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Manic

2002·Movie
1h 42min·R

Where to watch

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

What's your score?

Your score

Manic fingerprint

High energy, strong craft, light on feelings.

Energy

Violent and tense

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Violence8
  • Tension7
  • Fast Pace6

Heart

Moving and melancholic

Much of it is about growing up.

  • Coming of Age9
  • Pathos8
  • Melancholy8

Humor

Some dark humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Dark Humor5
  • Cringe Humor4
  • Wit & Wordplay3

World

Everyday modern life, growing up, and the mind

  • World Immersion7
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability6

Craft

Standout characters and performances

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Character Depth9
  • Acting8
  • Complexity8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsSolo WatchThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You need an uplifting moodYou want to half-watch while scrollingGraphic violence bothers you

Find more like it

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

You can't escape yourself.

In lieu of prison, Lyle, a violent adolescent, is placed in a juvenile mental institution where he encounters a group of equally troubled teens. This motley crew—abused, sexually confused, violent, and yet hanging on by their grit and anger—becomes Lyle's last lifeline as he fights to find meaning in a world that seems to defy understanding.
Troubled TeensMental InstitutionComing-of-Age DramaViolent YouthPsychological StrugglesBleakCharacter-DrivenEmotionalIntense

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Manic

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Manic legally?

Manic is included with a subscription to Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Hoopla, YouTube Free, and Tubi TV. You can also rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Manic worth watching?

68
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 69/100 (IMDb 7.1, Rotten Tomatoes 67%, and Metacritic 60). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Manic rated?

RViolenceStrong languageDisturbing imagery

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: violence, strong language, and disturbing imagery.

How long is Manic?

1 h 42 min

Manic runs 1 h 42 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Manic?

Critics64
Audiences75

Not quite. Audiences rate Manic higher (75) than critics (64). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.

What language is Manic in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Manic?

2CAUS

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Manic in 2 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.