The Netflix Sci-Fi Show That Proves Emma Stone Can Do Literally Anything
If you think you’ve already seen every great Netflix show out there, think again. Hidden deep in the platform’s massive library is a mind-twisting sci-fi gem that most people completely overlooked — Maniac. Starring Emma Stone and Jonah Hill, this 2018 miniseries is one of Netflix’s most underrated projects, blending science fiction, dark humor, and emotional storytelling in a way few shows dare to try. It’s weird, it’s smart, and it’ll leave you questioning what’s real long after the credits roll.
A Sci-Fi Story That Feels Too Real
Maniac doesn’t fit into just one genre — and that’s what makes it so special. It’s part sci-fi, part drama, part comedy, with a sprinkle of romance and surreal dream logic. The story follows Annie (Emma Stone) and Owen (Jonah Hill), two broken souls who volunteer for a strange medical trial. The experiment promises to “cure” all emotional pain with just three pills and a bit of help from an advanced artificial intelligence.
But, of course, nothing goes as planned. Annie and Owen get trapped in a series of mind-bending simulations that blend memories, fantasies, and trauma into bizarre dreamscapes. Each pill drags them deeper into their subconscious — from road trips and fantasy quests to noir crime stories. And somehow, they keep ending up inside each other’s dreams, which should be impossible.
A Future That Feels Uncomfortably Close
What really makes Maniac stand out is its world — a version of the future that doesn’t feel that far away. Everything looks both futuristic and retro, like a mix between Blade Runner and a ‘90s office computer. People rent out their likenesses for money, hire fake friends to avoid loneliness, and even pay bills by letting strangers read ads to them.
It’s a hilarious but chilling take on where society could be headed — a world where every emotion can be medicated, every friendship can be bought, and every problem can be ignored. The Neberdine Pharmaceutical lab that runs the experiment looks like a mix of a toy arcade and a secret government bunker. Its artificial intelligence, GRTA, is so emotionally unstable that it starts acting more human than the scientists who created it.
The People Behind the Madness
The performances in Maniac are next-level. Emma Stone gives one of her rawest portrayals yet — fierce, broken, and unpredictable. Jonah Hill surprises everyone with a quiet, vulnerable performance that’s the total opposite of his usual comedic roles. Justin Theroux and Sally Field bring in a mix of brilliance and chaos as the dysfunctional scientists behind the experiment, turning every scene into something deliciously offbeat.
The show’s creative team is just as impressive. Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga (True Detective) and written by Patrick Somerville (The Leftovers), Maniac delivers a story that’s as emotional as it is visually stunning. It’s the kind of show that plays like a dream — unpredictable, funny, sad, and strangely comforting.
Why Maniac Deserves a Second Chance
When Maniac first dropped in 2018, it didn’t make the huge splash it deserved. Maybe it was too strange to go viral or too deep for casual binge-watchers. But that’s exactly why it stands out today. It’s self-contained — no sequel setups, no cliffhangers — just a beautifully complete story about pain, healing, and human connection.
In a time when most series drag on for endless seasons, Maniac is a reminder that sometimes one perfect season is enough. It might not have topped Netflix’s trending charts, but it’s easily one of the most creative and emotionally rich miniseries the platform has ever released.
So if you’re scrolling through Netflix wondering what to watch next, skip the algorithm’s recommendations and search for Maniac. You’ll find a show that’s funny, heartbreaking, and visually wild — a true hidden treasure waiting to mess with your mind in the best possible way.
Available now on Netflix. Don’t miss it this time.
