Maze Runner: The Death Cure
Final installment of the Maze Runner film series.
Maze Runner: The Death Cure, often shortened to The Death Cure, is a 2018 American dystopian science fiction movie. Wes Ball directed it, and T. S. Nowlin wrote the screenplay, adapting James Dashner's 2011 novel of the same name. It follows the 2015 film Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials and serves as the third and final chapter of the Maze Runner film series. The cast includes Dylan O'Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Patricia Clarkson, Ki Hong Lee, Dexter Darden, Giancarlo Esposito, Aidan Gillen, Barry Pepper, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jacob Lofland, Katherine McNamara, Rosa Salazar, and Will Poulter, with Walton Goggins as a new addition. (Note: Will Poulter's character Gally did not appear in the second film 'Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials'; he returns only in 'The Death Cure'.)
The movie was originally scheduled for a February 17, 2017, release in the United States by 20th Century Fox. However, the studio moved the date to January 26, 2018, to give O'Brien time to recover from injuries he got during filming. Critics gave it mixed reviews, praising the actors' performances, action scenes, and visual effects, but criticizing the story, script, and character development. It earned $288 million worldwide.
In the plot, Thomas, Newt, and Minho—the last free Gladers—team up with the Right Arm resistance to rescue immune children from a WCKD train. Jorge tells Thomas that their friend Minho is on a different car heading to WCKD's base, the Last City. Ignoring the Right Arm's leader Vince, the three go to the Last City to save Minho, who is being tortured along with other children for a cure to the Flare virus. Cranks (infected humans) attack them, but Jorge and Brenda help them escape. They reach the heavily fortified city wall, where protests are happening. WCKD fires on the protesters, and the group is captured by masked figures, one of whom is Gally, thought dead. He leads them to Lawrence, the leader of a group of Cranks, who helps Thomas, Newt, Gally, and Frypan sneak into the city.
Inside, Gally shows Thomas and Newt around, and Thomas spots Teresa. Newt reveals he is infected. Thomas promises to cure him, and with Gally, they capture Teresa. Disguised as WCKD soldiers, they escort her into WCKD headquarters to find the immune children. Gally stays to watch the children and find a serum that slows the Flare. Thomas, Teresa, and Newt locate Minho b
- Release date
- January 26, 2018
- Director
- Wes Ball
- Screenplay by
- T. S. Nowlin
- Based on
- The 2011 novel The Death Cure by James Dashner
- Production budget
- $62 million
- Worldwide gross
- $288 million
- Running time
- Not specified in source
Lore & Background
The film follows Thomas, Newt, and Minho, the last of the free 'Gladers', who join the Right Arm resistance to retrieve other Immunes from a train operated by WCKD. Jorge tells Thomas that Minho, their captured Glader friend, is headed to the 'Last City', WCKD's base of operations. Against orders, the three head to the Last City to rescue Minho, where WCKD is torturing children to develop a cure for the virus. The group is attacked by Cranks but saved by Jorge and Brenda. They reach the heavily fortified wall of the Last City, where protesters are fired upon by WCKD. The group is captured and taken to a hideout by Gally, who was presumed dead. Gally introduces them to Lawrence, the leader of a group of Cranks, who helps them enter the Last City. Thomas and Newt capture Teresa, and disguised as
Reader's Guide
Maze Runner: The Death Cure serves as the concluding chapter of the Maze Runner film series, adapting James Dashner's 2011 novel. The film's production was notably affected by actor Dylan O'Brien's injuries sustained during filming in March 2016, which caused multiple delays and a shift in release date from February 17, 2017, to January 26, 2018. Principal photography began in Vancouver in March 2016, was shut down indefinitely in April 2016 due to O'Brien's injuries, and resumed in Cape Town, South Africa, in March 2017, wrapping in June 2017. The film grossed $288 million worldwide against a $62 million budget, opening at number one in the United States with $24.2 million. Critical reception was mixed, with a 43% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 50 out of 100. The film's legacy lies in providing closure to the franchise's fanbase, though it was criticized for its bloated runtime and narrative shortcomings.
Did You Know?
- Dylan O'Brien was hospitalized on March 18, 2016, due to injuries sustained on set, causing production to be postponed.
- Walton Goggins joined the cast as Lawrence, described as 'an unusual and dangerous character who is part-revolutionary, part-anarchist, and a voice for the voiceless people.'
- The film was originally scheduled for release on February 17, 2017, but was delayed multiple times and finally released on January 26, 2018.
- Visual effects were provided by Weta Digital and supervised by Chris White.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Maze Runner: The Death Cure?
It is a 2018 dystopian science-fiction film that closes out the three-part Maze Runner movie trilogy. Directed by Wes Ball, it picks up right where The Scorch Trials left off and follows the Gladers as they race to find a cure for the Crank virus.
Who directed Maze Runner: The Death Cure?
Wes Ball returned to the director's chair after helming the first two entries in the series. T. S. Nowlin wrote the screenplay, drawing from the 2011 James Dashner novel that shares the film's title.
How does Maze Runner: The Death Cure end?
In the climactic final act, Thomas and his friends defeat WICKED's leadership and secure the cure that reverses the Crank. The surviving Gladers ultimately escape the facility, bringing the trilogy's central conflict to a close.
What is Maze Runner: The Death Cure based on?
The film adapts the third and final book in James Dashner's Maze Runner young-adult novel series, which was published in 2011. T. S. Nowlin translated that source material into a screenplay for the big screen.
Why is Maze Runner: The Death Cure significant to the franchise?
It serves as the concluding chapter of the three-film Maze Runner adaptation. Produced on a $62 million budget, it grossed roughly $288 million worldwide and marked the end of the on-screen journey for Dashner's characters.
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