Cube (1997)

59% of critics liked it
(34 reviews)
74% of users liked it
(84,907 ratings)

This low-budget science-fiction drama, winner of a 1997 Toronto Film Festival prize for "Best Canadian First Feature," depicts the plight of a group of people clad in prison-style uniforms and trapped in futuristic cube-like metal cells. Their memories are hazy; no one can recall how they got there.… More This low-budget science-fiction drama, winner of a 1997 Toronto Film Festival prize for "Best Canadian First Feature," depicts the plight of a group of people clad in prison-style uniforms and trapped in futuristic cube-like metal cells. Their memories are hazy; no one can recall how they got there. Alderson (Julian Richings) awakens in a cell, seeks an exit, and arrives in an adjacent cube where he's sliced and diced. Former cop Quentin (Maurice Dean-Wint) becomes the group leader, and he's challenged by conspiracy theorist Dr. Holloway (Nicky Guadagni). Government worker Worth (David Hewlett) remembers a past government link to the project. A discovery that the cubes have numerical codes suggests study by math-student Leaven (Nicole deBoer) while former thief Rennes (Wayne Robson) knows some escape tricks. However, the extreme behavior of Kazan (Andrew Miller) becomes a threat to their survival. The film was also shown at the 1997 Vancouver Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Vincenzo Natali
Written By: Andre Bijelic, Vincenzo Natali, Graeme Manson
Genres: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Horror

In Theaters: Sep 11, 1998 Wide
On DVD: Apr 15, 2003
Studio: Trimark Pictures

Critic Reviews

Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
Cube was named best Canadian debut feature at Toronto last year, and there's no questioning Natali, clearly a visionary, is an important new talent.
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
If you have an innate fear of being trapped in an elevator, either alone or with a group of panicky, talky people, you'll appreciate the kind of tension that Vincenzo Natali tries to work up in his sci-fi thriller, Cube.
Anita Gates, New York Times
Surprisingly gripping.
Bob Graham, San Francisco Chronicle
If writer-director Vincenzo Natali, storyboard artist for Keanu Reeve's Johnny Mnemonic, were as comfortable with dialogue and dramatizing characters as he is with images, this first feature of his might have worked better.
Alex Fitch, Electric Sheep
The lack of information, the strange Jack Kirbyesque details on the walls and the absence of any outside world makes the environment of the film timeless and suitably, subtly existential.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Nem mesmo os diálogos pedestres e as atuações medianas conseguem destruir o interesse gerado por um conceito interessante, ainda que mal desenvolvido.
James O'Ehley, Sci-Fi Movie Page
Quite a good sci-fi thriller that has built up a deserving cult audience since its original release . . .
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
A bizarre, frightening, and clever new low-budget movie with a "Twilight Zone"-ish premise.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
One of the smartest, most nail-biting thrillers in EON's
Nick Schager, Slant Magazine
Cube is a film boxed in by its own intriguing central premise.
Nick Schager, Slant Magazine
Cube proves the time-honored maxim that there's no better guide out of a complex maze than an autistic man-child with incredible mathematical skills.
Rob Vaux, Flipside Movie Emporium
The film's clever gimmick holds up well, despite a cold, clinical tone.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
For the six trapped characters in this film their own warps are their worst enemies.

Read all 13 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

John M

A neat idea with decent acting and a solid story. This is what film making should be about.
Lorenzo v

"The Walls Are Closing In." 7 complete strangers of widely varying personality characteristics are involuntarily placed in an endless kafkaesque maze containing deadly traps. <center>"The Walls Are Closing In." 7 complete strangers of widely varying personality characteristics are involuntarily placed in an endless kafkaesque maze containing deadly traps. <center>REVIEW</center> "Cube" is one of the most inventive low-budget sci-fi films of all-time. It proves that science fiction is about ideas and not huge budgets and over-indulgence in CGI. Its not a masterpiece (in my mind it doesn't come close to the 90s other low-budget sci-fi cult favorite "Pi"), but certainly deserves much of the hype it received. Vincenzo Natali shows much promise as a filmmaker and a screenwriter. He knows how to maintain tension and stretch out what seems to be an overtly simple short-film concept. His screenplay is also quite good, remaining credible (something few sci-fi films manage to do) and intelligent with intriguing characters. Its a bit predictable at times (of course the autistic man is going to end up being a math genius) but never overtly so. Plus, for gore-hounds, the death scenes are absolutely phenomenal and innovative.
Mike S

