Wacky, tragic, fun and poignant...

After finishing The Leftovers, one of the more underappreciated shows out there, I was itching for something with a similarly strange plot grounded by strong characters and that strong sense of pathos which The Leftovers was soaked in. Maniac sounded like it fit that mold, and to an extent, it does. Yet it doesn't quite hit the heights that The Leftovers did.

It certainly makes a good go of it. The story hits strong beats of sadness and depression, capturing the feeling of being lost in life. It presents difficult relationships and obstacles that the characters must navigate. It handles these aspects well, immersing you and making you feel for the characters.

It also offers some redeeming and uplifting moments that come at just the right time. However, what separates it from The Leftovers, and where it falls short, is the setting for the story. In The Leftovers, the setting, despite its supernatural aspects, is intertwined with the characters' lives, almost serving as a driving force. It moves them along, providing a vehicle for their growth. In Maniac, it doesn’t feel as necessary. It feels more forced, like two separate stories. This separation detracts from the more interesting aspects of the story and our main characters.

I just felt too often that Maniac was heading in the right direction, only to distract itself and lose focus on what was working. It had the ingredients to be as good as The Leftovers, but the execution fell short. That being said, I still love the show. It always held my interest, and I cared for the characters, thanks largely to the great acting from both Emma Stone and Jonah Hill—especially Jonah Hill, who really shines. At its best, it’s a show steeped in emotion, with wonderful characters and one of the best soundtracks I've come across.