The Maze Runner

In The Maze Runner, there are two main mazes: one for Group A (where Thomas, Newt, and the others are) and one for Group B *(whose members are sort of "reflections" of the Gladers from the first group).

The guys from Group B (their maze is the equivalent of the Glade, called "Spring")

• Aris Jones *is the key character of Group B, often perceived as a "version" of Thomas. Smart, observant, he couldn't figure out for a long time what was true and what was a lie. He had a telepathic connection with Theresa, and he knew a lot about WCKD's plans even before the escape.
• Sonya (formerly Lizzie) *is Newt's counterpart, one of the leaders of Group B. Calm, reasonable, and able to keep the group together in stressful situations.
• Rachel *is Theresa's counterpart. She, like Teresa, retained some of her memories and participated in coordinating the tests from the inside.
• Harriet *- often considered a "version" of Alby: one of the first in her group, responsible for order and discipline.
• Other members of Group B *- in the books they are not revealed in as much detail as the Gladers from Group A, but they also had their roles and specializations, similar to farmers, runners, etc. Their main feature was that they operated in symmetrical conditions, but with slight differences in rules and dangers.

Important nuances about "other labyrinths"

• In the books *by James Dashner, there are only two full-fledged labyrinths (for Groups A and B), and they are arranged very similarly: changing walls, grievers, a central living area, a system trials.
• The films *expand on this concept, hinting at a multitude of different trials and locations, but rarely showing any specific "other kids from other labyrinths."
• All of these teenagers are immune to the "Outbreak," so WILD uses them for experiments. Most have their memories erased, and their personal stories are barely revealed: the focus is on survival and solving the trials.

In canon (the Maze Runner book series by James Dashner), the characters' exact hometowns or countries are not named—the world has changed dramatically since the disasters, and the Gladers' memories have been erased. But the following is known about the origins of some characters:

**Teresa *is from a small village that suffered from the Outbreak (epidemic); as a child, she was named Didi, lived with her parents and brother Ricky, then she was saved by Mark, Trina and Alec, and later taken by WILD (more details in the prequel "Total Threat").

• Thomas *- before getting into the Glade, he was associated with WILD; his real name is Stephen (according to the author), but where he comes from is not specified.
• Newt *- he had a sister Lizzie (later known as Sonya); before WILD, Newt's name was Sam, but the location of his house is not named.
• Minho *- origin not revealed; He is one of the first Gladers, his memory was erased.
• Alby *- One of the first to arrive in the Glade, his past is largely unexplained.
• Gally *- His past is not detailed, only that he underwent Metamorphosis and changed greatly.
• Chuck *- The youngest Glader; nothing is said about his family or where he lived before the Labyrinth.
• Zart *- The curator of the farmers; his origins are unknown.
• Frypan - The cook of the Glade; his real name is Toby, but his whereabouts are not revealed.

Newt - about 16-17 years old
Minho is about 17 years old.
Thomas is 16 years old.
Albie is 18 years old
Teresa is 17 years old.
Galli - 15 years old
Chuck - 12-13 years old
Zart - approximately 15-16 years old
Ben is about 17 years old.
Winston - about 17-18 years old

Minho and Alby ran into the maze to find out where Ben was stung. They didn't return when the maze closed. The next day, when the gates were supposed to close again, Minho and Alby showed up. Alby was unconscious and stung. Thomas broke the rules and rushed towards them. He didn't make it in time and was stuck in the maze overnight. He, Alby, Minho, and the Grievers. While escaping from the Griever, when Minho and Thomas hid Alby, a Griever attacked them and Thomas killed it. How? When a Griever was chasing Thomas, and Thomas was running between two closing walls, he waited for the Griever to follow him and then burst through the walls. Thomas escaped, but the Griever was trapped. When the maze opened, Thomas, Minho, and Alby returned. Alby was taken to the medics and then they went to a meeting. Gally yelled at Thomas and suggested punishing him, and Minho said they should make Thomas a runner. Then the elevator noise was heard, and Teresa appeared unconscious. (The elevator arrives with one newcomer and supplies.) Teresa was the last one. The elevator won't come again. Thomas decided to go into the labyrinth to "disassemble" the Griever. Minho followed him.

