The Darkest Minds

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The Darkest Minds

PG-13

Released Aug 3, 2018

1h 44m

Sci-Fi

Mystery & Thriller

Action

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Popcornmeter

15%

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139 Reviews

70%

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2,500+ Ratings

When teens mysteriously develop powerful new abilities, they are declared a threat by the government and detained. One of the most powerful young people, Ruby, escapes from her camp and joins a group of runaways who are seeking a safe haven. Betrayed by the adults in power, this newfound family soon realizes that running is not enough -- they must use their collective powers to wage a resistance and take back their future.

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Critics Consensus

The Darkest Minds does little to differentiate itself in a crowded field of YA adaptations, leaving all but the least demanding viewers feeling dystopian déjà vu.

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Ben Sachs

Chicago Reader

To say the film suggests a mix of hazy political allegory and Henry Darger's outside-art classic The Story of the Vivian Girls is to make it sound more interesting than it really is.

Mar 4, 2020

Full Review

Roxana Hadadi

Chesapeake Family Magazine

The Darkest Minds puts an X-Men spin on the typical 'teens in dystopia' YA formula, but the result is more derivative than creative.

Rated: 2/5

Aug 17, 2018

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Sandra Hall

Sydney Morning Herald

The film is framed so deliberately as a prelude to more exciting times to come in its sequels that it renders the ending oddly anti-climactic.

Rated: 2.5/5

Aug 15, 2018

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Brittany Patrice Witherspoon

Pop Culture Reviews

The Darkest Minds has some great ideas and moments sprinkled throughout the film, but ultimately, it is uninspired storytelling that wastes its potential on forced build-up rather than execution.

Rated: 2.5/5

Jul 11, 2024

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Joe Lipsett

Hazel & Katniss & Harry & Starr Podcast

The film leans into all of the book's worst impulses and, most disappointingly, gives star Amandla Stenberg nothing to do. The FX is on par with other YA films, but the disinterest in exploring this dystopia renders The Darkest Minds hollow.

Dec 1, 2021

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Matt Cipolla

Film Monthly

[I]t isn't much of anything new, but must it be this boring? The Darkest Minds is stultifying -- a truly joyless experience of YA clichés and generic, licensed pop songs.

Rated: 1.5/5

Jul 25, 2020

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Jens S

How can someone make such an interesting theme into such a boring movie? For the first time ever, I had to force myself to keep watching and not skip 80% of the movie. Really disappointing.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/29/25

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Rachel C

I honestly thought the movie was good. The story line is a little over done but it still grabbed my attention. I do wish the movie had a better ending, other than that in my opinion the movie is worth the watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/25/25

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Nicole W

Hidden gem! Late on this one, I loved it. Surprised it didn't get good reviews. Great story, unique for me. Some well known actors playing some roles. Good romance. I see there is not a second one, so I'll definitely be getting the books to see how it ends. Wish directors/producers would finish series. Finding so many great movies that weren't "great" in their time or didn't hit the right audience so the sequels were never made.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/25/25

Full Review

Winsy Winsky W

I finally watched The Darkest Minds — and honestly, it wasn’t bad at all. The premise is strong and the young cast delivered some heartfelt moments. Amandla Stenberg carried the emotional weight well, and I was especially happy to see Mandy Moore in a more serious role — she brought a calm intensity that really worked. It’s not perfect — some parts felt rushed and a bit too “YA formula” — but I still found myself invested. The world-building had real potential, and just when things were getting good… it ended. I definitely wanted more. It’s a pity the franchise didn’t continue — it feels like the story was just beginning.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/21/25

Full Review

Myanah D

nothing could make me hate this movie, it’s very cute, the romance was compelling, and liam and ruby’s ending made me cry genuine tears. (although I am a naturally emotional person.) like most book adaption films, it’s not as good as it’s written form. but that’s okay. it’s a nice YA movie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/02/25

Full Review

Julian Rex M

Tastelessly written and comically derivative, even The Darkest Minds' few thought-provoking (and highly contrived) elements fail to support a flatly unconvincing, woodenly acted tribute to the flaws of the long-stale YA dystopia genre.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

07/10/25

Full Review

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Jennifer Yuh Nelson

Director

Amandla Stenberg

Ruby Daly

Mandy Moore

Cate

Bradley Whitford

President Gray

Harris Dickinson

Liam

Patrick Gibson

Clancy Gray

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The Darkest Minds: 'What Happens Next?' - Trailer

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The Darkest Minds: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

When teens mysteriously develop powerful new abilities, they are declared a threat by the government and detained. One of the most powerful young people, Ruby, escapes from her camp and joins a group of runaways who are seeking a safe haven. Betrayed by the adults in power, this newfound family soon realizes that running is not enough -- they must use their collective powers to wage a resistance and take back their future.

Director: Jennifer Yuh Nelson
Producer: Shawn Levy, Dan Levine
Screenwriter: Chad Hodge
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: 21 Laps Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Elements|Disturbing Images|Violence)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Mystery & Thriller, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 3, 2018, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 2, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $12.7M
Runtime: 1h 44m
Sound Mix: Dolby Atmos, DTS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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