The Darkest Minds
Performance & Direction: The Darkest Minds Review
Last updated: January 26, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Darkest Minds (2018) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Action.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Action is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Darkest Minds features a noteworthy lineup led by Amandla Stenberg . Supported by the likes of Harris Dickinson and Patrick Gibson , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Darkest Minds (2018) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 7.0/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: The Darkest Minds
Quick Plot Summary: The Darkest Minds is a Action, Adventure, Drama film that delivers highly intense sequences and pulse-pounding confrontations that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The narrative structure follows a classic action blueprint: establish the protagonist's world, introduce a formidable antagonist, and escalate the stakes through increasingly intense confrontations. After a disease kills 98% of America's children, the surviving 2% develop superpowers and are placed in internment camps. A 16-year-old girl escapes her camp and joins a group of other teens on the run from the government. The film balances spectacular set pieces with character moments, ensuring the action serves the story rather than overwhelming it. This approach calls everyone and everything into question as the plot unfolds.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The film opens with an explosive sequence that immediately establishes the stakes and introduces our protagonist in action.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The final confrontation delivers on the buildup, with stakes at their highest and the protagonist using everything they've learned.
Ending Explained: The Darkest Minds
Ending Breakdown: The Darkest Minds resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to action resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the action themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Darkest Minds reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Darkest Minds?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Action films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want an adrenaline rush without demanding perfection
Box Office Collection: The Darkest Minds
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $34.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $41.1M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
The Darkest Minds Budget
The estimated production budget for The Darkest Minds is $34.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: The Darkest Minds
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The Darkest Minds Online?
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Amazon VideoGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeThe Darkest Minds Parents Guide & Age Rating
2018 AdvisoryWondering about The Darkest Minds age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Darkest Minds is 105 minutes (1h 45m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.0/10, and global performance metrics, The Darkest Minds is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2018 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Darkest Minds worth watching?
The Darkest Minds is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Action movies. It has a verified rating of 7/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Darkest Minds parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Darkest Minds identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Darkest Minds?
The total duration of The Darkest Minds is 105 minutes, which is approximately 1h 45m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Darkest Minds
Darkest Minds: Rainbow They grow slightly older and have kids. Some of those kids are new colours. I like purple. Purple is cool.
Really bad, the kind of thing that probably at least would have been commercially succesful about five years ago, but now? Ends up not only a box office lightweight, but also a failure of a story. _Final rating:★½: - Boring/disappointing. Avoid where possible._
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
