Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Kids escape a maze only to find out the world outside is just a bigger, sandier maze with zombies and a super-secret government trying to use them as human juice boxes.

🍿 Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Escape from WCKD

Following their escape from the Maze, Thomas and the Gladers are taken to a facility run by Janson, seemingly a safe haven. However, Thomas becomes suspicious when he notices unusual activity and uncovers a disturbing truth: WCKD, led by Ava Paige, is still active and using the immune teenagers for experiments. Realizing they are not safe, Thomas, along with Aris, leads the Gladers in a daring escape from the facility.

The Scorch

The Gladers find themselves in the Scorch, a desolate wasteland ravaged by solar flares and a deadly virus known as the Flare. They face unimaginable obstacles, including Cranks, humans driven mad by the virus. During their journey, Winston gets infected and, to prevent his transformation, takes his own life. The group continues to navigate the treacherous landscape, searching for a rumored safe haven.

Encounters and Alliances

The Gladers encounter Brenda and Jorge, who lead a group of survivors. They form an uneasy alliance, navigating through a city overrun with Cranks and facing deadly sandstorms. Thomas and Brenda develop a close bond as they fight together, facing challenges that test their resilience. They eventually learn about The Right Arm, a resistance group fighting against WCKD, and seek to join them.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Thomas (Dylan O’Brien): The determined protagonist who leads the Gladers through the Scorch while uncovering the secrets of WCKD.
• Teresa (Kaya Scodelario): A Glader and former WCKD employee whose allegiances become conflicted as she regains her memories.
• Newt (Thomas Brodie-Sangster): A loyal and level-headed Glader who provides unwavering support to Thomas throughout their ordeal.
• Minho (Ki Hong Lee): The strong and quick-witted Keeper of the Runners, fiercely protective of his friends and determined to escape WCKD.
• Ava Paige (Patricia Clarkson): The calculating leader of WCKD, believing her morally ambiguous methods are necessary to find a cure for the Flare.
• Janson (Aidan Gillen): A cunning and ruthless operative of WCKD, tasked with hunting down the Gladers and securing their immunity to the Flare.
• Brenda (Rosa Salazar): A tough survivor in the Scorch, initially distrustful but later becomes a valuable ally to Thomas and the Gladers.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Thomas: “We can’t keep running.” – Said to the Gladers, expressing his growing frustration with constantly being on the move and hunted.
• Janson: “WCKD is good.” – Spoken with chilling conviction, representing the organization’s manipulative propaganda and questionable motives.
• Brenda: “I’m a Crank. I’m slowly going crazy.” – Reveals the harsh reality of her existence and the constant battle against the Flare virus.
• Mary: “There’s never been a cure.” – Reveals the grim truth about the Flare virus and WCKD’s true intentions, questioning the hope for a cure.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $61,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $81,697,192
• Worldwide Gross: $312,296,056

💥 Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I loved the first ‘Maze Runner’ and was so hyped for this one! The whole ‘escape room’ vibe was gone, and it became a full-on zombie survival movie which was unexpected. The sandstorm scene was intense, and Giancarlo Esposito was awesome. I wish they had spent more time explaining the Flare virus. I was a little lost, but the action kept me entertained.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of the first Maze Runner movie”
  • “Viewers who enjoy dystopian sci-fi adventures”
  • “Those interested in young adult action films”
  • “Individuals who like zombie/infected-themed thrillers”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Intense action violence”
  • “Scenes with zombie-like creatures (Cranks)”
  • “Some disturbing and frightening images”
  • “Teen suicide”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “While ‘The Scorch Trials’ amps up the action and introduces intriguing new characters, the convoluted plot and reliance on familiar dystopian tropes ultimately prevent it from reaching its full potential. The visuals are stunning, but the story struggles to keep pace.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “The film is a relentless chase through a post-apocalyptic wasteland, packed with impressive set pieces and zombie-like creatures. However, it sacrifices character development and coherent storytelling for sheer spectacle, leaving viewers emotionally detached.
• IGN: “‘Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials’ delivers a thrilling, albeit derivative, action experience. The cast is strong, and the visuals are captivating, but the plot meanders and lacks the emotional depth to truly resonate. Fans of the genre may find it enjoyable, but it’s unlikely to win over new converts.

