Cube (1997)

6 complete strangers of widely varying personality characteristics are involuntarily placed in an endless maze containing deadly traps.

Director:

Vincenzo Natali

Writers:

André Bijelic (as Andre Bijelic), Vincenzo Natali

Stars:

Nicole de Boer, Maurice Dean Wint, David Hewlett

13 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Nicole de Boer	...	Leaven
Nicky Guadagni	...	Holloway
David Hewlett	...	Worth
Andrew Miller	...	Kazan
Julian Richings	...	Alderson
Wayne Robson	...	Rennes
Maurice Dean Wint	...	Quentin

Storyline

Six different people, each from a very different walk of life, awaken to find themselves inside a giant cube with thousands of possible rooms. Each has a skill that becomes clear when they must band together to get out: a cop, a math whiz, a building designer, a doctor, an escape master, and a disabled man. Each plays a part in their thrilling quest to find answers as to why they've been imprisoned.

---

Plot Keywords:

maze | trap | escape | red light | labyrinth | 

---

Taglines:

The only way out lies within your own mind.

---

Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some strong sci-fi violence/gore and language

Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English German

Release Date:

11 July 1998 (Netherlands)

Also Known As:

El cubo

Filming Locations:

Wallace Avenue Studios, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

CAD 365,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$57,147, 13 September 1998, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$501,818

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cube Libre, Odeon Films, Ontario Film Development Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Vincenzo Natali went to high school with actor David Hewlett. Moreover, Hewlett recommended that Natali cast Andrew Miller as Kazan. Hewlett had previously worked with Miller in a play.

---

Goofs

Throughout the movie they are told to suck on the buttons from their shirts. In one scene, once Holloway climbs into the next room, Quentin is sucking on his button. He immediately speaks to Worth, muddling some words because of the button in his mouth. All of a sudden, the button disappears from his mouth and is in his hand again, and he then puts it back into his mouth.

---

Quotes

Leaven: [Leaven, Kazan & Worth reaching the exit of the cube] What are you doing? You can't quit now. It's not your fault!
Worth: I have nothing... to live for out there.
Leaven: What is out there?
Worth: Boundless human stupidity.
Leaven: I can live with that.

---

Connections

Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Torture Porn Movies (2013)

---

Soundtracks

David Torn
(Q-up Arts)

User Reviews

One of the most original sci-fi films of the last decade

If you were to think about what situation would terrify you the most, Cube would be the ultimate challenge. In a way, it is a predecessor to TV's "Survivor" in which the people each have a skill that can help them survive and possibly get them out. It all comes down to human emotions and confrontations that get in the way of progress. It's a talky film, but that's the point-- figuring situations and dealing with different personalities is inevitable to any group. The solving of problems becomes very complex, but the viewer doesn't have to worry...let the characters figure it out as we go along for the ride. While so many sci-fi films want to wow you with effects, this film does something more challenging--it makes you think. With its limited budget and digital effects in use even before Titanic glorified them, Cube still proves itself as one of the more original and intelligent sci-fi films of the last decade, with a cult status already going strong. It is truly a nail-biter.