The past year has been a delight for science fiction fans. From surprising movies like Civil War, which managed to unexpectedly conquer the box office, to successful series like Fallout, high-quality fictions continue to emerge. This trend is even stronger on platforms, where brands like Apple TV+ are making sci-fi their trademark.
But not only new movies are being released on platforms for us to rush to see them. Classic science fiction movies are also constantly being released on VOD services like Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, or, of course, Netflix. Ted Sarandos’ platform has just released a movie that is already a classic of youth science fiction: The Maze Runner.
Launched in 2014 following in the footsteps of sagas like The Hunger Games or Divergent, The Maze Runner surprised with the originality of its plot. Later, it had two sequels in 2015 and 2018, and although they didn’t have the impact or success of the first one, they ended up shaping a very captivating story in the context of the youth dystopias of the time.
A story that keeps working a decade later
Based on the successful novel by James Dashner titled with the same name, The Maze Runner follows a group of young people who wake up in a clearing surrounded by a giant maze, with no memory of who they are or how they got there. They soon discover that they are trapped in a place called The Glade, where they must find a way out of the maze to uncover the truth about their situation.
However, the labyrinth is full of dangers, including monstrous creatures called Lacerators that lurk in the shadows. With the leadership of Thomas, played by the already promising Dylan O’Brien known for Teen Wolf, the group embarks on a dangerous mission to uncover the secrets of the labyrinth and find a way out before it’s too late.
Beyond Dylan O’Brien, the cast includes stars from the 2010s like Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, and Ki Hong Lee, who portray a series of surprisingly well-defined characters… especially when considering previous direct references like Divergent.
In a review of The Maze Runner, you can find all kinds of details that make the movie actually be seen as something much better than it seemed to us at the time. And it is that, especially the first part, has a very effective narrative drive. The tension is palpable in every scene, whether it is while the runners try to navigate the maze or while they fight against the dangerous Grievers that chase them.
Wes Ball, who has been chosen as the future director of the film adaptation of The Legend of Zelda, surprises with a direction capable of creating an unsettling and claustrophobic atmosphere that completely immerses us in the oppressive and mysterious world of the Area. In addition, the cinematography is visually challenging, and the visual effects contribute to the immersion in the story.
The script, finally, is not as heavy as it may seem at first. While it is true that it plays all its cards in a final twist that its sequels can no longer take advantage of, it always plays its cards well to introduce us to the characters, push them to their own limits and explore their relationships.
Undoubtedly, The Maze Runner is a pleasant surprise that, ten years after its release, still works surprisingly well. I recommend taking a look at it for science fiction fans, whether they are young adults or those looking for something more thought-provoking.
