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Sci-fi thriller

The Darkest Minds (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The Darkest Minds (2018) movie poster

The Darkest Minds is a 2018 sci-fi thriller directed by Jennifer Yuh, starring Amandla Stenberg as Ruby Daly, Golden Brooks and Mandy Moore. It is based on The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes and earned $41.1 million worldwide on a $34 million budget. Critics gave it 39 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10.

IMDb rating
5.7/10
worldwide gross
$41.1M
Echo Score
50
Metascore
39
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The Darkest Minds (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 44m (104 min)
Director
Jennifer Yuh
Genres
Sci-Fi , Thriller
Original language
English
Budget
$34M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Darkest Minds About?

The premise of The Darkest Minds without spoilers, adapted from The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Following a mysterious disease that wipes out most of the world’s children, teenage survivors develop extraordinary abilities. Deemed dangerous by the adults, these young people are imprisoned in government-run camps. Sixteen-year-old Ruby, a powerful and determined young woman, escapes and joins a group of other runaways seeking safety. As they navigate a world that fears them, they uncover a disturbing betrayal and must fight to determine their own future.

The Darkest Minds Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • supernatural power
  • mind control
  • telekinesis
  • memory erasure
  • attempted rape
  • voice over
  • disease
  • superpower
  • electricity
  • birthday
  • president
  • camp
+38 more
  • internment camp
  • escape
  • shopping mall
  • campfire
  • soldier
  • helicopter
  • prologue
  • based on young adult novel
  • refuge
  • on the run
  • fugitive
  • teenager
  • teenage girl
  • teenage boy
  • teenage love
  • teen movie
  • dystopia
  • near future
  • apocalypse
  • epidemic
  • mind reading
  • erased memory
  • president of the united states
  • glowing eyes
  • female bounty hunter
  • coming of age
  • offscreen killing
  • dark future
  • tragic past
  • government
  • concentration camp
  • little girl
  • violence against a child
  • child in jeopardy
  • title written by female
  • title co written by female
  • f rated
  • 6 years later
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Cast & crew

The Darkest Minds Cast & Characters

Amandla Stenberg leads the cast as Ruby Daly, with Golden Brooks as Molly Daly and Mandy Moore as Cate. Directed by Jennifer Yuh; 19 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Jennifer Yuh

More films directed by Jennifer Yuh, best-rated first: Kung Fu Panda 2 and Kung Fu Panda 3.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Darkest Minds Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Darkest Minds 39 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 50/100, strongest in character & emotion (70) and weakest in story & flow (35).

50 /100

The Darkest Minds Echo Score Breakdown

There is a mixed reception of The Darkest Minds, with particular criticism of its narrative coherence offset by praise for performances and visual elements. Critics frequently deride its derivative plot structure and lack of stakes, while some reviewers commend the director’s use of natural lighting and the cast's chemistry. Users echo this divide, noting enjoyably performed scenes but lamenting rushed pacing and a lack of resolution. Overall, the film feels uneven, yielding a middling overall impact.

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

  • Art & Craft 60

    In terms of art and craft, the film displays some strengths in visual composition but lacks distinctive stylistic flair. Several critics highlight the director’s effective use of natural light and framing, and a few user comments note decent visual effects and a generally comfortable watch. However, routine editing and conventional production design contribute to an overall sense of generic presentation. The art direction is serviceable but seldom memorable.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances are frequently cited as a strong element despite occasional stilted delivery. Critics observe that the main cast exhibits relaxed, nuanced interaction and credible chemistry, and users similarly praise heartfelt moments that left some viewers eager for a sequel. Conversely, a subset of reviews criticize uneven casting choices and wooden dialogue in key scenes. The film’s character work is uneven but offers notable highs.

  • Story & Flow 35

    When it comes to story and flow, the narrative is broadly regarded as derivative and lacking tension. Multiple critics note its reliance on familiar YA tropes and minimal stakes, while user feedback often mentions rushed pacing and incomplete resolution. Occasional praise emerges for the initial premise, but persistent plot holes and foggy motivations undermine engagement. The storyline feels uninspired and fails to build meaningful momentum.

  • Sensory Experience 55

    In terms of sensory experience, the film's visual style receives moderate approval but its sound design and score draw criticism. Reviewers commend the use of natural light and coherent production design, yet several users describe the music as intrusive and dialogue-heavy sequences as leaden. While the visual elements create a comfortable watch, the overall soundscape lacks distinct identity. The sensory aspects remain competent but largely unremarkable.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    When it comes to rewatch value, opinions are divided but lean toward limited replayability. Some viewers appreciate the engaging character moments and visual comfort that may encourage a return viewing, yet many criticize the lack of narrative resolution and emotional stakes. The tendency toward generic tropes and absence of a satisfying conclusion diminish the film’s lasting appeal. Consequently, the movie offers modest rewatch potential at best.

