The story follows a boy named Thomas who wakes up in a strange place called the Glade with no memory aside from his first name. The Glade is an enclosed structure populated by other boys, and is surrounded by tall, stone walls that protect them from monsters called Grievers that live in the Maze, which surrounds the walls around the Glade.
Every day, some of the kids who are Runners venture into the labyrinth trying to map the ever-changing pattern of walls in an attempt to find an exit. As soon as Thomas arrives, unusual things begin to happen and the others grow suspicious of him. The Maze seems familiar to Thomas, but he’s unable to make sense of the place despite his extraordinary abilities as a Runner. When the first girl arrives in the Glade, she brings a message that she will be the last one to ever arrive in the Glade, as the end is near.
The Maze Runner is an American dystopian film based on James Dashner’s 2009 young adult novel of the same name. The film is the first installment in The Maze Runner film series and was directed by Wes Ball, with a screenplay by Noah Oppenheim, Grant Pierce Myers, and T.S. Nowlin. The film stars Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Ki Hong Lee, and Will Poulter.
About the Story
A boy wakes up inside a rusty elevator that was in the water for hours. When he arrives at the top, he is greeted by other boys in a grassy clearing called the Glade, which is surrounded by tall walls. The boy is unable to remember anything about himself, but Alby, the leader of the Glade, tells him that his condition is normal and that he would remember his name soon. He shows him the Glade and how it is run. The boy wonders what is beyond the opening in the wall adjacent to the Glade, but he is warned not to go through there, as it is a maze. The boy meets Chuck, and the two become friends.
There is a party that night to welcome the newest arrival. Every month, a new person and supplies come in the elevator. Newt, second in command and gardener, explains that the Maze is the only way out. The most able boys become Runners, who are the only ones allowed into the Maze. They search for an escape route during the day, but return before nightfall, as the Maze entrance closes at dusk, and no one has ever survived a night in the Maze. The boy ends up in a fight with a boy named Gally, during which he suddenly remembers his name: Thomas.
While Thomas is gathering supplies in the woods, he is viciously attacked by Ben, a Runner, who has been stung by a Griever – deadly monsters that lurk in the maze. The boys force Ben into the Maze to die. Minho, a runner, and Alby attempt to retrace Ben’s steps in the maze, but Alby is stung and rendered unconscious. Minho appears at dusk, dragging Alby, but is unable to reach the entrance in time. Seeing this, Thomas runs into the maze. Minho and Thomas survive the night, with Thomas successfully killing a Griever, and they return the next day with Alby to the astonishment of the other boys.
Gally, upset that the fragile peace between the boys and the Grievers may be in jeopardy, proposes punishing Thomas for entering the maze, though Newt overrules him and makes Thomas a Runner. Thomas accompanies Minho and a few others into the maze. They find the Griever’s corpse and remove a beeping mechanical part, discovering that it is numbered to correspond to a certain section in the maze. The first ever girl arrives in the elevator, who apparently recognizes Thomas. A note indicates that she is the final person that will be sent. The girl, named Teresa, carries two syringes filled with a mysterious substance. The Gladers use one on Alby, and he gradually recovers from his sting and starts to regain his memories.
The Maze Runner
Directed by: Wes Ball
Starring: Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Will Poulter, Chris Sheffield, Patricia Clarkson
Screenplay by: Noah Oppenheim, Grant Pierce Myers
Production Design by: Marc Fisichella
Cinematography by: Enrique Chediak
Film Editing by: Dan Zimmerman
Costume Design by: Christine Bieselin Clark, Simonetta Mariano
Set Decoration by: Jon Danniells
Music by: John Paesano
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for thematic elements and intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, including some disturbing images.
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: September 19, 2014
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