Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that The Maze Runner is based on the first novel in James Dashner's best-selling young adult trilogy. The movie, like the book, is a cross between Lord of the Flies, Ender's Game, and The Hunger Games and should appeal to fans of the books and of star Dylan O'Brien (Teen Wolf). There's more strong language ("s--t," "a--hole," "bitch") in the movie than in the book, which featured mostly made up curse words like "shuck" and "klunk." Unlike many other popular teen movies, The Maze Runner doesn't highlight a central romance (at least in this installment), but it definitely includes the same amount of intense violence -- some of it teen on teen, some of it creature on teen, and much of it weapons based. Characters die, and the scenes in which the mechanized Grievers kill the boys are particularly disturbing. Main character Thomas is a great role model, helping his friends and standing up to authority when necessary.
Sexual
Content
Not applicable
Violence
Violence is on par with the source books and similar YA-based dystopian thrillers. Teens rally together to kill huge, mechanized, spider-like monsters called Grievers. Characters die from being stung or otherwise killed by the Grievers; others die after being shot or speared, and a whole roomful of adults is found dead. The scenes of the Grievers killing the boys are particularly frightening and horrific.
Language
Occasional language includes "s--t," "a--hole," "son of a bitch," "bastards," "damn," and "oh my God!"
Social
Behavior
The movie encourages challenging authority and questioning complacency -- to take risks when necessary and to defend the powerless.
Consumerism
Not applicable
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
The guys in the Glade drink an unspecified drink that's strong and makes Thomas scrunch up his face, but it's unclear whether it's alcohol or not.
