers him in bed with Mallory. Distressed by the betrayal, she is killed by the Maniac Cop, escalating the personal stakes of the investigation.

Evening Motel
5

Jack arrested; McCrae suspects framed

Jack is arrested on suspicion of the motel murder, but McCrae believes he has been framed. He grows convinced that the real killer is exploiting police authority.

After Ellen's murder Police precinct
6

Killer's attack during interrogation; threat feels unreal

Mallory is attacked by the Maniac Cop while under protective watch and is defended by McCrae; the killer's unnatural coldness and lack of breath while wearing gloves shocks them. The confrontation reinforces that the killer's identity is tied to Cordell.

During Mallory's interrogation Police headquarters / interrogation area
7

Mallory seeks refuge as McCrae investigates Sally Noland

Mallory hides out in McCrae's apartment while he investigates Sally Noland, the only person Mallory confided to about the affair. The investigation hints at a deeper corruption connected to a former officer.

Following the interrogation McCrae's apartment
8

Lead to Cordell through Sally Noland; warehouse meeting

McCrae follows Sally Noland to a warehouse where she meets the Maniac Cop and refers to him as 'Matt,' confirming a personal identity behind the killer. The warehouse scene marks a crucial reveal linking the killer to Cordell.

Later that night Warehouse
9

Cordell suspected; plan to visit Sing Sing

Back at the precinct, McCrae and Mallory tell Jack they suspect Matthew Cordell, an officer who was framed; they plan to consult Sing Sing's medical examiner for answers. Tensions rise as they race to verify the killer's identity.

Investigation phase Police precinct
10

Sally's murder; corpses discovered; Cordell disappears

Sally is beaten to death by Cordell during the interrogation sequence, prompting Jack and Mallory to discover corpses scattered in the halls. Cordell then disappears from view after a confrontation in which his presence is felt but not seen.

Interrogation sequence Police precinct
11

Cordell kills McCrae; Jack and Mallory flee

Cordell unexpectedly appears and throws McCrae out of a window, killing him. Jack and Mallory escape from the interrogation room and flee the station, now hunted by the killer.

Immediately after Police precinct
12

Sing Sing medical examiner reveals Cordell's fate

The medical examiner at Sing Sing admits that Cordell showed faint signs of life during autopsy, and was secretly released into Sally's care, suggesting a chilling manipulation of the justice system.

After the Cordell escape Sing Sing
13

St. Patrick's Day Parade; Pike and Ripley are killed; Mallory arrested

During the 50th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, Mallory warns Commissioner Pike and Captain Ripley about Cordell, but they refuse to believe her and have her arrested. Cordell then appears and fatally stabs Pike and Ripley, targeting Mallory.

Parade day St. Patrick's Day Parade, NYC
14

Final chase; Cordell's death in the river

Mallory and another officer chase Cordell to his warehouse hideout; he kills another officer and tries to escape in a van. Jack clings to the van, they fight, a suspended pipe impales Cordell, and the vehicle crashes into the river, where Cordell's hand surfaces as a final taunt.

Final chase Warehouse and river
15

Extended version ending: Mayor's murder

In the extended version, Cordell silently reappears behind a curtain in the mayor's office and kills the mayor as revenge for his framing.

After the parade Mayor's office

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 10:41

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Maniac Cop Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Maniac Cop

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Maniac Cop

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Maniac Cop Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Maniac Cop

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