Matthew Glossop-Freebody

I don't do reviews. Not usually, especially not on TV shows or films. Tonight I feel compelled to leave this review after watching the final few episodes of 'Maniac'. A friend shared the trailer a few months ago and I remember thinking, this looks like something I would go to see at the cinema, not realising it was actually a TV show for Netflix. I was disappointed at first because I don't really do TV shows because of the time and commitment. I find most of them to have quantity over quality, rather than the other way around. I decided to give Maniac a watch for a few episodes before making my diagnosis, should I stay or should I go...I chose to stay after episode 3. Of course the acting is good, Emma Stone and Jonah Hill starring, I did not expect anything below superb. I know that this show is going to have its critics but I can't imagine most of them watched the whole series. This can't be judged on just one or two episodes, which I may add were a lot shorter than I expected. There are so many superlatives I would use for 'Maniac' but I think it would help you if I would describe more about what or why I enjoyed this show. Firstly the concept about the human mind and the questions it raises about what is really reality, is a good hook point, at least for me. At times, this show felt like it was homaging, either directly or indirectly to a lot of other pieces of film/TV. It reminded me a lot of Total Recall, and sometimes, it felt like this was something Philp K. Dick would write if he was with us today. It also strongly reminded me of the film, Cloud Atlas and reading a few negative reviews for 'Maniac' reminded me of the same negative reviews for Cloud Atlas. People just don't 'get it'. I think perhaps, you have to be at least curious about the human mind, emotions and reality vs non-reality, seeking a what does this all mean conclusion. Of course, the conclusion is never fully revealed, or is it? You'll have to watch. I also enjoyed the hints of nostalgia in this movie, from a character who was rarely without a lit cigarette in her hand (any film pre-1995), to the 'crazy' medical lab/scientist. There's some great humour hidden away too, perhaps some loosely nods to Garth Marenghi's Darkplace. This show has a number of layers and those who criticise it must just be stuck looking a layer 1. The concepts of Mania, depression, anxiety, trauma, schizophrenia, loss, grief, dissassociative, family, friends, love, romance, science, psychology, clinical drugs, therapy and so on, are quite outstanding for a 'Netflix' drama TV series. This show will always keep you guessing and wondering about what is real. I've even forgotten to mention the concept of Artificial Intelligence and Empathy, which reminded me of the Battlestar Galactic (remake). Stop reading and go and watch this now. You won't regret it.