More than seven years after its initial release, Netflix's limited series 'Maniac' continues to attract devoted fans who describe it as the streaming service's 'single greatest achievement.' Viewers are urging others to watch the show, which they say remains as powerful and affecting as when it first debuted in 2018.
What Is 'Maniac' About?
According to its official synopsis, the miniseries is set in a world somewhat like our own, in a time quite similar to our time. It follows 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 her fractured relationships with her mother and sister. Owen is the fifth son of wealthy New York industrialists and has battled throughout his life with a disputed diagnosis of schizophrenia. Neither of their lives have panned out as hoped, and the prospect of a groundbreaking pharmaceutical treatment — a sequence of pills its creator claims can fix anything about the mind, whether mental illness or heartbreak — draws them and ten other strangers to a three-day drug trial. They are promised there will be no complications or side-effects whatsoever and that it will solve all of their problems permanently. Things do not go as planned.
Critical Reception and Fan Devotion
'Maniac' proved a hit with critics upon its initial release, securing a highly respectable 84% rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. Yet it never quite broke through to become one of Netflix's most-watched titles. Nevertheless, devoted viewers insist they return to it repeatedly and believe more people should grant it the opportunity it warrants. One critic recently declared it the sci-fi series everyone overlooked, adding: 'Maniac is as eye-popping visually and aesthetically inventive as any streaming show of the last few years.'
One admirer shared 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.' Another confessed: '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.'
Fans Call It Netflix's 'Single Greatest Achievement'
One viewer went as far as proclaiming: '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.'
Cast and Crew
The series was created by Patrick Somerville, who also penned crime drama 'The Bridge,' sci-fi series 'The Leftovers,' and the film 'Predator: Badlands.' Episodes were helmed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, who previously directed 'True Detective' and 'IT' before moving on to deliver 'No Time To Die' and 'Masters of the Air.' The cast is headed by Emma Stone as Annie, alongside Jonah Hill as Owen. Justin Theroux, known for 'The Leftovers' and 'Fallout,' also features. 'Maniac' is streaming on Netflix.
