The Return of Dystopia: Are You Ready to Get Lost in the Labyrinth Again?
If you’re a fan of dystopian dramas that had your heart racing and your brain pondering in equal measure during the 2010s, buckle up! One of those franchises is making its rounds again in the whimsical world of Prime Video. Yes, folks, it looks like the Labyrinth is not just a place for panicked teens trying to dodge death at every turn – it’s also a place you can revisit on your couch while wearing your pajamas. How charming!
The Dystopian Deluge of the 2010s
Ah, the 2010s – a decade when every third film seemed to feature post-apocalyptic chaos, all-consuming corporations, and teenagers who could somehow run, jump, and fight their way through a dystopian hell while managing to look fabulous (a feat I still can’t accomplish during a simple grocery run). We had iconic franchises like The Hunger Games with Katniss Everdeen battling evil regimes one bow-and-arrow shot at a time, and Divergent, which successfully examined how hard it is to fit in when you’re just too darn talented!
Yet, among these colossal freak shows of moral dilemmas and teenage angst, one saga has been waiting patiently for a comeback – The Labyrinth trilogy. Yes, folks, it’s the gift that keeps on giving, like a bad rash or a long-forgotten subscription to a fitness magazine.
Revisiting the Labyrinth: A Triumphant Return?
For those of you with a memory that can’t outlast your mobile’s screen time alerts, let’s refresh your memory about The Labyrinth trilogy. Kicking off with The Labyrinth in 2014, followed by Scorched Earth in 2015 and wrapping up with The Deadly Cure in 2018, this series, adapted from James Dashner’s gripping novels, took us on a whirlwind ride through mazes, survival, and enough frantic running to get anyone’s heart pumping – and mine still races every time I see a staircase!
Picture this: a massive maze that changes its layout every night! Sounds like my living room after a kid’s birthday party! Thomas, the protagonist, wakes up with a bad case of amnesia and only fleeting dreams of an ominous organization called WCKD – and here I thought my insomnia was a problem. He’s got to figure out how to escape while navigating a labyrinth of terrifying creatures and his own memory gaps. Honestly, we’ve all been there, haven’t we? Talk about relatable content!
Box Office Success and New Talent
The trilogy, helmed by director Wes Ball, didn’t just survive; it prospered, boasting a staggering $1 billion in global box office revenues! That’s more than some countries make in a year! With 9 million viewers in France alone (are we sure France had that many teens?), it certainly left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape, right alongside The Hunger Games and Divergent.
And let’s not forget the breakout stars! It was practically a launchpad for young talent, showcasing the likes of Dylan O’Brien, Will Poulter, Kaya Scodelario, and Thomas Brodie-Sangster. Who knew you could become famous for running around with no idea what is actually going on? I’ve been trying to perfect that for years on my morning jog!
What’s Next for the Labyrinth?
Now, here comes the juicy bit – 20th Century Fox has come charging back onto the scene with the thrilling announcement of a “new version” of The Labyrinth. And who’s at the wheel? None other than Wes Ball himself, who’s graduated from mazes to apes in the upcoming Planet of the Apes: The New Kingdom. Can you feel the excitement?!
While we eagerly await this resurgence, why not take a stroll down memory lane? Rewatch the original trilogy on Prime Video – it’s the perfect excuse to binge-watch with a tub of ice cream. Because honestly, what better way to celebrate dystopian struggles than with something equally frustrating: the idea of going outside?
So, grab your remote, cozy up, and prepare for the chaotic nostalgia that is The Labyrinth. And remember, if you ever get stuck, just like Thomas, all you need is to find a way out – or, you know, shout at the screen in frustration. That works too!
If you like the dystopian franchises that thrilled generations in the 2010s, one of them is available again in the Prime Video catalog. And she will surely return to our screens!
The 2010s were very prolific in terms of science fiction blockbusters for teens and young adults. For a decade, many dystopian franchises, filled with drama, action, futuristic sequences, combative characters and socio-political plots and struggles, have been a hit at the box office.
You probably remember The Hunger Games, which continues with new films like The Ballad of the Serpent and the Songbird, and Divergent, but there is another saga, also adapted from successful novels, which has also conquered the hearts of an entire generation. And good news, you will be able to (re)discover this franchise on Prime Video.
The “Labyrinth” trilogy to rewatch… before its return?
Remember the post-apocalyptic sci-fi franchise The Labyrinth, consisting of three films, The Labyrinth (2014), The Labyrinth: Scorched Earth (2015) and The Labyrinth: The Deadly Cure (2018) and adapted from the novels of James Dashner.
This franchise tells the story of survivors in a giant maze whose plan changes every night. The hero Thomas finds himself caught in the trap and has no memory of the outside world except strange dreams about a mysterious organization called WCKD
By connecting certain fragments of his past, with clues that he discovers within the labyrinth, Thomas hopes to find a way to escape and help his new companions in misfortune to escape too.
Twentieth Century Fox France
The trilogy directed by Wes Ball was a real success at the box office with almost 1 billion dollars in cumulative revenue worldwide (and 9 million cumulative admissions in France) for the three films, The Labyrinth left its mark on an entire generation like The Hunger Games and Divergent.
Often praised for its well-crafted storyline, its fascinating and frightening dystopian universe, the Labyrinth saga was a breeding ground for young talents such as Dylan O’Brien, Will Poulter, Kaya Scodelario and Thomas Brodie-Sangster.
And it may not be over! Indeed, 20th Century Fox recently announced that the saga would be relaunched with a “new version” of Labyrinth, produced by Wes Ball, who recently directed Planet of the Apes: The New Kingdom. In the meantime, you can rewatch the original trilogy on Prime Video.