Audience Reactions

The crank (zombie) designs are genuinely creepy and add a new layer of horror.: The action sequences are relentless and keep you on the edge of your seat.

The introduction of new characters like Brenda and Jorge injects fresh energy into the story.: The movie is a visually stunning thrill ride from start to finish.

Overall Consensus: While ‘The Scorch Trials’ offers exciting action and impressive visuals, it struggles with a convoluted plot and deviates significantly from the source material, leaving some viewers disappointed.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The filmmakers used practical effects whenever possible, especially for the Cranks, to make them appear more realistic and terrifying.”
• “The desert scenes were filmed in various locations in New Mexico, chosen for their desolate and otherworldly landscapes to effectively portray the Scorch.”
• “The intense lightning storm sequence was a combination of practical effects, CGI, and carefully choreographed stunts, requiring extensive planning and safety measures.”

🖥️ How to Watch Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials?

Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials is available for streaming on platforms like Prime Video, and can also be rented or purchased on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for television airings.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials, you might like these similar films:

• Divergent (2014): Shares a similar dystopian setting with young protagonists fighting against a corrupt system.
• The Walking Dead (2010-2022): Features a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombie-like creatures (Cranks), forcing survivors to band together and fight for survival.
• I Am Legend (2007): A virus has decimated most of humanity turning the infected into vampire-like zombie mutants.
• The Road (2009): Depicts a bleak, post-apocalyptic world with a focus on survival and the lengths people will go to protect each other in desperate times.
• Mad Max: Fury Road (2015): Features a post-apocalyptic setting with intense action sequences and a group of survivors fighting against a tyrannical leader in a desolate landscape.

🛒 Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials Related Products

• The Maze Runner Series Complete Collection Boxed Set (Books 1-5): Dive into the complete Maze Runner saga with this boxed set, featuring all five thrilling novels by James Dashner. Perfect for fans who want to experience the full story from beginning to end.
• Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (Blu-ray + Digital HD): Relive the action and suspense with the Blu-ray edition, featuring stunning visuals and bonus content. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film and explore exclusive interviews with the cast and crew.
• Maze Runner Inspired T-Shirt: Glader: Show your love for Maze Runner with this T-Shirt. High quality print that is sure to catch the eye.
• Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials – Original Motion Picture Score [Limited Edition]: Own the music of Maze Runner. Get the original score and experience the thrills of the movie.

🎧 Soundtrack

Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Walkin’ After Midnight” – performed by Patsy Cline
• “The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials Soundtrack” – performed by John Paesano

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Everything Wrong With The Maze Runner In 16 Minutes Or Less

Looking for a fun and witty take on ‘Maze Runner’? Check out this video that hilariously points out inconsistencies and flaws in the movie. It’s a fresh perspective that will keep you entertained.

15 Maze Runner Bloopers That Make The Movies Even Better

Get ready for some laughter! This video is packed with hilarious bloopers and behind-the-scenes moments from the ‘Maze Runner’ movies. It’s a fun way to see the cast in a different light.

Thomas Brodie-Sangster Interview – The Maze Runner: Scorch Trials Movie Premiere

Curious about what Thomas Brodie-Sangster has to say about ‘Maze Runner’? Watch this interview where he shares his thoughts on the movie and his co-stars. It’s a great way to hear his perspective.

Scorch Trials Cast Play 90s Slang Game – Comic Con 2015

Get ready for some 90s nostalgia! This video features the cast of ‘The Scorch Trials’ playing a fun slang game. It’s a lighthearted and entertaining way to see the cast interact off-screen.

✨ Rate