Plot

The Darkest Minds Plot Summary

What happens in The Darkest Minds from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In a dystopian future devastated by the Idiopathic Adolescent Acute Neurodegeneration plague, around 90% of American youths fall victim to its horrendous effects. However, the remaining children exhibit remarkable abilities, classified into distinct colors: Green for enhanced intelligence, Blue for telekinesis, Yellow for electrical manipulation, Red for fire control, and Orange for both telepathy and mind control. Among these, the Red and Orange children present such a threat that they are ruthlessly exterminated, while the others are confined to camps, living lives stripped of their former joys.

Full summary

The whole story of The Darkest Minds, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Darkest Minds Box Office & Budget

The Darkest Minds grossed $41.1 million worldwide on a $34 million budget, 1.2 times what it cost. $12.7 million came from the US and Canada and $28.4 million (69%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$41.1M

1.2× its budget

US & Canada
$12.7M
International
$28.4M
Budget
$34M
US & Canada 31% Rest of the world 69%
Videos

The Darkest Minds Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 clip.

The Darkest Minds | Official Trailer [HD] | 20th Century FOX
  • Trailer The Darkest Minds | What Happens Next? | 20th Century FOX
  • Clip The Darkest Minds | Watch 10 Full Minutes ft. Mandy Moore | 20th Century FOX
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Darkest Minds?

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 plague that affects children in 'The Darkest Minds'?

Cars

Cars in The Darkest Minds

20 cars on screen, including the 2012 Nissan NV 2500 HD and the 2015 Dodge Charger.

All 20 cars
  • 2012 Nissan NV 2500 HD in The Darkest Minds 2012 Nissan NV 2500 HD Main role
  • 2015 Dodge Charger in The Darkest Minds 2015 Dodge Charger Important role
  • 2016 Ford Focus in The Darkest Minds 2016 Ford Focus Important role
  • 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee in The Darkest Minds 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Important role
Details

The Darkest Minds Also Known As

29 alternative titles, including “다키스트 마인드” and “Darkest Minds : Rébellion”.

Also known as
  • 다키스트 마인드
  • Darkest Minds : Rébellion
  • The Darkest Minds - Die Überlebenden
  • Σκοτεινές Δυνάμεις
  • Тёмные отражения
  • Mentes poderosas
  • Тъмна дарба
  • Темні уми
  • 闇黑之心
  • 黑暗心灵
  • Mentes Sombrias
  • מוחות אפלים
+17 more
  • Karanlık Zihinler
  • Sötét elmék
  • Mroczne Umysły
  • Tmavá myseľ
  • Les insoumis
  • Temné síly
  • Мрачни умови
  • Minți primejdioase
  • ดาร์กเกสท์ มายด์ส จิตทมิฬ
  • Tamsiausios galios
  • Tumšākie prāti
  • Trí Lực Siêu Phàm
  • تاریک‌ترین ذهن‌ها
  • Temačen um
  • ダーケスト・マインド
  • Mračni umovi
  • Povumaj mensoj, გადარჩენილები: ბნელი ძალა

Seen The Darkest Minds?

FAQ

The Darkest Minds FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of The Darkest Minds, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Darkest Minds?

The Darkest Minds runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).

When was The Darkest Minds released?

The Darkest Minds was released on August 3, 2018.

Who directed The Darkest Minds?

The Darkest Minds was directed by Jennifer Yuh.

More films by Jennifer Yuh

Who is in the cast of The Darkest Minds?

The Darkest Minds stars Amandla Stenberg as Ruby Daly, Golden Brooks as Molly Daly and Mandy Moore as Cate, among 19 credited actors.

How much did The Darkest Minds make at the box office?

The Darkest Minds grossed $41.1 million worldwide ($12.7 million domestic, $28.4 million international) on a budget of $34 million.

How is The Darkest Minds rated?

The Darkest Minds has 5.7/10 on IMDb, 39 on Metacritic, 70% on TMDB and 2.7/5 on Letterboxd.

Is The Darkest Minds based on a book?

Yes. The Darkest Minds is adapted from The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken.

Does The Darkest Minds have a post-credit scene?

No. The Darkest Minds has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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