NBC’s hit series Manifest, which later continued on Netflix, captivated audiences with its mysterious premise: a commercial airline flight disappears midair, only to land five and a half years later—with all passengers aboard having aged not a single day. Created by Jeff Rake, the show blends drama, science fiction, and the supernatural, as the returning passengers try to rebuild their lives and understand their bizarre experiences. This compelling concept has led many viewers to ask:
Is Manifest based on a true story?
The answer is no, Manifest is not based on a true story. It is entirely a fictional creation, though it is inspired by real-life events and mysteries, particularly the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 in 2014, which shocked the world.
The Real-Life Inspiration: Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370
Although Manifest was conceived before the disappearance of MH370, the real-world event certainly fueled public interest in stories of vanished aircraft. In March 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 vanished from radar while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Despite extensive search efforts, the aircraft was never fully recovered, and many details about its disappearance remain unknown.
Jeff Rake has stated in interviews that he pitched the idea for Manifest back in 2009, years before the MH370 incident. However, networks weren’t immediately interested. When the real-life tragedy occurred in 2014, the mystery surrounding MH370 reignited fascination with unexplained disappearances, making Rake’s concept suddenly timely. The show was eventually greenlit and premiered in 2018.
While Manifest is not a dramatization of MH370, the eerie similarities between its fictional plot and real-world events drew attention and gave the show an added layer of intrigue.
A Blend of Science Fiction, Spirituality, and Drama
Manifest is primarily a work of supernatural fiction, incorporating elements of time travel, prophetic visions (called “Callings”), and mysterious forces at play. As the characters piece together what happened during their missing years, they encounter government conspiracies, scientific theories, and spiritual awakenings.
These plot elements are clearly imaginary, though they borrow from existing concepts in quantum physics, religious prophecy, and philosophical debates about fate versus free will. The show’s themes make it feel grounded and thought-provoking, even while it explores highly speculative ideas.
Emotional Truth, Not Factual Accuracy
While Manifest is not based on a true story in a literal sense, its emotional core—grief, trauma, reintegration, and the mystery of the unknown—is very real. Families of missing persons, survivors of plane crashes, and those affected by unexplained tragedies may see reflections of their experiences in the struggles of the passengers and their loved ones.
Final Verdict
So, is Manifest based on a true story? No, the show is entirely fictional, though inspired by real-world mysteries like Flight MH370 and fueled by timeless human questions about purpose, destiny, and the unknown. Its success lies not in recreating true events, but in blending speculative fiction with heartfelt drama to explore what it means to lose time—and find it again.
