Manic
A volatile teenager and his fellow patients confront trauma, anger, and institutional failure inside a juvenile psychiatric ward.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- grim
- confrontational
- intimate
- intense drama night
- character study viewing
What critics said
Critics generally found the emotionally grim adolescent drama elevated by a strong ensemble cast, while noting that its material could feel clichéd.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The juvenile psychiatric institution provides the central social environment, while the patients' problems are connected to wider failures in society.
Lyle and the other patients interact within the Northwood juvenile wing, producing confrontational yet human moments of connection.
Lyle's violent outbursts and the other youths' serious problems make teenage rage a central psychological and social concern.
Most of the drama unfolds among patients and staff in the juvenile wing of Northwood Mental Institution.
Films like Manic, and why
The Basketball Diaries
shared focus on troubled adolescents, institutional confinement, emotional volatility, and raw ensemble drama
Thirteen
shared coming-of-age drama, damaged young people, addiction and abuse, and unvarnished psychological intensity
Girl, Interrupted
shared ensemble of marginalized youths, group therapy dynamics, and compassionate examination of adolescent trauma
Short Term 12
shared socially conscious institutional drama, volatile young protagonists, and emphasis on empathy over easy diagnoses
Movie Details
- Director
- Jordan Melamed
- Release Date
- 2002-11-22
- Runtime
- 102 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (122)
Cast
- Joseph Gordon-Levitt
- Don Cheadle
- Zooey Deschanel
- Michael Bacall
- Elden Henson
- Cody Lightning
- Sara Rivas
- William Richert
- Blayne Weaver
- Maggie Baird
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Manic about?
- A volatile teenager and his fellow patients confront trauma, anger, and institutional failure inside a juvenile psychiatric ward.
- What is Manic like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Manic as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Manic violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Manic as moderate.
- What did critics think of Manic?
- Critics generally found the emotionally grim adolescent drama elevated by a strong ensemble cast, while noting that its material could feel clichéd.
- Which films are like Manic?
- Films with a similar feel include The Basketball Diaries, Thirteen, Girl, Interrupted, and Short Term 12.
- How long is Manic?
- Manic runs 102 minutes.
- Where can I watch Manic?
- In United States, Manic streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