The Grievers from The Maze Runner are terrifying biomechanical creatures created by WILD to keep the Gladers in constant fear and weed out the weak.

In the books, they are hybrids of the living and the mechanical: they resemble enormous, slimy maggots or shapeless creatures with no discernible head, nearly two meters long. Metal limbs with blades, saws, needles, and spikes protrude from their bodies; every few seconds, the spikes suddenly spring out, and the monster can curl into a ball and roll, gaining speed. Their bodies are covered in slime, sparse fur in places, and smell of machine oil and something burnt. They move with a clanking and buzzing sound—as if knives were scraping metal, with the clicking and humming of motors.

In the film, the Grievers resemble giant, cyber-spider-like creatures: they have long mechanical legs, a slimy green body, and a robotic tail with a grappling hook.

The Griever's main danger is its sting: its bite is fatal unless administered the "Griever serum." But even the serum cannot protect against the excruciating Metamorphosis—a painful process during which the victim partially regains erased memories and suffers severe psychological damage, including seizures and aggressive outbursts.

Grievers are active at night: as soon as the Glade gates close, the creatures emerge to patrol the corridors. They seem to sense people, reacting quickly to noise and light, cornering their prey, and attacking in a coordinated fashion. They have no emotions—only programming—and therefore they are merciless. For Gladers, the Griever is the most terrifying symbol of the Labyrinth: the embodiment of a threat that is always nearby and knows no mercy.

In The Maze Runner, farmers (also known as gardeners) are Gladers responsible for growing food in the Plantation. Their supervisor is Zart: strict but fair, he ensures the work proceeds smoothly.

Every day, farmers weed their beds, till the soil, water their plants, harvest vegetables and fruits, monitor their crops, and select seeds for new plantings. They know which crops grow best in the Glade and strive to squeeze the most out of every patch of land—food is always tight. They often have to contend with pests and plant diseases, and they also have to contend with limited resources: fertilizer is scarce, tools are in short supply, and the weather can be capricious.

Farmers are usually dirtied, dressed in simple, worn clothing, with hands callused from work. Most are calm and patient: their work requires attention and perseverance. At the same time, they maintain a sense of humor and are able to stick together—if the harvest is threatened, even children from other groups come to the rescue. Farmers are vital to the Glade: without their work, the entire community would quickly run out of food, and in such harsh conditions, that would mean death.

The Maze from The Maze Runner is a grand and terrifying structure created by the organization WICKED to test Gladers. It surrounds the Glade, the central area where the teenagers live, and is divided into eight sections. The walls of the maze are high, made of rough stone or metal, with narrow passages; they shift every night, changing the configuration of the corridors, and repeat the same pattern every month—it contains the code to exit.

The labyrinth lurks grievers—terrifying mechanical creatures that pose a deadly threat to those who linger in the corridors after sunset. The passages are sometimes blocked by debris, and hidden alcoves and dead ends abound, daunting. For Gladers, the labyrinth is simultaneously a prison, a survival training ground, and a puzzle: to escape, they must decipher the logic of the shifting walls and memorize the shifting routes. In this trap, every turn poses a danger, and any mistake can cost them their lives.

The Glade from The Maze Runner is a square space the size of several football fields, surrounded by cyclopean gray stone walls, occasionally covered in ivy. At the center of each side is a passageway into the Labyrinth, sealed off every evening by massive gates.

Everything in the Glade is designed for survival: in the northeast is the Plantation, where food is grown; in the southeast is the Slaughterhouse, for breeding and slaughtering livestock; in the northwest is the Homestead (sleeping quarters), next to which is the Lockup (a place for the guilty); in the southwest is the Boneyard, a quiet grove where the dead are buried. In the very center stands the Box—a metal structure like an elevator: once a month a new Glader arrives in it, once a week supplies arrive. There is also the Map Vault, where Runners map the changes to the Maze in the evenings.

