Maniac (miniseries)

Maniac
Genre
Created by Patrick Somerville
Based on
Maniac
by
Developed by
Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga
Starring
Composer(s) Dan Romer
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of episodes 10 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)
  • Patrick Somerville
  • Cary Joji Fukunaga
  • Michael Sugar
  • Doug Wald
  • Jonah Hill
  • Emma Stone
  • Pal Kristiansen
  • Anne Kolbjørnsen
  • Espen Huseby
Producer(s)
  • Carol Cuddy
  • Jessica Levin
  • Jon Mallard
Cinematography Darren Lew
Editor(s)
  • Tim Streeto
  • Pete Beaudreau
Camera setup Single-camera
Running time 26–47 minutes
Production company(s)
Release
Original network Netflix
Original release September 21, 2018 (2018-09-21)
External links
Official website

Maniac is an American psychological dark comedy-drama web television miniseries based on the Norwegian television series of the same name by Espen PA Lervaag, Håakon Bast Mossige, Kjetil Indregard, and Ole Marius Araldsen, that premiered on September 21, 2018 on Netflix. The series, created by Patrick Somerville and directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, follows two strangers who connect during a mind-bending pharmaceutical trial. It stars Emma Stone, Jonah Hill, Justin Theroux, Sonoya Mizuno, Gabriel Byrne, and Sally Field.

The series was officially announced in March 2016 with Netflix ordering the production straight-to-series that same month. Upon release, the series received positive reviews from critics, with many praising its visuals, direction and acting, particularly the performances of Stone and Hill.

Premise

Maniac follows "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, the fifth son of wealthy New York industrialists, 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, Dr. James K. Mantleray, claims can repair anything about the mind, be it mental illness or heartbreak—draws them and ten other strangers to the facilities of Neberdine Pharmaceutical and Biotech for a three-day drug trial that will, they’re assured, with no complications or side-effects whatsoever, solve all of their problems, permanently."[1]

Cast and characters

Main

  • Emma Stone as Annie Landsberg, a woman who dwells unhealthily on her imperfect relationships with her mother and sister. Stone also portrays Linda Marino, Arlie Kane, Annia, and Ruth in the B-pill induced dreams.
  • Jonah Hill as Owen Milgrim, the son of a wealthy family who potentially has schizophrenia. Having decided to make his way without his family's assistance, Milgrim struggles to hold a job and provide for himself. Hill also portrays Bruce Marino, Oliver "Ollie" Hightower, and Snorri in the B-pill induced dreams.
  • Justin Theroux as Dr. James K. Mantleray, a scientist working on the Neberdine Pharmaceutical Biotech (NPB) experiment. Previously removed from the experiment's team, Mantleray is brought back on following the death of Dr. Robert Muramoto.
  • Sonoya Mizuno as Dr. Azumi Fujita, a scientist who runs the NPB experiment. She feels immense pressure to provide results from the experiment to her superiors.
  • Gabriel Byrne as Porter Milgrim, a wealthy industrialist and father to Owen and his siblings.
  • Sally Field as Dr. Greta Mantleray, a famous therapist and the mother of Dr. James K. Mantleray. Field also portrays Lady Neberdine and provides the voice of GRTA, a smart computer used in the NPB experiment that has a deep emotional relationship with Dr. Muramoto and reacts strongly to his death.

