The Underrated 84% RT Sci-Fi Masterpiece On Netflix
Maniac is a science fiction masterpiece that can only be watched on Netflix. Over the years, the streaming platform has dipped its toes into the genre with varying levels of success. While Netflix sci-fi shows like Black Mirror have become mega hits, others like The OA were canceled before they fully took off, despite having the potential to be great.
Sadly, Maniac has remained criminally underrated since its release in 2018, although it’s undoubtedly one of the most fascinating sci-fi series on Netflix. The best thing about Maniac is that it’s only one season long and has 10 episodes, so there’s no fear of the story being incomplete, especially because the Netflix sci-fi show has a perfect ending.
Maniac Is The Trippiest Sci-Fi Series On Netflix
Maniac Jonah Hill as Owen sitting and looking confused
Sci-fi TV shows are known for their remarkable subjects, ranging from artificial intelligence to space exploration. Maniac, however, isn’t a typical addition to the genre, as the subjects included in the series are totally mind-bending. Focusing on two characters, Owen and Annie, who are taking part in a pharmaceutical trial in order to heal their trauma, Maniac follows their journey through hallucinatory worlds.
Each episode of Maniac is unique, and often occurs in a different timeline with a visually stunning setting. Despite the combination of several stories in the show, Maniac is focused on its subject and never once loses sight of what it’s truly about. At its core, the series is sci-fi, but it also has elements of a surreal psychological thriller that will have audiences questioning what’s real and what isn’t.
It Doesn’t Get Better Than Maniac’s Cast & Creative Team
Maniac features a star-studded cast led by Jonah Hill and Emma Stone. Hill, who is known for his comedic roles in movies such as 21 Jump Street and Superbad, plays Owen Milgrim, a depressed young man who finds himself at a crossroads when he’s asked to lie for his brother in court.
The Oscar-winning Emma Stone takes on the role of Annie Landsberg, a woman living with a personality disorder. Supporting Stone and Hill, Maniac’s cast also includes other talented actors such as Justin Theroux, Julia Garner, Sally Field, and Rome Kanda.
Jonah Hill and Emma Stone also served as executive producers on Maniac.
While the cast is undoubtedly impressive, the creative minds behind the series are equally brilliant. The underrated sci-fi show was developed by Patrick Somerville, who is known for his work on The Bridge, The Leftovers, and Station Eleven. Maniac was directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, whose most notable work includes the first season of True Detective, one of the best crime dramas of all time.
Why Maniac Is A Sci-Fi Masterpiece
Maniac has an impressive 84% Rotten Tomatoes score from critics and audiences, and deservedly so. The sci-fi show does an impeccable job of blending several genres such as fantasy, crime, and historical drama. Instead of making Maniac feel overcrowded, the opposite is true, as what results is a complete story with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
The character-driven series is at times dark, but it’s also philosophical as it offers commentary on the human experience and mental health. But what truly stands out about Maniacis its cast, particularly its lead actors. Hill and Stone have great chemistry and seamlessly slip into their roles, whether they are exploring a fantasy world or stealing a secret chapter of Don Quixote.
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