Cube Zero (2004)

47% of users liked it
(24,377 ratings)

Writer/director Ernie Barbarash helms this prequel to the sci-fi thriller Cube, with events that unfold some time prior to those in first picture. Here, another group of prisoners navigate the treacherous confines of their futuristic trappings. Each step is potentially the last as the deadly last… More Writer/director Ernie Barbarash helms this prequel to the sci-fi thriller Cube, with events that unfold some time prior to those in first picture. Here, another group of prisoners navigate the treacherous confines of their futuristic trappings. Each step is potentially the last as the deadly last traps hidden in the sparse rooms find the numbers of the unwilling prisoners quickly thinning. Only when they can figure out the mysteries of their constantly changing prison will the surviving inmates have any hope for escape, and even then there is no guarantee of freedom -- much less survival. As the cube workers who monitor the prisoners progress bear witness to their increasingly grim bid for survival, a sudden sting of remorse finds one of the employees empathizing with the victims and plotting to assist them in their unlikely escape. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 37 min.
Directed By: Ernie Barbarash
Written By: Ernie Barbarash
Genres: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Horror

In Theaters: Oct 15, 2004 Wide
On DVD: Feb 22, 2005

Critic Reviews

Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Explora com certa eficiência a premissa da série, expandindo-a de forma interessante e incluindo, como bônus, um desfecho que amarra a trilogia com elegância.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...the most surprising thing about Cube Zero is how effective it is, particularly when compared to its predecessor...
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Cube Zero moves along at a brisk pace, doling out its death-knells in a reliable cadence, delivering a solid balance between high-end gore and a nifty narrative.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Jeff "

Third entry of the Cube series is a prequel to the original. This was a decent entry in the series, but it felt even more like a B movie film. Yes, the first two were low-budget affairs, but they were creative, and unique. Exploring ideas that were really intriguing in the horror… More
Third entry of the Cube series is a prequel to the original. This was a decent entry in the series, but it felt even more like a B movie film. Yes, the first two were low-budget affairs, but they were creative, and unique. Exploring ideas that were really intriguing in the horror medium. Cube Zero is an interesting, but flawed prequel. Compared to the first film, this film really is inferior in terms of quality, and there's plenty of room for improvement in this film. The ideas expressed in this prequel are interesting, but lack something to really make this a standout film in this trilogy. The acting is pretty decent here, nothing ever great. The film had some good ideas here, but at time you can see the film missing the mark and what could be a good prequel ends up being a decent Sci Fi horror flick. This film is never anything great, and it's a shame because this film could have been a memorable prequel. This film could be much better, and it's a shame that there was such a lot of potential here to make this a great prequel, but in ends up being a decent film. Don't expect much from this one, expect to be mildly entertained, and you won't be disappointed. However you'll realize that there's something missing from this film to really make it standout. As a whole, this prequel is simply a decent prequel with a lot of potential to really make it great. Unfortunately the scripts limitations prevents this from being a terrific film.
Justin Y

Erin Barbarash's Cube Zero looks to explore more of the universe started by the original Cube movie.Slated as a prequel to the first Cube film, this picture, more or less, stands on its own; however, those that… More
Erin Barbarash's Cube Zero looks to explore more of the universe started by the original Cube movie.Slated as a prequel to the first Cube film, this picture, more or less, stands on its own; however, those that have viewed the original film will understand more about the concept, as well as get a kick out of the ending.After an intense opening sequence, the film splits the time inside the cube with time outside of the cube. These "exterior" scenes tend to provide the answers for why this is happening. The problem is that it also raises other questions. Basically, the story is answering questions with questions.The deaths are quite gruesome, but there is just not enough time spent in the cube to keep these scenes, as well as the suspense level, up at good entertainment value. This is a shame.The acting is decent, but not great as Stephanie Moore and Zachary Bennett fail to leave their mark on the film. Michael Riley, on the other hand, is quite the character in this one.This 90 minute picture does expand out, but in doing so it also fails to deliver in other areas.
Wahida K

I watched this Movie twice, honestly it bored me alot.
Greg S

Soldiers observing prisoners navigate a booby-trapped prison Cube start to question whether the Cube's builders have humanity's best interests at heart. The atmosphere of mystery and paranoia from the first two CUBE films is jettisoned in favor of explicit gore, elaborate… More
Soldiers observing prisoners navigate a booby-trapped prison Cube start to question whether the Cube's builders have humanity's best interests at heart. The atmosphere of mystery and paranoia from the first two CUBE films is jettisoned in favor of explicit gore, elaborate traps, and a cartoonish villain with a glittery metal implant for an eye; probably deals a fatal blow to the CUBE franchise, but it's not terrible strictly on a B-movie level.
_kelly .

If you show me a YES and NO button, I want to know what the YES button does, even if I'm sure I already know. This is one example of some stinky plot holes in this lil flick. This is an outright disappointing movie. Whilst, I like the concept that there are people monitoring the… More
If you show me a YES and NO button, I want to know what the YES button does, even if I'm sure I already know. This is one example of some stinky plot holes in this lil flick. This is an outright disappointing movie. Whilst, I like the concept that there are people monitoring the Cube and our fascination with "what is outside the Cube?" has finally been answered, too much of the story is contrary to the idea of the Cube as something that humans made through mindless bureaucracy, but is now essentially an independent entity gone out of control. In this Cube, the Cube has many design flaws and has been masterminded by a group of unknown "guys upstairs". This no longer a blind shuffle into death camps, this is a carefully planned organization utilizing a new brand of gulags, and "they" become the antagonist in place of the Cube itself. The acting is decent (for television), but the people inside the Cube are running through the same plot as the first movie and the 'sliced to pieces' kill famous from the first flick is repeated during a weaker point in this flick. My biggest problem is a design one: though the Cube has been reverted to the multicolor oppressive grey of the first version, all of the doors are now circular. Don't call it Cube and give it circular doors - it completely RUINED all of the shots within the Cube. Furthermore, I've seen tons of exploitation and B movies, but this is the first to infer that you could MANUFACTURE AUTISTIC PERSONS.
Lafe F

The Cube prequel which shows things behind the scenes of those who are running the Cube maze; and they're just as much in the dark as those who are in it. The guard characters are either annoying or unrealistic. It reminded me of THX-1138 and Cube #1. The religious elements were… More
The Cube prequel which shows things behind the scenes of those who are running the Cube maze; and they're just as much in the dark as those who are in it. The guard characters are either annoying or unrealistic. It reminded me of THX-1138 and Cube #1. The religious elements were fascinating. Entertaining, but nowhere near the classic.
Chris M

Focuses more on what goes on outside the Cube instead of inside. To much repetition between the previous two movies make this a bad prequel in many different ways. Poor to say the least.
Matthew A

The first scene was the BEST as it was goriest in a way that I haven't seen something like this happen in any other movie before. The storyline was amazing and linked to the 1st Cube very well.
Laurence C

Cube Zero thinks it's so smart it's laughable, and as a prequel only spits on the original by trying to explain everything. Keep the mystery alive... skip this atrocious prequel!