Recurring

  • Kathleen Choe as 3, a test subject in the NPB Phase III experiment.
  • Danny Hoch as 5, a test subject in the NPB Phase III experiment.
  • Allyce Beasley as Amelia, test subject #11 in the NPB Phase III experiment.
  • Stephen Hill as D'Nail, test subject #7 in the NPB Phase III experiment.
  • James Monroe Iglehart as Carl, an orderly at Neberdine Pharmaceutical and Biotech working on the NPB Phase III experiment.
  • Dai Ishiguro as Head Control Tech, an employee at Neberdine Pharmaceutical and Biotech working on the NPB Phase III experiment.
  • Sejal Shah as First Medical Tech, an employee at Neberdine Pharmaceutical and Biotech working on the NPB Phase III experiment.
  • Billy Magnussen as Jed Milgrim, one of Owen's brothers who is put on trial for sexual misconduct. Magnussen also portrays Grimsson, a man whom Owen hallucinates that looks nearly identical to Jed.
  • Julia Garner as Ellie Landsberg, Annie's deceased younger sister whose death she feels responsible for.
  • Nate Craig as Phil
  • Jemima Kirke as Adelaide, Jed's fiancée whom Owen has feelings for.
  • Jesse Magnussen
  • Alexandra Curran as Holly Milgrim
  • Rome Kanda as Dr. Robert Muramoto, a colleague of Dr. Fujita.
  • Aaralyn Anderson as Belle Milgrim / Danielle Marino / Australia
  • Cailin and Hannah Loesch as the McMurphy Twins, guests at the Full Moon Séance. The Loeschs also portray the Ladies of Arquesta.
  • Trudie Styler as Angelica Milgrim, Owen's mother and Porter's wife.
  • Christian DeMarais as Mike Milgrim, one of Owen's brothers.
  • Geoffrey Cantor as Frank, the Milgrim family's lawyer that is representing Jed.
  • Ramya Pratt as Vicky / Green Hoodie Woman
  • Josh Pais as Andy
  • Ariel Kavoussi as Audra, an AdBuddy employee that Annie considers signing up with. Kavoussi also portrays Bianca Forsythe and provides the voice of Dragonfly.
  • Mike Masters as Ron Johnson
  • Grace van Patten as Olivia Meadows, Owen's former crush whom he yelled at while experiencing his first BLIP (brief and limited psychosis) in college.
  • Lev Gorn as Sokolov
  • Hank Azaria as Hank Landsberg, Annie's father
  • Selenis Leyva as Patricia Lugo, the intake director at Neberdine Pharmaceutical and Biotech whom Annie blackmails into getting into NBD's drug study.
  • Mariko Kai
  • Maho Honda as Intake Tech, an employee at Neberdine Pharmaceutical and Biotech.
  • Leo Fitzpatrick as Lance, a smuggler of exotic wildlife for use in clothing and one of Sebastian's two sons.
  • Jojo Gonzalez as Agent Lopez, a New York Fish and Wildlife officer searching for a ring-tailed lemur taken from the nursing home that Linda works at.
  • Maxine Prescott as Mrs. Finklestein, an elderly woman that lives in Owen's apartment building. Prescott also portrays Harriet, a resident of the old folks home that Linda works at.
  • Joseph Sikora as JC, a smuggler of exotic wildlife for use in clothing and one of Sebastian's two sons.
  • David Fierro as Bobby, Olliver Hightower's driver. Fiero also portrays an AdBuddy employee that Owen hires.
  • Glenn Wein as Lord Jopling, a guest at the Full Moon Séance. Wein also portrays an AdBuddy employee with halitosis that Owen hires.
  • Jacqueline Grabois as Annie's Roommate
  • Jonathan Rentler as Greg Nazlund, a semi-truck driver who crashed into Annie's car five years ago killing her sister Ellie.
  • Zac Shearon as Young Boy in a Truck / Young Soldier
  • Lauren Banks as Winged Nymph / Prosecutor

Guest

  • Marcus Toji as Calvin ("Windmills"), Annie's drug dealer that initially supplies her with NPB's A-pills, to which she is addicted. She goes to him for more and, after informing her that he is all out, suggests that she sign up for one of NPB's drug studies.
  • Glenn Fleshler as Sebastian ("Furs by Sebastian"), the owner of a fur shop, Furs by Sebastian, that is creating clothing out of exotic animals. Linda and Bruce attempt to take back a ring-tailed lemur that he had stolen from them.
  • Jennifer Ikeda as Therapist ("Option C"), Owen's therapist at the Horton Psychiatric Facility where he is sent after condemning his brother in court.

