Manic (2002)

Overview · Where to watch · Cast & crew · Reviews

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.

• Released: 2002-11-22
• Genres: Drama
• Runtime: 1h 42m
• Status: Released
• TMDB rating: 6.8/10 from 122 votes

Directed by Jordan Melamed.

Top cast

• Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Lyle
• Don Cheadle as Dr. David Monroe
• Zooey Deschanel as Tracy
• Michael Bacall as Chad
• Elden Henson as Michael
• Cody Lightning as Kenny
• Sara Rivas as Sara
• William Richert as Diego
• Blayne Weaver as Charlie
• Maggie Baird as Rebecca

Full cast & crew

Where to watch Manic

• United States: stream on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads; watch free on Hoopla, The Roku Channel, YouTube Free, Tubi TV; rent on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, YouTube, Fandango At Home; buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, YouTube, Fandango At Home
• Canada: watch free on Hoopla, Tubi TV; rent on Apple TV Store; buy on Apple TV Store

Movies like Manic

If you enjoyed Manic, these movies have a similar feel:

• Starred Up (2014)
• I Never Promised You a Rose Garden (1977)
• Boy A (2008)
• Out of the Blue (1981)
• Better Man (2024)
• Gimme Shelter (2013)
• Brave the Dark (2025)
• Foxfire (1996)
• Girl, Interrupted (1999)
• Bad Boys (1983)
• Anna (2013)
• Joe the King (1999)

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