Maniac Season 1 Episode 1 The Chosen One

In Maniac season 1 episode 1 "The Chosen One", we are introduced to Annie Landsberg (Emma Stone) and Owen Milgrim (Jonah Hill), two strangers who are drawn to a mysterious pharmaceutical trial run by the mysterious Neberdine Pharmaceutical Biotech (NPB) Corporation. Annie is struggling to move on from a painful breakup while Owen is haunted by his family's expectations. Both of them are battling their own demons and are looking for a way out of their unhappy lives.

The trial they sign up for claims to be able to solve their problems and personal issues, offering them the possibility of a better life. The trial is led by Dr. James K. Mantleray (Justin Theroux), a charismatic but unpredictable scientist, who assures them that the drugs used in the trials will eliminate all of their problems in just three days.

Throughout the episode, viewers are taken on a psychological and emotional journey as Annie and Owen take the experimental drugs and are plunged into a series of mind-bending, surreal experiences. The subjects find themselves caught up in a series of strange and surreal scenarios, which seem to be designed to explore their innermost fears and desires.

As the trials progress, it becomes clear that Mantleray's experiment is not exactly what it seems. The NPB facility is a labyrinthine network of secret passageways and hidden doors. Annie and Owen's experiences grow increasingly bizarre and intense, forcing them to confront their own past traumas and unresolved emotional issues.

"The Chosen One" provides a tantalizing glimpse of the world of Maniac, with its colorful cast of characters, psychedelic visuals, and thought-provoking themes. The show's creators, Patrick Somerville and Cary Joji Fukunaga, have created a rich and complex world, filled with surreal imagery, clever writing, and brilliant performances from its star-studded cast.

Overall, Maniac season 1 episode 1 "The Chosen One" is a captivating, thought-provoking debut that sets the stage for a truly mind-bending show. Viewers are sure to be hooked by the show's surreal world-building, intriguing characters, and fascinating concepts.