Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials Movie Poster Image

Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials

age 13+
(i)

 

Dystopian sequel has lots of thrills, violence.
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  • Review Date: September 18, 2015
  • Rated: PG-13
  • Genre: Action/Adventure
  • Release Year: 2015
  • Running Time: 131 minutes

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What parents need to know

Positive messages

This is a story about teamwork, friendship, and identity. The teens may not know their past, but they work together toward a better future.

Positive role models

Thomas, Newt, Minho, and the rest of the surviving Gladers are courageous, intelligent, and willing to make sacrifices to defend and protect one another. Brenda is a strong female character who isn't afraid to defend herself or her friends. Jorge seems selfish and morally ambiguous at first, but he saves the day when the chips are down.

Violence

The survivors face new enemies who use guns and tasers to subdue them. There's a high body count; people die or are injured as the result of shoot-outs (one person is brutally murdered at close range), explosions, and, in one case, a self-inflicted wound. The person who commits suicide does so off camera (the shot is heard but not seen), because they're succumbing to a deadly virus. A man is beaten so severely that his eye is bulged shut; he's bleeding and bruised. Characters are tortured (tied from their ankles and hung upside down). Gruesome, zombie-like creatures eat a rat, pursue anyone in their vicinity, and bite a couple of characters.

Sex

A character turns another character's head away from watching someone who's changing clothes (viewers only see her arms in the air as she adds a layer). At a club, teens and young adults dance close together, and two slightly inebriated teens kiss.

Language

Occasional strong language includes "s--t," "son of a bitch," "bastard," "dumbass," "damn," "what the hell," "Jesus" (as an exclamation), and "oh my God!" Also, one use of the middle finger gesture.

Consumerism
Not applicable
Drinking, drugs, & smoking

In one scene, two teens are forced to drink an Absinthe-looking liquor at a club where everyone is drinking; the drink makes them woozy and uninhibited. Young characters are injected a couple of times but are told it's just a "vitamin cocktail."

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials is the second movie in the Maze Runner trilogy. Based on James Dashner's best-selling dystopian young adult novel, the film should attract teens (and adults) who are familiar with book series, as well as fans of star Dylan O'Brien (MTV's Teen Wolf). As in the first film, violence is the main issue, with characters being chased, shot at, bitten by gruesome zombie-like creatures, and more. There's a high body count as the result of shoot-outs, explosions, and even a self-inflicted wound (the suicide happens off screen, but the shot is heard). This installment has more strong language (less "shank" and more "s--t," "son of a bitch," "dumbass," etc.) than the previous movie, and there's also slightly more romance -- two characters even kiss (they're slightly drunk at the time) -- though it's not as prominent here as in the Divergent or The Hunger Games movies.

What's the story?

MAZE RUNNER: THE SCORCH TRIALS picks up shortly after the end of its predecessor, The Maze Runner: Thomas (Dylan O'Brien), Theresa (Kaya Scodelario), Newt (Thomas Brodie-Sangster), Minho (Ki Hong Lee), and the other surviving members of the Glade end up under the protection of Jansen (Aidan Gillen), who promises them they're safe from WCKD -- the organization that held them captive in the Maze. The kids meet teens from other Mazes; with the help of a new friend, Arris (Jacob Lofland), they discover things aren't what they seem, so they escape from Janson's control. Back on the run, they team up with rogue community leader Jorge (Giancarlo Esposito) and his courageous teen charge Brenda (Rosa Salazar) to find the mysterious "Right Arm," an underground resistance group that allegedly saves immune kids and deposits them in a safe zone.

Is it any good?

QUALITY

As Thomas, O'Brien is once again charming and determined in this faithful, action-packed sequel to The Maze Runner. The plot and character development aren't quite as compelling as they were in the first movie (the set up of waking up and having no idea why you're stuck somewhere is usually inherently fascinating), but that's to be expected of a story where the main characters are mostly on the run. There isn't much time in between fighting off men with guns and zombie-like Cranks to explore the inner workings of how these characters are feeling. But there are a couple of sweet contemplative conversations between Thomas and his crew, as well as between Thomas and his new friend, Brenda, ably played by Salazar as a brave girl who's a good shot but is also vulnerable.