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"The Chosen One!"Cary Joji FukunagaPatrick SomervilleSeptember 21, 2018 (2018-09-21)
Owen Milgrim is a man suffering from a severe case of schizophrenia that he is hiding from his family including seeing an imaginary brother named Grimsson (who looks like his brother Jed with a moustache) who keeps reminding him that he is on a mission of some kind. His family runs a successful industrial business and are protecting Jed from accusations of sexual misconduct, something Owen plans on defending him from by claiming to have witnessed the event. Eventually, Owen is fired from his job and refuses his father's offer of working with his company and accepting his money. He hears about Neberdine and signs on to test their new drug. While there, he meets the anti-social Annie Landsberg, who Grimsson explains is the agent he needs to see. After speaking to her, Annie confirms her association to him, but tells him not to "blow [their] cover". Owen complies as he prepares for the tests.
2"Windmills"Cary Joji FukunagaPatrick SomervilleSeptember 21, 2018 (2018-09-21)
Annie smokes in her apartment by herself, crushing up one of NPB's A-pills while cursing "This is it, this is the last one." Upon waking from her sober dream, Annie gathers her possession, a photo of a young woman, it is revealed she will be going to Salt Lake City in a conversation with an AdBuddy. With her last $20, Annie visits her father who now resides in A-Void pod, she informs him that she will be going to Salt Lake City. Leaving with a sum of cash and a revolver. Annie visits a "DOX STOP", which is an agency that advertises to scrub personal records for a fee, also blackmails these "scrubbed" personal records for a fee, Annie decides to pay for Patrica Lugo's personal information and decides to intercept her latest appointment as her Friend Proxy appointment. As Annie's facade crumbles at Patrica's inquest, Patrica insists that Annie tell her 'why' she wants to be in her pharmaceutical trials. Annie hints at a rift between her and her sister. At the drug trial, after taking the A pill, Annie relives the traumatic loss of her sister.
3"Having a Day"Cary Joji FukunagaPatrick Somerville & Caroline WilliamsSeptember 21, 2018 (2018-09-21)
Annie, Owen, and test subject 5 are removed from the group for questioning after the "A" pill test. Annie's results showed prior experience with the pills, and Owen's indicated he didn't take the pill at all. Outside Dr. Muramoto's office, Owen confides to Annie that he refrained in case she needed to activate him. Dr. Muramoto has Owen recount his core trauma during the session. Insisting he ingested a pill, Owen describes a family gathering that led to his attempted suicide. Dr. Muramoto disbelieves Owen and forces him to take an "A" pill. Later while questioning Annie, Dr. Muramoto falls forward and dies abruptly. Fearing dismissal, Annie and Owen remove negative indicators from their files and leave Dr. Muramoto at his desk. Owen tells Annie his actual trauma experience: a psychotic break and meeting Grimsson for the first time. Dr. Fujita reenlists Dr. Mantleray to lead the project after Dr. Muramoto is found dead. Dr. Mantleray informs GRTA that Dr. Muramoto has died, and GRTA's reaction causes a hardware malfunction that links Annie and Owen during the next phase of "B" pill testing.
4"Furs by Sebastian"Cary Joji FukunagaPatrick Somerville & Nick CuseSeptember 21, 2018 (2018-09-21)
Annie and Owen have a shared fantasy that they are a married couple, Lin and Bruce. Lin works at a hospice and enlists Bruce's aid in tracking down Wendy, a lemur belonging to one of her patients, Nan. Wendy was stolen by furriers to make into a hat. Lin and Bruce are caught by the furrier and his sons who plan to make them watch them skin Wendy. The Fish and Wildlife Service arrive and get into a shootout with the furrier and his sons. Bruce and Lin escape with Wendy. Lin delivers Wendy to Nan's estranged daughter, Paula Nazlund, as instructed. Lin realizes that she gave Paula the lemur out of hate rather than love as she loved Wendy more than Paula. Paula informs Lin she is pregnant with a son she will call "Greg 'Fuck you Nan' Nazlund", the name of the man driving the truck that hit Annie and her sister. Returning home Lin recounts a memory of her and her sister that is actually from Annie's life. At home Bruce is arrested by Fish and Wildlife, claiming he is solely responsible for stealing Wendy. He sees Grimsson watching from the street.
5"Exactly Like You"Cary Joji FukunagaCaroline Williams & Mauricio KatzSeptember 21, 2018 (2018-09-21)
Under the influence of the B Pill, Annie and Owen have transitioned into a shared fantasy where they are Arlie and Ollie, two con artist magicians in the 1940s invited to a séance at an exclusive house party. They have an ulterior motive: to find the long lost 53rd chapter of Cervantes' Don Quixote, believed to possess the power to hold people in their fantasies for an eternity. The séance, led by a humanized GRTA computer, provides a distraction for the two to search the house. All the while, Arlie's character has been randomly "zapping" out of the fantasy and into the NPB lab, where she sees visions of the real Annie's past. Back at the NPB lab, Azumi begins to notice the inconsistencies between subjects 1 and 9, realizing their unusual connection under the influence of the drugs. Annie is subsequently taken into questioning by Dr. Mantleray about her experiences with the B Pill to see if she should continue her participation in the trial, while Owen and the rest of the subjects wake up from their comas.
6"Larger Structural Issues"Cary Joji FukunagaPatrick Somerville & Nick CuseSeptember 21, 2018 (2018-09-21)
Annie realizes that her experiences with Owen on the "B" pill are unique, causing her to feel close to him. Owen however worries that being connected to Annie in his dreams is a symptom of his schizophrenia causing him to doubt the study. Azumi fears that Annie and Owen's connection is being caused by the GRTA computer and reveals to James that GRTA is depressed because after Azumi coded her with basic empathy GRTA began a workplace romance with Dr. Muramoto and is now in grief over his death. At the behest of Azumi and GRTA, James reluctantly calls in his mother, pop psychologist Dr. Greta Mantleray, with whom he has a contentious and difficult relationship so that she can treat GRTA. The subjects are given the "C" pill and begin the final phase of the trial.
7"Ceci N'est Pas Une Drill"Cary Joji FukunagaAmelia Gray & Danielle HendersonSeptember 21, 2018 (2018-09-21)
Annie dreams she is in a fantasy epic with her sister where she is a drunken elf ranger called Annia and her sister is an elf princess named Ellia. Annia is being paid by a dying Ellia to take her to the Lake of the Clouds where the waters are rumored to cure her. Along the way they are taken to a mysterious queen who allows Annia to look in a mirror, where she sees an image of her and Ellie when they are children and remembers who she is in the real world. Meanwhile, Owen dreams that he and his family are mobsters and that he must wear a wire and inform on them. He meets Olivia, a fellow student who also works as a waitress, and agrees to study with her later.
8"The Lake of the Clouds"Cary Joji FukunagaMauricio Katz & Nick CuseSeptember 21, 2018 (2018-09-21)
Annie is still trapped in the fantasy sequence, though now she realizes the world is a dream. She and Ellia continue their quest to find the Lake of Clouds. Ellia begins to remember things from Annie and Ellie's past as well. Owen the mobster accidentally discovers that his brother, Jed, has been working undercover for the police, but Jed is killed leading Owen to go into witness protection. He asks Olivia to come with him, but seven children later he leaves her by jumping out a window. Remembering who he is and remembering Annie he transforms into a hawk and travels into the fantasy realm of Annia and Ellia. Annia and Ellia arrive at the Lake of Clouds which is actually the place where Ellie was killed. GRTA as Queen Gertrude arrives and offers to let Annie stay forever. Annie accepts believing that she will be able to stay with Ellie but is instead spirited away from her.
9"Utangatta"Cary Joji FukunagaPatrick SomervilleSeptember 21, 2018 (2018-09-21)
10"Option C"Cary Joji FukunagaPatrick Somerville & Cary Joji FukunagaSeptember 21, 2018 (2018-09-21)

