A bunch of boys find themselves in a grassy glade surrounded by an ever-shifting maze that’s populated by killer alien robot monsters. A new child arrives every month with no memory of their prior life. When Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) and then Theresa (Kaya Scodelario) appear, everything changes.
It’s a fascinating premise but the wider story arc – explored across two further films (adapted from the novels by James Dashner) – is too silly to be believed.
The characters are strong, though, and the interplay between them makes for the most engaging elements. It’s heavily influenced by Lord of the Flies and there’s a fair bit of interesting stuff about how the boys live together and the society they’ve evolved, with all its rules and rivalries.
Genuinely impressive sound design and visuals also lift the film into something you can watch and enjoy more than once. The maze itself looks terrific and its physical presence and psychological influence are expertly conveyed.
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