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Manic

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Manic

R

Released May 9, 2003

1h 40m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

68%

Tomatometer

62 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Follows the fate of Lyle (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a violent adolescent who, in lieu of prison, 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.

Critics Consensus

A grim drama about emotionally damaged teens, Manic's solid cast helps to elevate the material above cliche.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Powerful film packed with profanity and brutality.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 25, 2010

Full Review

Nick Dawson

Empire Magazine

Anyone stumbling into the cinema halfway through would think they were watching a documentary, as Manic dispenses with all cinematic flourishes, instead aiming for and achieving absolute realism.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 30, 2006

Full Review

Derek Adams

Time Out

It's an undemonstrative, vividly authentic film.

Feb 9, 2006

Full Review

Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

Cheadle is excellent and gives this the true credibility it deserves.

Apr 29, 2009

Full Review

Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

A dynamo of a movie with solid performances.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 11, 2008

Full Review

Ron Wells

Film Threat

This is exactly the kind of film the Dogme 95 movement was meant to inspire.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 6, 2005

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Audience Member

It was a good movie in terms of showing mental health and the environment inside of facilities but the storyline kinda gets thrown around. Some scenes don't really add up and the ending was pretty confusing. Has good acting but, like others said, the camera work isn't the best. Doesn't show much from being zoomed it and so you can't really see much of what is fully going on. I know this movie came out quite some time ago but the comment about the camera work is solely because it's too zoomed in. However, I did like the acting and portraying of different mental health issues along with facilities. There isn't much that accurately shows the environment inside of facilities but this movie got it down pretty good I'd say.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

05/30/25

Full Review

kaden d

I'm not sure why but I have a soft spot for movies like these. Joseph Gordon-Levitt always knocks it out of the park when he plays characters like this.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

jelisije j

Absolutely fantastic movie about multiple young people dealing with multiple problems and trying to become more then what they feel they can only be.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Beautiful movie about the hardships of teenagers who have been abused in some way. Great performances from all characters.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Great ensemble acting but the Dogme 95 style hurts the film's impetus.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Dealing with anger issues growing up, this movie hits the spot in so many ways. I liked it, I thought it was pretty authentic.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

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Jordan Melamed

Director

Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Lyle

Michael Bacall

Chad

Zooey Deschanel

Tracy

Cody Lightning

Kenny

Elden Henson

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Synopsis

Follows the fate of Lyle (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a violent adolescent who, in lieu of prison, 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.

Director: Jordan Melamed
Producer: Trudi Callon, Kirk Hassig
Screenwriter: Michael Bacall, Blayne Weaver
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: Manic LLC, Next Wave Films
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 9, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 19, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $70.2K
Runtime: 1h 40m