Maniac
Starring: Emma Stone, Jonah Hill, Justin Theroux, Sonoya Mizuno, Sally Field
Directed by: Cary Fukunaga
It's been awhile since I've seen an original show on Netflix that has really caught my attention. That all changed this weekend with the release of Maniac. The limited series is captivating, heartfelt, and unafraid to take risks. It's sure to polarize viewers with its out-of-the-box premise, but this viewer is impressed.
The series is about Owen (Jonah Hill) and Annie (Emma Stone), struggling with mental health issues. They cope with their pain through fantasy instead of reality. They meet at a mysterious trial for a drug that is said to "eradicate past trauma". As they begin the trial, things go wrong in the lab and the two strangers find themselves mysteriously connected. Could it mean something?
Maniac commands the viewer's attention. Director Cary Fukunaga (Beasts of No Nation, Jane Eyre) directs it with such an intense eye for detail that not a single frame can go unnoticed. (Keep an eye out for the long take in Episode 9). Small details like visual cues or phrases might seem pointless, but they will come back as pivotal themes in Owen and Annie's storyline. The attention to detail carries over into the sets of Maniac. Mixing elements of 80’s influence and futuristic world building, the retrofuturistic world of Maniac is born. Whether it's an alternative New York cityscape, neon Stanley Kubrick-esque lab, or Lord of the Rings inspired fantasy world (Episode 7): every set is a sight to behold. Perhaps one of the most fascinating elements of the show are the companies that exist including: “Ad-Buddies” a company that follows you around to pay for you if you listen to ads all day, “Friend Proxy” a social service that allows you to pay a person to be friends with you, or “Marsupi-Pals” animatronic animals that will play games with people who are lonely. These things are all made up, but they provide a fascinating critique on our culture’s social media dependence as a cure for loneliness.
Screenwriter Patrick Summerville has done a fantastic job with an idea that probably should not work and brings it all together to make a very affecting show. The show juggles so many different genres including fantasy, spy thriller, and dark comedy. Somehow it all clicks with the knowledge it takes place in the confines of a drug trial. Themes of mental illness, family dysfunction, and personal trauma lie at the core of Maniac.
Although it may sound as if Maniac only deals in emotional complexity, the overarching theme of the show is a moving one. Even though bad things will happen to us, we have to try to keep going. We may not be able to do it alone and that's ok. There's no shame in asking for help.
Every member of this cast fits their roles brilliantly.
Emma Stone is unbelievably good as Annie. She begins the show as a depressed drug addict who hasn't recovered from an event that has emotionally scarred her. She goes on to play 5 different characters (all with different accents) including a 1980's housewife (Episode 4), 1940's spy (Episode 5), and an elf (Episode 7). Sounds crazy, I know. Each character is the result of a dream induced by the drug trial. Yet, each one connects to trauma Annie has suffered in her life. It's fascinating to see how each character's story unfolds and what it means to Annie. I don't want to give away spoilers, but I can say she ends up connecting with Owen throughout the trial in a shared dream. The two connect in a moving way and help each other through memories of past traumatic experiences. This is one of the most emotionally compelling Emma Stone performances I've ever seen.
This is Jonah Hill's "Jim Carrey in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" moment. Hill gives a deeply heartfelt and effective performance as Owen, a man dealing with schizophrenia and a disturbingly dysfunctional family. Owen has difficulty finding the line between what is fantasy and what is reality. He believes in "patterns" that he sees throughout the world. Annie is the complete opposite. She believes that everything is chaos. As the two get caught up in their dreams, it's clear that they need each other for balance or they wouldn't be able to confront their trauma.
Maniac's supporting cast is equally great. Sonoya Mizuno (Crazy Rich Asians) gives a memorable performance as Dr. Azumi Fujita, the head of the trial who also has agoraphobia. She is a particularly serious character who deadpans her way through every scene while chain-smoking. Despite her serious demeanor, Fujita has several humorous moments in the show. Justin Theroux plays Dr. James Mantleray, the doctor who invented the drug. He begins the show as an over-the-top cartoonish character, but eventually proves to be very interesting as his toxic relationship with his mother reveals itself. Sally Field plays a dual performance as Greta, Mantleray's therapist mother and GRTA, the depressed computer in the lab. It's Sally Field, so you already know she's great. Lastly, Julia Garner is a standout as Annie's sister, Ellie. Every scene between her and Emma Stone is incredibly emotional.
Packed with details and symbolism, Maniac fires on all cylinders. Every aspect from direction and acting to set design and music is phenomenal. If you take away all of the technical merits,Maniac weaves together a beautiful story of two people who find a meaningful connection in spite of the pain life has brought their way.