Life here is strictly organized: every teenager has a role—from cooks and medics to runners and construction workers—and order is maintained by clear rules and mutual trust. All of this is discreetly monitored by informers—WICK spies. The atmosphere in the Glade is a mixture of tense routine and constant anxiety: work is in full swing during the day, but as darkness falls, everyone rushes to take cover—for the Grievers awaken beyond the Labyrinth's gates.

WICKED (originally WICKED — World In Catastrophe: Killzone Experiment Department; in Russian translation — Rapid Response Program: Worldwide Catastrophe) is an influential organization created with the support of governments to combat the Outbreak virus, which destroys people's minds.

WILDLIFE's goal is to find a cure by studying the brains of teenagers immune to the virus. To this end, the organization conducts brutal experiments: Gladers are placed in the Glade and the Maze to track how their consciousness and behavior change under extreme conditions. The Maze is more than just an obstacle, but a complex testing system: shifting corridors, grievers, and strict time limits allow scientists to record brain reactions and identify patterns needed to develop a cure.

WIKE controls every stage of the experiment, using technology to manipulate the participants' memories and behavior, and concealing the truth from them, presenting what is happening as the only way to survive. Chancellor Ava Paige leads the organization, justifying its inhumane methods with the "higher goal" of saving the remnants of humanity. WIKE's motto is "WIKE is good," and it is used as a tool of psychological pressure to secure the loyalty of its employees.

The organization possesses extensive resources: isolated complexes, armed units, advanced technology, and a surveillance network. However, WILDLIFE does not seek overt domination—its mission is purely research—but for the sake of the "common good," it is willing to make any sacrifice, including the deaths of test subjects.

Teresa is a slender girl with black hair and pale skin; the only girl in the Glade, she was the last to arrive with a note that read, "She's the last." Outwardly calm and reserved, she maintains a somewhat aloof demeanor, making the Gladers wary of her at first. She harbors an inner tension: she hides much and acts as if she knows more than anyone else. She shares a special bond with Thomas—a telepathic understanding that helps them uncover the secrets of the Labyrinth. In critical situations, she displays determination and a willingness to take risks. Her arrival marks a turning point in the Glade and sets in motion a chain of events that leads to the uncovering of WILD's plans.

Teenager Thomas wakes up in an elevator, remembering only his name. He finds himself in the Glade—a closed area surrounded by a gigantic Maze, home to about 60 teenage Gladers, who have also partially lost their memories. The Glade has a system of roles: Runners explore the Maze every day (its walls change at night), while butchers, builders, cooks, and medics maintain the facilities. Grievers, deadly machines, hunt within the Maze at night; the gates close at night, protecting the Gladers.

Everything changes with the arrival of Theresa: she arrives in the elevator with a note reading, "She's the last." Soon, Alby, the Glader leader, is bitten by a Griever. Thomas breaks the rules and saves him, entering the Labyrinth for the first time at night. Later, Thomas discovers a hidden code in the runners' maps. To regain his memories, he deliberately allows himself to be bitten by a Griever. After "The Change," fragments of his memory return.

The Gladers fight their way to the center of the Labyrinth, enter the code, and disable the system. They enter the underground complex and discover the truth: they are being tested by the organization WILDLIFE to study the brains of teenagers immune to the Flare virus and find a cure. In the final scene, Chuck dies protecting Thomas, and the survivors are taken away by armed men—but it's clear the testing continues.

Alby is dark, serious, and has a firm gaze; he is the leader of the Gladers and the boss of the Glade. Strict but fair, he strives to maintain order and prevent chaos, taking responsibility for everyone. Over time, he becomes increasingly withdrawn and tense: the weight of leadership and constant threats weigh heavily on him. He acts deliberately, dislikes hasty decisions, and strives to maintain control even in the most difficult situations.

