Maniac (2018)

Maniac (2018) season 1 on Netflix
Watch Maniac (2018) on Netflix
Status:
Ended
Season 1:
Ended on September 21, 2018
Watched: 0%
0 of 10 Episodes
I'm caught up!
Notification Preferences

Notes:

TVDB
IMDB
/r/maniac
Season: 1
# Air Date Episode Name Watched?
E1 Sep 21, 2018 The Chosen One!
E2 Sep 21, 2018 Windmills
E3 Sep 21, 2018 Having a Day
E4 Sep 21, 2018 Furs by Sebastian
E5 Sep 21, 2018 Exactly Like You
E6 Sep 21, 2018 Larger Structural Issues
E7 Sep 21, 2018 Ceci N’est Pas une Drill
E8 Sep 21, 2018 The Lake of the Clouds
E9 Sep 21, 2018 Utangatta
E10 Sep 21, 2018 Option C
Mark Series:
Watched / Unwatched
Mark Season 1:
Watched / Unwatched
Production Note - Limited Series
Production Type:
Limited Series

Maniac (2018) is a standalone Limited Series that concluded its 10-episode run in September 2018. Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga and starring Emma Stone and Jonah Hill, the project was conceived as a high-concept psychological exploration within a retro-futuristic landscape. The production was notable for its cinematic scale, utilizing complex practical sets and diverse genre shifts to mirror the shifting mental states of the protagonists during a mysterious pharmaceutical trial.

The narrative was intentionally structured to provide a complete emotional arc for its lead characters, Annie and Owen, moving from isolation to mutual connection. Creator Patrick Somerville and the creative team designed the story to resolve all major plot threads by the final episode, leaving no room for a traditional second season. This approach allowed the series to function as a self-contained cinematic experience, prioritizing a definitive thematic resolution over long-term franchise potential.

Maniac is a 10-episode American psychological dark comedy-drama miniseries based on the Norwegian television series of the same name. It was created by Patrick Somerville, directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, and premiered on Netflix.
Confidence: 100% Last Refined: March 2026
Why Watch:
"A retro-futuristic deep dive into the mind where reality is a choice and connection is the cure."
Series Analysis:
Cary Joji Fukunaga’s Maniac stands as a landmark of high-concept streaming. By merging retro-futurism with a deep exploration of loneliness, the series moved beyond its pharmaceutical trial premise to become a profound study of shared trauma. Its legacy is defined by the chameleon-like performances of Emma Stone and Jonah Hill, who navigated diverse psychological landscapes with grace. Unlike typical dramas, Maniac avoided unnecessary expansion, providing a finite emotional arc that valued healing over complex world-building. It forced audiences to engage with the reality of mental health through a lens of surrealist empathy. Today, its footprint is visible in the rise of stylized, auteur-driven limited series. Stay vigilant with your alerts; set a reminder now to ensure you never miss news regarding potential spin-offs or future collaborations from this creative team.
Tone: Cerebral, empathetic, and visually evocative. Last Updated: March 2026
Frequently Asked Questions

No, Maniac was developed as a standalone limited series with a definitive conclusion for its characters. Director Cary Joji Fukunaga and creator Patrick Somerville have confirmed there are no plans for a second season unless the show were to return as an entirely different anthology.

The series is not based on a true story or a novel, but is instead a remake of a 2014 Norwegian television series of the same name. While it adopts the original premise of a man living in a fantasy world within a psychiatric institution, the 2018 version features unique characters and a retro-futuristic aesthetic.

The series was filmed primarily on location in New York City, including various neighborhoods in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Specific scenes were also captured at the Untermyer Gardens in Yonkers and at Silvercup Studios in Long Island City.

The complete series consists of exactly 10 episodes, which were all released simultaneously on Netflix. The episodes vary in duration, ranging from approximately 26 to 47 minutes in length.

The series stars Emma Stone as Annie Landsberg and Jonah Hill as Owen Milgrim, marking their first major collaboration since the 2007 film Superbad. They are supported by an ensemble cast that includes Justin Theroux, Sally Field, and Sonoya Mizuno.

The story centers on two strangers who join a radical pharmaceutical trial involving three distinct pills designed to map and repair the human mind. As they undergo the experiment, their consciousnesses begin to merge, leading them through a series of shared hallucinations and alternate realities.
FAQs Updated: March 2026
Featured Characters (2)
See All (6)
Network:
Netflix
Seasons:
1
Years:
2018 - 2018
Genre:
Science Fiction, Mini-Series, Drama, Comedy
Rating:
TV-14
Support us on Facebook

Login

Sign Up

Forgot Password