Production

Promotional poster featuring Annie Landsberg (Emma Stone) and Owen Milgrim (Jonah Hill).

Development

On March 18, 2016, it was announced that Paramount Television and Anonymous Content were producing a television series to be directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga. The half-hour dark comedy series was reported to be executive produced by Fukunaga, Emma Stone and Jonah Hill, Michael Sugar, and Doug Wald. Ashley Zalta was also announced as a co-executive producer. At the time, the series was being shopped to various networks and was searching for a writer.[2] Less than a week later, it was announced that Netflix was finalizing a deal for a straight-to-series order for a first season consisting of ten episodes.[3][4] On October 21, 2016, it was announced that Patrick Somerville would write the series.[5] On July 29, 2018, it was announced during the annual Television Critics Association's summer press tour that the series would premiere on September 21, 2018.[1]

Casting

Alongside the initial series announcement, it was reported that Emma Stone and Jonah Hill were finalizing deals to star in the series.[2] In August 2017, it was announced that Sonoya Mizuno had been cast as a series regular and that Justin Theroux and Julia Garner would appear in a recurring capacity.[6][7][8][9][10] On September 13, 2017, it was reported that Jemima Kirke had been cast in a recurring role.[11] On October 5, 2017, it was announced that Sally Field had joined the cast in a recurring role.[12][13] On February 23, 2018, it was reported Billy Magnussen been cast in the series.[14]

Filming

Principal photography for the series began on August 15, 2017 in New York City and was expected to conclude by the end of November 2017.[15]

Release

Marketing

On April 18, 2018, Netflix released the first official images from the series.[16] On July 29, 2018, a teaser trailer for the series was released.[1] About a week later, the official trailer was released.[17]

Premiere

On September 13, 2018, the series held its world premiere at the Southbank Centre in London, England.[18] On September 20, 2018, the series held its American premiere at Center 415 in New York City.[19]

Reception

The series has been met with a positive response from critics upon its premiere. On the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds an 80% approval rating, with an average rating of 7.48 out of 10 based on 65 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "Maniac enthralls with its dazzling visuals, adventurous narrative, and striking performances from both Emma Stone and Jonah Hill."[20] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the series a score of 76 out of 100 based on 24 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews."[21]

