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Sci-fi thriller

Meander (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Meander (2021) movie poster

Meander is a 2021 sci-fi thriller directed by Mathieu Turi, starring Gaia Weiss as Lisa, Eva Niewdanski and Peter Franzén. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes and earned $675,001 worldwide. Critics gave it 86% on Rotten Tomatoes and 63 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10.

IMDb rating
7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
86%
worldwide gross
$675K
Echo Score
59
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Meander (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 30m (90 min)
Director
Mathieu Turi
Genres
Sci-Fi , Drama , Mystery , Thriller
Original language
French
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Meander About?

The premise of Meander without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Lisa finds herself trapped within a narrow, inescapable tube, facing a terrifying ordeal. Every eight minutes, flames erupt, consuming sections of her surroundings. A timer on her wrist relentlessly counts down, emphasizing the urgency of her situation. To survive, she must confront painful memories of her deceased daughter, hoping to uncover the reason for her confinement and discover a means of escape from this deadly trap.

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Cast & crew

Meander Cast & Characters

Gaia Weiss leads the cast as Lisa, with Eva Niewdanski as Lisa adolescente and Peter Franzén as Adam. Directed by Mathieu Turi; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Meander

· 6 more
From the director

More from Mathieu Turi

One more film directed by Mathieu Turi: The Deep Dark.

Full filmography
Ratings

Meander Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Meander 86% on Rotten Tomatoes and 63 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 59/100, strongest in art & craft (72) and weakest in story & flow (44).

59 /100

Meander Echo Score Breakdown

Meander presents a tightly constructed maze environment that sustains suspense, yet its narrative cohesion and character development often falter. Critics highlight effective visual design and moments of tension, while audience reactions point to uneven pacing and an undercooked climax. The film’s sensory texture and occasional inventive twists are offset by a script that leaves many viewers disconnected, resulting in a mixed overall impression that hovers near the midpoint of the rating scale.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 72

    In terms of art and craft, the film excels with an intricate, claustrophobic set design and polished visual execution. Reviewers note the sleek editing and deliberate direction that maintain tension throughout most of the runtime. Some criticism arises around repetitive trap sequences, yet the overall production values and cinematography are regarded as strong. Consequently, the artistic component registers as solid and above average.

  • Character & Emotion 56

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances receive both praise and critique. The lead actress is acknowledged for delivering a nuanced portrayal that anchors the story’s emotional core. However, several commentators observe a lack of connection with the protagonist and a script that hampers depth. The mixed feedback on chemistry and resonance positions the character aspect in the moderate range.

  • Story & Flow 44

    Regarding story and flow, the plot is viewed as uneven and at times confusing. While the premise offers originality through its maze setting, many reviewers point out pacing issues and a climax that fails to deliver resolution. The narrative’s coherence suffers from underdeveloped twists, leading to a perception of a weaker storyline overall.

  • Sensory Experience 68

    In the sensory experience domain, the film’s visual style and sound design are frequently highlighted as compelling. The claustrophobic atmosphere and tense soundtrack amplify the horror elements, creating an immersive environment. Even critics who find the content unsettling acknowledge the effective use of visual and auditory cues, resulting in a relatively high sensory score.

  • Rewatch Factor 54

    Assessing rewatch factor, the movie offers occasional twists that may reward repeat viewings for genre enthusiasts. Nonetheless, the lack of narrative payoff and mixed audience satisfaction diminish its lasting appeal. While some viewers find the experience thought‑provoking, the overall replay value settles in the middle of the scale.

Plot

Meander Plot Summary

What happens in Meander from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

On a deserted stretch of road somewhere in America, Lisa accepts a ride from a man with a cross tattoo on his right hand. He introduces himself as Adam, and they chat about ordinary things while she reveals that she once had a daughter, Nina, who died young, and that today would have been her ninth birthday. A radio report describes the main suspect in a serial killer case as having a tattoo that exactly resembles Adam’s. Before Lisa can react, he slams on the brakes, she slams her head on the dashboard, and consciousness slips away.

Full summary

The whole story of Meander, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Meander Box Office

Meander grossed $675,001 worldwide.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$675K

International
$675K
Videos

Meander Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Meander.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Meander?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the man who gives Lisa a ride at the beginning of the film?

Details

Meander Also Known As

20 alternative titles, including “Меандр” and “Meander - Survival Instinct”.

Also known as
  • Меандр
  • Meander - Survival Instinct
  • Бегущая в лабиринте
  • Meander - Trappola mortale
  • Labirinto do Terror
  • 蜿蜒
  • Meandr
  • El tubo
  • 이스케이프 큐브
  • Лабиринт
  • Tüp
  • Та, що біжить лабіринтом
+8 more
  • 絕命空間
  • פיתולים
  • Halálos útvesztő
  • Địa Đạo Đẫm Máu
  • Laberinto del terror
  • Bėganti labirinte
  • Meandrs
  • Меандар

Seen Meander?

FAQ

Meander FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Meander, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Meander?

Meander runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).

When was Meander released?

Meander was released on July 9, 2021.

Who directed Meander?

Meander was directed by Mathieu Turi.

More films by Mathieu Turi

Who is in the cast of Meander?

Meander stars Gaia Weiss as Lisa, Eva Niewdanski as Lisa adolescente and Peter Franzén as Adam, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Meander make at the box office?

Meander grossed $675,001 worldwide.

How is Meander rated?

Meander has 7.6/10 on IMDb, 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, 63 on Metacritic and 60% on TMDB.

Does Meander have a post-credit scene?

No. Meander has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Meander in?

The original language of Meander is French.

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