Netflix’s new limited series, “Maniac,” tells the strangely-addicting story of two strangers brought together when they both decide to partake in a mysterious drug trial.

The series takes place in a dystopian New York City, which looks as if it is a depressing prediction of the future from the viewpoint of a 1980s movie. At first, it is difficult to determine the setting because there is old technology from past decades mixed with new technologies we have never seen before, like little robots who roam the streets to pick up trash.

Within this alternate society, viewers meet the deeply troubled Owen, played by Jonah Hill. Owen is schizophrenic, but he struggles more with the fact that he is facing his illness all alone. The character is perfectly portrayed by Jonah Hill. His performance makes the viewer truly understand what Owen is going through.

In the first episode, the audience is only briefly introduced to Emma Stone’s character, Annie, but we learn more about her in the second episode when Annie and Owen’s worlds begin to collide.

Owen and Annie are coincidentally participating in the same pharmaceutical trial that is testing a series of drugs that are expected to solve mental health issues.

The clinical trial requires they stay a few days to test a series of drugs that allow them to have surreal dream-like experiences. As the series goes on, we get a closer look into why each character is so troubled, and the two become more and more relatable as a result.

“Maniac” features a compelling plot, beautiful visuals and deep characters. It is a shame it will only be one season, but the ending is sure to satisfy. The show was fairly reminiscent of “Black Mirror,” in that there are many different storylines that take place in a futuristic world.

One very interesting plot point in the series poked at the many services we have today—like Spotify and Pandora—that feature advertisements when you do not pay for a subscription. The first episode opens with Emma Stone’s character struggling to pay for a pack of cigarettes and thus requests to pay with an “Ad Buddy,” a service where you do not have to pay for something so long as you listen to a myriad of ads read to you by an Ad Buddy employee. The Ad Buddy concept occurs throughout the series.

The storyline of “Maniac” is not only original, but it also features big names in the cast. Aside from Jonah Hill and Emma Stone’s remarkable performances, the show also stars Sally Field, Justin Theroux and Sonoya Mizuno.

At first, “Maniac” is confusing and difficult to understand, but it is still so compelling that you will not want to stop watching. If you are looking for a new show to binge, definitely give “Maniac” a shot—it will not disappoint.