The Maze Runner

The Maze Runner (2014)

9/10/2014
113 minutes
7

Set in a post-apocalyptic world, young Thomas is deposited in a community of boys after his memory is erased, soon learning they're all trapped in a maze that will require him to join forces with fellow “runners” for a shot at escape.

Revenue: $348,319,861

Details

Budget

$34,000,000

Rating

7/10 (17234 votes)

Status

Released

Production Companies

Ingenious Media, The Gotham Group, Dayday Films, Temple Hill Entertainment, TSG Entertainment, 20th Century Fox

About The Maze Runner

The 2014 film "The Maze Runner" places its protagonist, Thomas, into a desolate, maze-filled world alongside other boys, his memory erased. The narrative explores themes of survival and escape within a dystopian setting. As an action and science fiction thriller, the movie emphasizes the characters' efforts to navigate a constantly changing environment and uncover the truth behind their predicament. This premise, derived from a young adult novel, is centered on the struggle against an unknown authority controlling their imprisonment.

The film's approach to the post-apocalyptic subgenre focuses on collective action and investigation. The mystery surrounding the maze and the origins of the Glade is a core element, providing momentum as the characters work together to understand their situation. With memory loss hindering their progress, they rely on immediate observations and an emergent social structure to guide their attempts at freedom. The film maintains a tension driven by the hazardous maze and the unknown forces at play, aiming to keep its audience engaged with the characters' fight for survival.

Rotten Tomatoes 66%
Metacritic 57/100
IMDb 6.8/10

Why you might be searching for The Maze Runner

People search for "The Maze Runner" when recalling its central premise of teenagers trapped in a deadly, enigmatic maze. Queries often stem from remembering the focus on escape, the post-apocalyptic setting, or the element of memory loss that affects the characters.

What reviewers are saying

Andres Gomez 5/10

One reviewer found it to be another derivative young adult dystopian film, similar to others in the genre, and noted the all-male primary cast as a distinguishing, though not necessarily positive, feature.

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Dark Jedi 7/10

A reviewer appreciated the movie's originality within the apocalypse genre, finding the story refreshing despite acknowledging some plot inconsistencies, and generally enjoyed it as a young adult film.

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Gimly 6/10

One viewer felt the film was unexpectedly good, surpassing initial expectations based on its marketing.

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CharlesTheBold

A reviewer felt the movie was engaging in its depiction of resourceful characters building a society and strategizing their escape, but believed the ending felt abrupt and left too many questions unanswered, particularly regarding the antagonists' motives, lacking a strong cinematic resolution.

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