Beautifully written, perfectly acted. The layers and layers of complexity, reference to literature, philosophy, art, technology and medicine, all wrapped-up in a retro-future setting make for a delightful, loving experience about healing and hope. This is one of the best mini-series I've ever seen in a long time. It takes its time to deliver a perfect ending, that makes you wonder about everything you have seen.
Maniac, what a bold show. This show is possible the most visually appealing show on Netflix. From the poster you can tell the amazing use of color and it carries over strong into the show. What a world, what a set. Everything about this series is completely thought out and you feel transported into their world. It's similar enough to our world to feel comfortable but with a taste of dystopia. Truly, this show encompasses how I feel that Jonah Hill's character must feel at all times in his world. It makes you sad, it makes you curious, it makes you happy, and best of all it makes you feel as confused as he is everyday as the show goes on.
What a weird and spectacular little series. I loved the retro-futurist 70s/80s aesthetic and how everything fit together like a puzzle. Full of incredible performances through several genres all in one weird sci-fi story.
One day I will sit down to write a thorough review but, for now, hear this:
Maniac is one of the best series to have ever been made, and it's cult following will come to it in due time. It is heartfelt and heart-wrenching; it is mesmerizing and enchanting; it is empathetic and thoughtful in every regard. The creators put so much love into every tiny detail of this show and, believe me, you catch something new with every single re-watch. This is the only piece of media I refuse to hear any other word about.
Take your time to fall in love with this short series, and it will reward you.
MANIAC is really not for everyone, given its weird premise and multiple realities, but at its very core is a multi-layered and complex story of friendship, family, loyalty, mental illness and addictions. A mini series with a smart message about hope and finding true forgiveness within.
This was the biggest surprise of 2018 for me. I randomly clicked on it because I liked the title. The first episode completely captivated me. The plot was so weird and surprising, I just wanted to keep on watching. The acting was a+, especially Jonah Hill, Emma Stone and Justin Theroux were brilliant. Everything about this spoke to me. It definitely isn't for everyone, but I think that if you like it, you love it.
THIS SHOW IS AMAZING. If u like mindfucks go for it, u will enjoy a lot. Gave it 9 because the first episodes are kinda slow but when it gets to the experiments part it just goes from good to ABSOFUCKINGLUTELY AMAZING. One of the best shows I ever watched. Hope it gets more seasons
I loved every second of it. Plus I think it's both actors in their best roles yet.
Don't let the description mislead you, this isn't a comedy series. There are elements of Sci-fi & fantasy but it's mostly a slow burn drama. Also, it's definitely not meant for everyone.
It's not for everyone and comedy is at times "cringe" which may take you out of its complex story.
TV-Show itself is very pleasing to watch with its retro-futuristic aesthetics and great acting from its cast who fit into their role really well.
Story is a slow-burn but it beautiful wraps all up in the end with satisfying conclusion. It's my personal opinion, please don't hate. )
3 Thoughts After Completing ‘Maniac’:
This series didn’t grab me at first. I wasn’t quick to binge it, at all. But, as the series went along, I discovered something that was wonderfully weird, surprisingly shocking at times, and wholly original.
I came out of this with a better appreciation for Emma Stone. She really is such a wonderful actress. Jonah has his moments for sure, but his downtrodden Owen can get a tad exhausting after awhile.
I think my biggest takeaway from this show is that, while it may appear to be merely quirky and imaginative, there are some pretty powerful messages here, some potent and emotional moments. So much is explored: loneliness, mental illness, loss, grief, purpose, friendship, addiction, family, and the courage to grab your life by the reigns. And it allows you to fill in the blanks without spelling everything out for you.
This is bold, rich, it's got personality and identity, a great cast, an amazing look and very good direction. It's interesting, deep, thrilling, funny and moving at times. But even though in many ways it's perfectly fitted for long form, I can't shake the feeling that it could have been better as a movie.
Wow. Absolutely awesome. Good story, enjoyed Emma's play.
I loved this show, might be because I've worked in mental health for so long... I don't know but I loved it. I think it tackled stigmas very well and watching the two of them tackle their inner daemon's (or literally shoot them in the face) was entertaining to me. And Emma stone is a brilliant actress, and I might add she looks like a million bucks in 20's attire.
