Manic

2002 · 102 min · EN · R · 6.8 (124 votes)

Dir. Jordan Melamed · Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Don Cheadle, Zooey Deschanel, Michael Bacall, Elden Henson, Cody Lightning · Music David Wingo

“You can't escape yourself.”

Drama

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.

VIBE

This film feels like a raw, unflinching dive into adolescent turmoil. It's a gritty, intense experience, exploring the struggles of troubled teens fighting for survival and meaning within the confines of a mental institution. Expect a somber, visceral journey.

intenserawunflinchingsombervisceralsteadygritty realismcharacter-driven dramaindie dramatraumamental illnessresilienceidentity

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depressionchild abusegroup therapymental institutionjuvenile delinquentmental illnesstroubled teenteen angerself-harmteenage protagonistdepressingcomfortingviolent