Unfortunately, with the introduction of new characters like Rosa and Jorge, there isn't as much focus on fan favorites Newt and Minho, and poor Theresa is reduced to a stereotype of the sad girl with secrets. Although the pulse-quickening action sequences are still well executed (and, in a couple of cases, downright anxiety-provoking), it's really the characters that made the first movie so enjoyable, and while this interim installment provides just enough intrigue and twists to make fans happy, it also starts to seem a bit too much like every other teen dystopian movie. Even the tension between Thomas and the ruthless WCKD chancellor, played with icy gusto by Patricia Clarkson, feels straight out of the Katniss-vs.-President Snow or Tris-vs.-Jeanine Matthews playbook.

Families can talk about...

  • Families can talk about the popularity of violent dystopian stories aimed at teenagers. What impact does the violence have in the story? Is it different to see violence rather than to read about it? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?

  • This story doesn't have too many girls and women in it. How do you think the various female characters are portrayed? Would you consider them role models?

  • Fans of the book: Was the movie a faithful adaptation? What differences did you like, and which scenes from the book did you miss?

Movie details

Theatrical release date:September 18, 2015
DVD release date:December 15, 2015
Cast:Kaya Scodelario, Dylan O'Brien, Ki Hong Lee, Thomas Brodie-Sangster
Director:Wes Ball
Studio:Twentieth Century Fox
Genre:Action/Adventure
Topics:Adventures, Book characters
Run time:131 minutes
MPAA rating:PG-13
MPAA explanation:extended sequences of violence and action, some thematic elements, substance use and language

This review of Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials was written by

Sandie Angulo Chen
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are conducted by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

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Teen, 13 years old Written byJabb3rjay September 20, 2015
age 18+

Disappointed

I really enjoyed the Maze Runner! I Was very excited for the scorch trials. I went to see the movie with my mom and it scared the crap out of me! We walked out about forty-five minutes into the movie. This movie isn't for tweens, it's super grotesque (just plain nasty) it only gets worse as the movie progresses. It was pretty disgusting and disappointing. I felt sick after we left This movie is on the verge of R. It can be compared to World war Z. Very twisted, graphic and dark. A huge waste of your time and money! I'm a huge tmr fan but hands down this is the worst movie I have ever watched.
What other families should know
Too much violence
Too much swearing
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Parent Written byLisastew98 September 20, 2015
age 14+

Much more violent and terrifying than 1st Maze Runner

Wow this movie was intense, very dark and violent through the entire movie. The cranks were terrifying and there were several jump scares. Very high body count and some disturbing scenes. I would not recommend this movie for under 14. It doesn't follow the book very well. I really think this movie pushes the pg-13 rating, if I could take it back I would not have taken my 11 year old to it.
What other families should know
Too much violence
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Teen, 14 years old Written byDisneymovielover77 September 18, 2015
age 12+

Great Suspenseful sequel

This movie is more violent than the first movie and there are plenty of intense scenes involving zombie like figures and these scenes are WAY more violent than the grievers in the first movie. There's especially a pretty violent scene towards the end of the movie. While the first movie was pretty violent the sequel at times has some scenes that might make you jump. It's even more suspenseful than the first scenes. There are numerous scenes that could scare viewers under 13 or 12 years old. There are some funny moments and heartwarming parts in the movie even when there's plenty of suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat. I advise you to NEVER EVER take any younger kids especially in the middle age group in elementary school due to the fact that they could get nightmares. It should be ok for families who have read the series but it is completely scary for anyone under 13 or 12 years old that's scared easily or really sensitive to dystopian films such as this Hunger Games, Divergent,etc. The zombies can be pretty frightening to some viewers. Positive Themes- Yes Bravery, not letting go of hope, and there are even references to loving 1 another. Especially in certain parts of the movie and there are also positive role models except for the villains or bad guys. Violence and scariness- There are some really intense scenes that involve zombie like people and they could give the easily frightened kids nightmares. Several gunshots and explosions also the zombies are pretty violent towards the main characters. Anything innapropiate like kissing- There is 1 kiss between 2 of the characters who are drunk at a party. Drugs, drinking, and smoking- The party scene in the movie might be uncomfortable for some parents and even some viewers. Bad Language- 1 character used the finger gesture towards someone in about the beginning of the movie. There's some curse words but there are no f bombs but still there are some pretty bad words in here. The cast was really good with there roles. There are some new characters in the movie that you can't help but want them to survive through this suspense and action movie. The Scorch Trials is overall an entertaining movie with plenty of suspense and action. It's a decent sequel that provides thrills and it will please any fans who read the second novel in the maze runner trilogy series of books. Overall it should be fine for mature viewers and parents you might want to screen the movie and make sure it's apropiate for your kids.
What other families should know
Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
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