A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
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Positive Messages
some
The movie encourages challenging authority and questioning complacency -- to take risks when necessary and to defend the powerless. Themes include courage, friendship, and teamwork.
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Positive Role Models
a lot
Thomas is an exemplary role model because he's willing to risk his position in the group, his safety, and even his life to help lead the others out of the Maze. He makes friends and alliances easily and is able to stand up against authority, voice his doubts, and question why the boys have complacently remained in the Glade when they should have been searching for a way out of their imprisonment. Alby is a kind and generous leader who wants to do what's best for the members of the Glade, and Min-ho and Newt are both courageous and curious members of the group.
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Violence & Scariness
a lot
Violence is on par with the source books and similar YA-based dystopian thrillers. Teens rally together to kill huge, mechanized, spider-like monsters called Grievers. Characters die from being stung or otherwise killed by the Grievers; others die after being shot or speared, and a whole roomful of adults is found dead. The scenes of the Grievers killing the boys are particularly frightening and horrific.
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Language
some
Occasional language includes "s--t," "a--hole," "son of a bitch," "bastards," "damn," and "oh my God!"
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Drinking, Drugs & Smoking
very little
The guys in the Glade drink an unspecified drink that's strong and makes Thomas scrunch up his face, but it's unclear whether it's alcohol or not.
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Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Maze Runner is based on the first novel in James Dashner's best-selling young adult trilogy. The movie, like the book, is a cross between Lord of the Flies, Ender's Game, and The Hunger Games and should appeal to fans of the books and of star Dylan O'Brien (Teen Wolf). There's more strong language ("s--t," "a--hole," "bitch") in the movie than in the book, which featured mostly made up curse words like "shuck" and "klunk." Unlike many other popular teen movies, The Maze Runner doesn't highlight a central romance (at least in this installment), but it definitely includes the same amount of intense violence -- some of it teen on teen, some of it creature on teen, and much of it weapons based. Characters die, and the scenes in which the mechanized Grievers kill the boys are particularly disturbing. Main character Thomas is a strong role model, helping his friends and standing up to authority when necessary. And there are clear themes of teamwork, courage, and friendship. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
What's the Story?
THE MAZE RUNNER is a dystopian thriller based on James Dashner's best-selling YA book trilogy. The action starts immediately, with an elevator taking a scared teenage guy, Thomas (Dylan O'Brien), up into the unknown. When the doors open, he's introduced to the Glade, a mysterious all-boy commune surrounded by an even more mysterious Maze that changes every day and is home to killer mechanized bugs called "Grievers." Every month, the elevator delivers supplies and a new amnesiac resident. None of the imprisoned boys can remember anything but their names, with the newest guy being Thomas. He learns that the Glade residents are divided into groups with specific jobs -- builders, farmers, healers, and the bravest of the group, the runners who go out into the Maze hoping to map it. Thomas' arrival coincides with a series of strange occurrences, the strangest of which is the too-soon arrival of another "greenie," a girl (Kaya Scodelario) who has a note attached to her. ("She's the last one ever.") Realizing that their prospects of surviving without any more supplies are slim, Thomas convinces a small group to face the dangers of the Maze and look for a way out of their bizarre captivity.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the popularity of movies based on dystopian YA novels. Why do you think adaptations like The Maze Runner are so appealing?
For those who've read the Maze Runner book, how does the movie compare? Was it faithful, or did the movie go in a different, unexpected direction? What was left out that you missed, and what was added that you enjoyed?
There's more language in the movie than in the book. Do you think language is as important concern compared to violence and sex? Why or why not?
How did the movie's violence impact you? How does it compare to what you've seen in other, similar movies?
Which characters are role models? What character strengths do they demonstrate?
Movie Details
- In theaters: September 19, 2014
- On DVD or streaming: December 16, 2014
- Cast: Dylan O'Brien, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Kaya Scodelario
- Director: Wes Ball
- Inclusion Information: Female actors, Latino actors
- Studio: Twentieth Century Fox
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Topics: Adventures, Book Characters
- Character Strengths: Courage, Teamwork
- Run time: 113 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: thematic elements and intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, including some disturbing images
- Last updated: November 29, 2022
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