Manic

"You can't escape yourself."

2002 1h 42m EN

👍

6.8

SOLID

★6.8TMDB · 122

Drama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

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.

“You can't escape yourself.”

WhatsApp X Facebook Telegram

Where to watch · US

Amazon Prime VideoSubscription

Amazon Prime Video with AdsSubscription

Cast

Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Lyle
Don Cheadle
Dr. David Monroe
Zooey Deschanel
Tracy
Michael Bacall
Chad
Elden Henson
Michael
Cody Lightning
Kenny
Sara Rivas
Sara
William Richert
Diego

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Jordan Melamed
Writers: Jordan Melamed, Blayne Weaver, Michael Bacall
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 7

ERA

Did you know

Released 24 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Jordan Melamed, shot by Nicholas Hay. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by David Wingo. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Gloria Vela shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 7

CAST

Did you know

Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Don Cheadle and Zooey Deschanel carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 7

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "You can't escape yourself.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 7

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0252684 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Jordan Melamed directs. Nicholas Hay behind the camera. David Wingo scores. Gloria Vela cuts. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 24 years ago.
2Directed by Jordan Melamed, shot by Nicholas Hay. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
3Original score by David Wingo. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
4Editor Gloria Vela shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
5Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Don Cheadle and Zooey Deschanel carry the top of the cast.
6Marketing tagline: "You can't escape yourself.".
7IMDB entry: tt0252684 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
8Classified under 13 themes, including "depression", "child abuse", "group therapy", "mental institution".