Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your accountsSaved for Latersection.
When that qualifier is pinned so tightly onto a projects origin story, its usually for a good reason.
So, then, whats the deal with the original?
What is it?
What is the same?
The most literal the AmericanManiacgets with the adaptation is Hills character, Owen.
Apart from the genre switching, bothManiacs explore the idea of processing trauma and life in general through narrative.
Although, that might be giving the Norwegian version too much credit.
What is different?
Espen, though he doesnt know it, is an extremely lonely figure.
sThats where you see Fukunaga and Somervilles first major fixes come in.
Where the NorwegianManiacaims for parody, the remake goes for metaphor.
What happens to Owen and Annie in those sequences ties back to their past trauma.
Its not just a reflection of whats happening immediately around them.
Theres so much more at stake.
The Norwegian show also uses Espens reality as a contrast to his hallucinations.
Should you watch it?
It depends on how into the newManiacyou are.
The Norwegian series is more than a bit problematic.
Espens condition and the situations it lands him in are the shows primary sources for laughs.
Fukunaga and Somerville zhuzh every element of the original.
But hey, the episodes are 21 minutes-long.
If you watch one, youll get the picture.
