The Maze Runner is an interesting and engaging film with strong performances and compelling characters. The central premise—a group of boys trapped inside a massive, shifting maze—is immediately intriguing, and the tension and mystery carry the story forward. On a scene-by-scene level, the film is effective.
Where it falters, for me, is in providing context. I kept searching for the underlying framework of the story: the why and the what. I’m open to being dropped into a mystery with limited information, but I need that mystery to eventually resolve into meaning. Without that core understanding, the events never fully coalesced into something emotionally grounded.
The maze itself is compelling, and the acting remains solid throughout. However, by the end of the film, I was still unsure what the story was actually about or what was real within its world. The final reveal gestures toward explanation, only to pull back again, leaving the central motivation frustratingly vague.
As a result, the ending left me asking not “What happens next?” but “Why should I care?” Without a clear narrative foundation, the mystery doesn’t deepen—it dissipates. The Maze Runner succeeds at atmosphere and momentum, but withholds too much meaning to fully land as a standalone story.
Because I was left so wanting at the end, I have to give it a rating of 2.5 beers. I don’t think drinking 2.5 beers would leave me less confused, but hey, it’s beer.
Have you seen this one? I know there’s a book, but I haven’t read it. Maybe I’d be less confused if I had.
Here’s the trailer:
