I probably wouldn't recommend this for general moviegoers, but this is an above-average production from the world of low-budget horror which displays some genuine effort and a refreshing level of creativity. The monster is an unusual one, drawn from Indian folklore and given an interesting motivation, with a grisly appearance that is used sparingly but to impressive effect. The mystery behind the killings includes a number of red herrings, and the ultimate revelation is the most sensible one. The plot isn't air tight, but this is fantasy, and overall the script is rather well-constructed compared to your typical genre entry. Acting quality varies, with star Dean Cain as the standout. Cain plays the troubled small-town police chief with conviction and makes the character's inner struggle not only believable but involving. The rest of the cast is good enough, though the story does suffer a bit due to several of the main characters frankly not being very likable, despite the fact I think the scriptwriter took some paints to make them more than the typical monster fodder. The director does well by emphasizing the eerie forest where several of the killings take place, creating several highly atmospheric moments. The climax could have been amped up a bit, but it still brings everything to a satisfying conclusion. An epilogue leaves an opening for a sequel which will probably never come, and while this is as bad an idea here as it always is it's not enough to spoil the rest of the picture. Maneater may not be the next horror classic, but it's not bad, and in many respects outshines most of its competitors. Fans of the genre who can appreciate this type of movie's strengths and forgive its minor weaknesses should enjoy it.
