Fans say they never get tired of rewatching an 'eye popping' show available on Netflix that can be binge watched in a day. All episodes of Maniac were originally released back in 2018, but eight years later, some say it is just as impactful now as it was back then.
What Is 'Maniac' About?
According to its synopsis, the miniseries is set in a world somewhat like our world, in a time quite similar to our time. Maniac tells the stories of Annie Landsberg and Owen Milgrim, two strangers drawn to the late stages of a mysterious pharmaceutical trial, each for their own reasons. Annie is disaffected and aimless, fixated on broken relationships with her mother and her sister. Owen is the fifth son of wealthy New York industrialists and has struggled his whole life with a disputed diagnosis of schizophrenia.
Neither of their lives have turned out quite right, and the promise of a new, radical kind of pharmaceutical treatment—a sequence of pills its inventor claims can repair anything about the mind, be it mental illness or heartbreak—draws them and ten other strangers to a three-day drug trial. They are assured there will be no complications or side-effects whatsoever and it will solve all of their problems, permanently. Things do not go as planned.
Creative Team and Cast
Maniac was created by Patrick Somerville, who also wrote crime drama The Bridge, sci-fi series The Leftovers, and the movie Predator: Badlands. Episodes were directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, who previously helmed True Detective and IT before going on to make No Time To Die and Masters of the Air.
The cast is led by Emma Stone as Annie and Jonah Hill as Owen. Justin Theroux, star of The Leftovers and Fallout, also stars.
Critical Reception and Fan Response
Maniac was a hit with critics when it first released, earning a more than respectable 84% rating on website Rotten Tomatoes. However, it failed to become one of Netflix's most viewed titles. Nevertheless, fans still claim that they rewatch it regularly and wish more would give it the chance it deserves.
One reviewer recently claimed it is the sci-fi series everyone missed, adding: "Maniac is as eye-popping visually and aesthetically inventive as any streaming show of the last few years." While one fan posted online: "Wildly insane concept with a little bit contrived story line, but still a very enjoyable and entertaining watch. I say dramedy for its insane moments that make no sense with serious topics of mental health. Would rewatch again."
Someone else admitted: "Absolutely blown away by this mini-series and can't say enough. It was the perfect mixture of trippy psychological thriller/drama, quirky and hilarious at the right times, and an outstanding cast who bring the emotional depth you only wish you could see in many other films/series. This series has a solid plot with moral substance, but manages to take you on an unpredictable ride with little twists and turns along the way and makes for an awesome journey. The only downside is not being able to take the ride over and over again. That being said, I really hope they expand this in some way."
One person went so far as to declare: "It is arguably Netflix's single greatest achievement. Absolutely brilliant. We live in a golden age of TV and this one stands above most. More than anything I think I love that the creators took such a chance with originality and flat out weird. Also, it showcases J. Hill's acting ability. If you haven't seen it...go now. Watch. And be pleased."
Maniac is streaming on Netflix.