Essentially, a wholesome and cute show! Not for everyone definitely as themes include topics that are hard to understand if you don't go through it. Might be boring if you can't relate making it absolutely wholesome for people who go through similar experiences as protagonists and frustrations with therapists. Loved the 60s/70s vibe that focused on the rise of day to day Japanese technology.
The catharsis in last two episodes barely makes it enough for the worth-it finish line, because mostly this feels pretty thin, half-baked, and stretched throughout; I feel like only the first story ("Furs by Sebastian") works completely as a self-contained, entertaining side-story by itself. Biggest liability is Jonah Hill, who is given a thankless role and also doesn't have enough interiority for his character to feel uninterestingly dead-eyed and catatonic most of the time. Partly why the penultimate episode is the best for me, apart from Stone's powerhouse moment of catharsis, is that Hill is finally given something to do (and in his wheelhouse of over-the-top energetic comedy too), so his half of the story works too. Second favorite is the sixth one ("Larger Structural Issues"), where Justin Theroux and Sally Field have a gloriously twisted time as one dysfunctional mother-son duo. Production design proves far livelier than the competent direction, but Emma Stone is the reason to watch this, always magnetic, lighting up even the dull spots, and adapting completely to every different note she is given.
Gave it about 35 minutes and that was more than enough
1/10
This TV show just seems to be about people meandering around acting miserable and awkward.
The world is meant to be a weird reflection on reality. But it has some ideas that were so goofball that I had to stop for a few moments to comprehend what was supposed to be happening on-screen. Like "Ad Buddy", which in this story is a way to pay for a service by having a real physical actor approach you and just read advertisements out to you one-on-one. The world-building (which seems to be the main focus of the first couple of episodes) is extremely shallow. The world really makes zero sense.
I like to imagine this show is going somewhere but I'm already bored and I've checked out.
what a waste of my bloody time.
Starts out ok with a Black Mirror kind of feel but soon degenerates into self indulgent "quirkiness" and loses its way to end up just another wacky show trying to say something about modern life and failing miserably. 5 out of 10 for effort, could do better Netflix!
I should know better, every REAL original sucks. maybe in the beginning of netflix there were good ones. Still I sometimes have hope, and it got always smashed. And please netflix make a difference between originals, real ones, and exclusives. The good shows aren't originals though :-D
it's confusing, which means the show is daring and smart
Weirdest show I’ve seen in a while. It was somehow all over the place. Reality was not much different to what they experienced in therapy which made it even weirder and was actually the reason why I didn’t enjoy it as much. Took 2 tries to finish this show.
Best part of the Icelandic-Austrian-too-many-other-country-to-remember accent!
Terrible show that isn't funny nor interesting. None of the characters are likeable. I forced myself to watch the first 3 epidodes and then I gave up. Don't waste your r
time!
I love blow mind projects and this one belogs to this category.It was something different not the perfect tv show or something even special but i enjoyed it a lot.Emma Stone and Johan Hill made it look 5 times better without them i don't know if i would continue watching but their chemistry was brilliant. 7.5/10
A couple episodes really saved this mini-series for me. Throughout most of this, I kept asking myself what I was watching, but in the end, there was enough semblance of a storyline that I was able to see the true purpose of this series.
I loved every single little bit of it!!!
I loved every single little bit of it!!!
Boring and each chapter get worse. I thought that maybe one more chapter will make sense as there are only 10. But not every one is a story without sense. I don't understand what see the people that give a good mark about that.
5 hours throwed to thrash...
i absolutely loved the tone of the humor and the overall performances. it was an emotional roller coaster in addition to lsd and it was great
Good actors, was hoping for a lot more, I want to say bad storyline but I really don't think there was one?
this show was really bizarre. Only the last 10 mins of the last episode was good
Shout by Neal MahoneyVIP 8BlockedParent2018-09-22T22:16:49Z
A weird show that is not for everybody but I really enjoyed it. I love the world they set up with all the little gadgets and advertising. The performances from Emma Stone and Jonah Hill were both fantastic. I like how they were able to do really different stories throughout the season to mix things up. There were a lot of funny parts too.