Some movies don't need a big budget to be really good, and this is one of them. An intriguing and convincingly acted sci-fi horror, that stands firmly on its intelligently written script. The fact that most of the actors are anonymous no-names, actually benefits the story as it… More
Some movies don't need a big budget to be really good, and this is one of them. An intriguing and convincingly acted sci-fi horror, that stands firmly on its intelligently written script. The fact that most of the actors are anonymous no-names, actually benefits the story as it made it more unpredictable. Each and every character have something interesting about them, and it's the emotional process they go through that makes the film exciting. Be wary though, because it's not for the claustrophobic.
Bruce B

From the 1997 Toronto International Film Festival, and its one of there best suspense thrillers out there. I for one never knew of the cube series, but after watching this one I will obtain the others. Six people find themselves locked in a cube with six exits, all but one hold traps,… More
From the 1997 Toronto International Film Festival, and its one of there best suspense thrillers out there. I for one never knew of the cube series, but after watching this one I will obtain the others. Six people find themselves locked in a cube with six exits, all but one hold traps, This cube is with in a maze of over 17,000 cues, we follow these 6 as they try to find there way out of the cube. Very enjoyable and keeps you on the edge of your seat. 4 1/2 stars.
Antony S

Excellent movie, far better than its sequels and imitators. Never wastes it's tiny budget and procures some ace performances from its no-name cast. I took a gamble on this claustrophobic sci-fi and boy did it pay off.
Jeff "

A brilliant Canadian Sci Fi Horror film, Cube is one original film, full of terror, thrills and suspense. The cast is of course comprised of unknowns, but really thats what makes this film even better. The film is a thrilling ride from start to finish and the tension build steadily to… More
A brilliant Canadian Sci Fi Horror film, Cube is one original film, full of terror, thrills and suspense. The cast is of course comprised of unknowns, but really thats what makes this film even better. The film is a thrilling ride from start to finish and the tension build steadily to the wicked climax. Great acting, and directing are apparent in this film, and what really makes Cube soar above all other Horror films of this era (1997 was the big boom in teen horror) is the absence of terrible horror cliches found in films of this era. It's a totally original film that returns to good old fashioned thrills and suspense to create High tension and horror. Brilliant. Unfortunately the sequels weren't as excellent or elaborate as this first entry, but at least they managed to create something brilliant with this film. This could almost be seen as an inspiration to Saw. Whats very interesting is that there is no logical answer to why they're in the Cube; the why is never given and the people who created the cube is never explained. The only thing that are hinted is just wild guesses (the government is behind the cube, etc) The way the survivors of the many traps within the Cube try to ultimately figure out how to escape the Cube. Cube is a simple yet effective story. Many people view this as a thinking man's horror film and as a film it leaves a lot of unanswered questions. Which may end up being frustrating to some. However this is one awesome and unique horror film. Cube is a solid, gripping horror film with plenty of creative elements to keep asking questions long after you've seen it.
Leigh R

Neat idea. Could have come off with some better acting, but it did have an intrigue factor to it for me.
Justin Y

Vincenzo Natali's Cube is a good example that budget isn't everything.The concept for Cube is extremely intriguing and the opening sequence does a fantastic job at grabbing the viewer's attention. The rest of the 90 minute… More
Vincenzo Natali's Cube is a good example that budget isn't everything.The concept for Cube is extremely intriguing and the opening sequence does a fantastic job at grabbing the viewer's attention. The rest of the 90 minute picture never lets go. Watching a handful of people moving from cubed room to cubed room in a bigger cube may not sound that special, but the variety of characters and suspense factor all make for an entertaining time. By the end, there are a lot of unanswered questions; however, this film still works despite all the secrecy.Because of the story, it is easy to see how this picture only needs one set to shoot on. There are no scenes that take place outside of this maze and it doesn't need them. The dialogue of the characters is enough to explain situations outside the cube. The CG effects aren't amazing, but they are used sparingly. Once again, this film excels without them.The acting is good and watching a few of the characters change as the film progresses is a plus. Nicole De Boer and David Hewlett gradually become the leads, while Maurice Dean Wint is the person to carry the film in the early going.Cube is a science fiction thriller worth checking out. Get a calculator, some boots, and enter the maze.
Wahida K

I had hard time to watch this Movie. There is no point in the plot.
Dan S

A gripping tale of survival concerning a few very unique characters. This is a fantastic sci-fi/suspense film. The viewer, and characters, are always feeling unsure of what will happen next, and I really liked the scary conversion of Quentin's character.This movie undoubtedly… More
A gripping tale of survival concerning a few very unique characters. This is a fantastic sci-fi/suspense film. The viewer, and characters, are always feeling unsure of what will happen next, and I really liked the scary conversion of Quentin's character.This movie undoubtedly inspired movies like the "Saw" series and those types of horror/suspense films. Here's the thing, it ends on a giant tease, not answering the countless number of questions the character, and viewers for that matter, have concerning this mysterious object. There are many theories out there as to what the whole movie means, this is definitely one of those movies that will do a good job blowing your mind. Arguably one of the better sci-fi movies of the 90's.
Anthony L