In a positive review, Variety's Daniel D'Addario commended the series saying, "The beautifully made Maniac plunges viewers into a fictional world that’s both divergent from our own and instantly recognizable — and then reinvents itself several times over, skittering across time, space and genre to tell a story of connection that feels urgent and deeply, painfully human...As a trial of something new, Maniac passes every test, and ascends instantly to take its place among the very best TV of the year."[22] In another favorable assessment, The Washington Post's Hank Stuever described the series as "oddly mesmerizing" and offered it qualified praise saying, "Maniac starts off too absorbed in its own complicated structure, but once Owen and Annie are strapped in at the lab (and experience an accidental melding of their subconscious states), the show becomes a visually compelling romp through highly detailed dreams and personal discoveries."[23]

In a more negative critique, Darren Franich of Entertainment Weekly awarded the series a grade of "C-" and criticized it saying, "For all its manic poses and deflationary snark, it’s ultimately patronizingly sentimental. [...] Maniac asks big questions about reality, and then settles for the limpest possible cinematic representations of that reality."[24]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Ramos, Dino-Ray (July 29, 2018). "'Maniac': Netflix Sets Premiere Date, Releases Teaser For Emma Stone & Jonah Hill Dark Comedy – TCA". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  2. 1 2 Andreeva, Nellie (March 18, 2016). "Emma Stone & Jonah Hill To Star & Cary Fukunaga To Direct 'Maniac' Dark Comedy Series For Paramount TV & Anonymous". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  3. ↑ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (March 24, 2016). "Netflix Lands Emma Stone, Jonah Hill, Cary Fukunaga Series 'Maniac'". Variety. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  4. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (March 24, 2016). "Netflix Lands Emma Stone, Jonah Hill & Cary Fukunaga Paramount TV/Anonymous Comedy With Series Order". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  5. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (October 21, 2016). "Netflix Emma Stone-Jonah Hill Series 'Maniac' From Cary Fukunaga Finds Writer". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  6. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (August 17, 2017). "Justin Theroux To Co-Star In Emma Stone-Jonah Hill Netflix Series 'Maniac' At Par TV". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  7. ↑ Petski, Denise (August 22, 2017). "'Maniac': Sonoya Mizuno Cast As Regular & Julia Garner To Recur In Emma Stone-Jonah Hill Netflix Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  8. ↑ Stanhope, Kate (August 17, 2017). "Justin Theroux Joins Emma Stone-Jonah Hill Netflix Series 'Maniac'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  9. ↑ Roots, Kimberly (August 17, 2017). "Justin Theroux Joins Maniac Netflix Comedy With Emma Stone, Jonah Hill". TVLine. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  10. ↑ Otterson, Joe (August 17, 2017). "Justin Theroux to Guest Star on Emma Stone, Jonah Hill Netflix Series 'Maniac'". Variety. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  11. ↑ Petski, Denise (September 13, 2017). "'Maniac': Jemima Kirke Set To Recur In Emma Stone-Jonah Hill Netflix Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  12. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (October 5, 2017). "'Maniac': Sally Field Joins Cast Of Emma Stone-Jonah Hill Netflix Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  13. ↑ Sandberg, Bryn Elise (October 5, 2017). "Sally Field Cast in Emma Stone-Jonah Hill Netflix Series". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  14. ↑ Boone, John (February 23, 2018). "Billy Magnussen Is on Fire and He's Only Getting Hotter (Exclusive)". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  15. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (February 1, 2017). "Emma Stone-Jonah Hill Series 'Maniac' For Netflix & Paramount TV Gets Production Start Date With Cary Fukunaga Directing". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  16. ↑ Schwartz, Ryan (April 18, 2018). "Maniac: Your First Look at Emma Stone and Jonah Hill's Trippy Netflix Series". TVLine. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  17. ↑ Haring, Bruce (August 6, 2018). "'Maniac' Miniseries Releases First-Look Trailer And Key Art Before Netflix Bow". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  18. ↑ Arthur, Andrew (September 13, 2018). "Emma Stone and Justin Theroux appear at Maniac world premiere in London". Irish Independent. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Inside the New York Premiere of Maniac". Town & Country. September 21, 2018. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Maniac". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  21. ↑ "Maniac". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  22. ↑ D'Addario, Daniel (September 13, 2018). "TV Review: 'Maniac' With Emma Stone and Jonah Hill". Variety. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  23. ↑ Stuever, Hank (September 13, 2018). "10 new shows to check out this fall, including 'Murphy Brown,' 'Camping' and 'Forever'". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  24. ↑ Franich, Darren (September 13, 2018). "Netflix's dreamy Maniac miniseries fails in every reality: EW review". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
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