Minho *- a strong, wiry man; the runner's supervisor. Straightforward, blunt, but reliable; makes quick decisions, fearlessly leads the team into the Maze.

• Thomas *- a thin teenager; a runner. Brave, persistent, acts decisively, often breaking the rules to save others.

• Newt *- tall, strong, with blond hair; used to be a runner. Judicious, level-headed, able to keep his cool in dangerous situations.

• Ben - a runner (in the book); strong, resilient. After being bitten by a Griever, he becomes unpredictable and dangerous, loses control of himself.

Runners are the fastest and most resilient Gladers: they enter the Labyrinth every day before the Gates open and return before they close. Their job is to explore the corridors, compile and verify maps, and find the exit. Because of the risk involved, they are given special privileges—comfortable running shoes and wristwatches. Their work is extremely dangerous: in the Labyrinth, they can encounter Grievers at any moment, and failing to return before dark means death.

Winston *is the Butcher Supervisor; he is a strong man with an imposing presence. He is straightforward, tough, and accustomed to hard work, demanding of his subordinates and intolerant of sloppiness.

• The Butchers are a group of Gladers who work at the Slaughterhouse: strong, hardy men with callused hands. They slaughter cattle, butcher carcasses, and prepare meat; they operate with precision and teamwork, are focused on the task at hand, and value practicality and precision in their work.

Builders (called "chisels" in the Glade) are a group of Gladers responsible for constructing, repairing, and upgrading structures in the Glade.

Galli is the builders' supervisor: dark-haired, stocky; abrupt, quick-tempered, demanding of his subordinates, and strictly monitors the quality of the work.

The other builders aren't singled out as individual characters: they're strong, resilient men with calloused hands, accustomed to hard physical labor. They build shelters, reinforce fences, and repair structures—working in a coordinated manner, without unnecessary chatter, and valuing the practicality and reliability of their structures.

Clint *is a short, dark-haired medic (a med-jack), effectively the head of the medics. Calm, collected, and responsible for treatment, he tries to maintain his composure even in difficult situations.

• Jeff is a large man with a high-pitched voice; he is a medic and Clint's partner. Diligent, attentive to detail, he works in sync with Clint and maintains order in the med hut.

Together, they treat wounds, monitor the condition of the sick, and keep track of medications—their work is critical to the Gladers' survival.

Thomas *- the main character, a thin teenager; a runner, later - one of the leaders of the Gladers. Brave, stubborn, prone to acting impulsively; feels responsible for others.

• Newt *- tall, strong, with blond hair; the second most important in the Glade after Alby. Reasonable, kind, supports his comrades, knows how to smooth over conflicts.

• Minho *- strong, wiry; curator of the runners. Straightforward, abrupt, but reliable; makes quick decisions in critical situations.

• Alby *- dark, serious; leader of the Gladers. Strict, tries to maintain order, over time becomes more and more withdrawn and anxious.

• Chuck *- short, plump, the youngest; assistant, "guide" for newcomers. Naive, talkative, kind; sincerely attached to friends.

• Gally *- dark-haired, stocky; one of the older Gladers. Hot-tempered, argumentative, distrustful; openly resists change.

• Frypan *- tall, with a beard; the cook of the Glade. Practical, a little grumpy, makes sure that everyone is fed; is jealous of his cooking.

• Theresa *- a slender girl; the only girl in the Glade. Calm on the outside, but tense on the inside; acts mysteriously, hides a lot.

• Clint and Jeff *- the coppers (medical workers) of the Glade: Clint is short, with dark hair, Jeff is large, with a high-pitched voice. Responsible, try to help everyone, work as a team.

• Zart *is a large, silent man; he oversees the gardeners. He is laconic, thorough, doesn't like fuss, and takes his work seriously.

• Winston is a strong man; he oversees the butchers. He is tough in his work, straightforward, accustomed to hard work, and not prone to sentimentality.