A very clever idea and a very original film.
E.J. B

Cube is the best sci-fi horror film since Alien. Yes, it's that good. It's a masterpiece of originality, low budget filmmaking, and tapping into the darkest realm of the human spirit. Like the best horror films, the external horror of the cube reflects how fucked up we… More
Cube is the best sci-fi horror film since Alien. Yes, it's that good. It's a masterpiece of originality, low budget filmmaking, and tapping into the darkest realm of the human spirit. Like the best horror films, the external horror of the cube reflects how fucked up we are as a species. Six strangers wake up in this strange cube filled with smaller cube rooms. Some of the rooms are lined with traps, meaning if you enter them, you will suffer a brutally disgusting death. (And I bet if this film were made today, the movie would only be about the deaths, exploiting each trap to make you, the audience, squirm. Alas, Cube is too smart a film for that.) The six need to work together to figure a way out. Of course, as a character says early in the film, they have to save themselves from themselves. Because in the end, the group's greatest threat isn't the cube, but one of their own. Movies this original are few and far between. It was an absolute pleasure to sit through Cube. I was completely absorbed by its ideas, by the characters, by the great performances, and ultimately, by the cube itself. Who would build such a thing? And for what purpose? One can only imagine how many things mankind has created that have the ability to ruin the world.
Ross C

A group of people are trapped in some kind of giant Rubik's cube. Rather limited scope but the analysis of the trapped group psychosis and the novel idea makes an enjoyable sci-fi flick.
_kelly .

Just finished re-watching the Cube series, and this is still my favorite entry. The drama is tight, and the production design is actually my favorite of the three Cube movies. This is a suspense movie that has broad appeal, whereas the sequels would only appeal to people fascinated… More
Just finished re-watching the Cube series, and this is still my favorite entry. The drama is tight, and the production design is actually my favorite of the three Cube movies. This is a suspense movie that has broad appeal, whereas the sequels would only appeal to people fascinated with the "Cube" idea. This is solidly shot with great acting, and establishes a consistent mood of the many emotions one would experience inside the Cube: hopelessness, claustrophobia, frustration, exhaustion, and the lunacy that results. "So Fucked Up" highlight: the conclusion
Tsubaki S

Interesting concept, good performances, feels it could have gone further. Neverless, good stuff.
Emily A

I forgot how much I love this movie until I saw it on TV today. It's like Saw before there was Saw, and the scares it created were incidental. It's like it freaks you out without even trying. The story is even more bleak and creepy; a bunch of people trapped in some sort of… More
I forgot how much I love this movie until I saw it on TV today. It's like Saw before there was Saw, and the scares it created were incidental. It's like it freaks you out without even trying. The story is even more bleak and creepy; a bunch of people trapped in some sort of death maze with apparently no one even watching from behind a camera. Like the cube itself is having some sort of existential crisis and the presence of victims therefore justify its existence. Very creepy, but tremendously well executed and acted. Well written too. I want to see this again.
Film C

weird but reli gd sort of a sci fi
Lafe F

This movie is very original; the only other works which spring to mind are the classic Twilight Zone episode with the people trapped inside a box, and the novel "House of Stairs" by William Sleator. But CUBE develops it into a more realistic setting. A group of people (named… More
This movie is very original; the only other works which spring to mind are the classic Twilight Zone episode with the people trapped inside a box, and the novel "House of Stairs" by William Sleator. But CUBE develops it into a more realistic setting. A group of people (named after famous prisons) are trying to escape a maze of cube-shaped rooms, some with lethal and gruesome traps. Each person has special talents which could assist a solution; will they be able to work together long enough to get out alive? Very enjoyable film. The filmmakers give a good idea of the layout of the rooms and the hopelessness of the situation. It's a good study of human psychology as well. This is a very watchable movie with good gore effects. Highly rated.
Luke B

Flipping marvelous. A simple but original idea with some nice effects despite its constrictive budget. Doesn't give any answers and allows the audience to make decisions. A great set of characters that all go through changes and give us some role reversal.
Pierluigi P

Like an episode of the Twilight Zone. indie, claustrophobic, oppressive, mystic and thought provoking thriller with great twists.