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Dave Made a Maze (2017) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Dave Made a Maze (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 80 min · English
Echo score 70
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Directed by
Bill Watterson
Starring
James Urbaniak, Meera Rohit Kumbhani, Nick Thune, Stephanie Allynne, Rick Overton, Adam Busch

Artist Dave's creative frustrations manifest as a sprawling, cardboard maze, trapping him within his own creation. Determined to escape, his girlfriend Annie and a group of explorers venture into the labyrinth, encountering unexpected booby traps, bizarre creatures, and unsettling challenges that test their courage and sanity. The increasingly surreal adventure explores themes of creativity, isolation, and the perils of unchecked imagination.

Adventure Horror Comedy Cast, crew & box office
On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (7)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Dave Made a Maze
  8. 8 Every angle
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7 main characters · contains spoilers

Dave Made a Maze Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Dave Made a Maze (2017), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Annie

    Annie is characterized by her curiosity and pragmatism, which propels her to seek the truth behind Dave's maze. Throughout their adventure, her resourcefulness and determination shine through, particularly as she navigates the dangers and motivations of her friends.

    • 👩‍🎨 Artist
    • 📝 Determined

  • Dave

    played by James Urbaniak

    Dave embodies the archetype of the struggling artist, showcasing both brilliance and insecurity. His zeal for creating the maze represents his deepest desires but also his fears of inadequacy and failure, which are compounded when the maze takes on a life of its own.

    • 👨‍🎨 Creative
    • 😟 Anxious

  • Gordon

    played by Frank Caeti

    Gordon serves as both a friend and a voice of reason within the group. He balances enthusiasm for the adventure with a realistic approach, often strategizing ways to deal with the chaos introduced by the maze and its challenges.

    • 🧠 Strategist
    • 👨‍👧‍👦 Loyal

  • Harry

    played by John Hennigan

    Harry is an adventurous filmmaker eager to document the unfolding events, yet his obsession with capturing the moment often blinds him to the dangers surrounding the group. His character explores the intersection of art and experience in a chaotic environment.

    • 🎥 Filmmaker
    • 🌪️ Distracted

  • Leonard

    played by Scott Krinsky

    Leonard initially displays excitement at the idea of the maze but soon becomes disillusioned when faced with the reality of its dangers. His journey serves as a cautionary tale of overestimating one's abilities in a wild and unpredictable space.

    • 😬 Hesitant
    • 🚪 Curious

  • Brynn

    played by Kirsten Vangsness

    Brynn embodies a sense of humor and lightness in dire circumstances but faces grave danger as her character encounters the Minotaur. Her unexpected demise highlights the film's darker tones amidst its whimsical nature.

    • 😂 Humorous
    • 🎭 Unfortunate

  • Jane

    played by Meera Rohit Kumbhani

    Jane's story arc takes a tragic turn as she confronts a deadly reality within the maze. Her demise serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks in their adventurous pursuit, shifting the narrative from whimsical to horrifying.

    • 😱 Tragic
    • 🚨 Danger

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:32

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Setting

Where and When Does Dave Made a Maze Take Place?

The setting of Dave Made a Maze (2017): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The movie unfolds in a contemporary setting, reflecting modern creative pursuits and personal relationships. This timeframe allows for the exploration of themes like artistic expression and the consequences of ambition within the context of friendship.

Location

Dave's Apartment, The Cardboard Maze

The primary setting for the movie is Dave's apartment, where he creates an elaborate cardboard maze. This maze, while originating from a mundane space, becomes a fantastical realm teeming with surreal wonders and dangers, known for its living, breathing properties and intricate designs that confound and amaze its visitors.

  • 🏠 Home
  • 🌌 Fantasy

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:32

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3 major themes

Dave Made a Maze Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Dave Made a Maze (2017) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Creativity

    The film explores the theme of creativity through Dave's relentless drive to construct his cardboard maze, representing both his artistic aspirations and his struggles with self-doubt. As his friends navigate the maze, they discover the depths of inspiration and the chaos that can stem from an unfettered creative process.

  • Survival

    Survival becomes a pressing theme as the characters confront the dangers embedded in the maze. They must harness their wits and teamwork to escape the Minotaur and the deadly traps, highlighting the lengths to which friends will go to save one another in extreme circumstances.

  • Reality vs. Illusion

    The film plays with the boundary between reality and illusion as Dave's cardboard creation transforms into a living entity. As the characters delve deeper, they confront their perceptions of art and reality, illustrating how creativity can warp and expand the truth.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:32

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Character & theme questions

Dave Made a Maze Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Dave Made a Maze (2017): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is the movie set?

The movie is primarily set in Dave's apartment, where he builds an elaborate cardboard maze. This mundane urban space transforms into a fantastical, living labyrinth that becomes the main setting for the entire film.

  • setting
  • dave's apartment
  • cardboard maze
  • location
Q2

What is the cardboard maze in the movie?

The cardboard maze is Dave's artistic creation, a sprawling, intricate labyrinth made from cardboard boxes and materials. Once completed, it becomes a living, breathing entity with surreal properties, bizarre creatures, and deadly traps that trap its creator inside.

  • cardboard maze
  • labyrinth
  • surreal
  • maze
  • dave's creation
Q3

When does the story take place?

The movie unfolds in a contemporary, modern setting. This present-day timeframe allows the film to explore themes of artistic expression and creative ambition within the context of current-day relationships and technology.

  • time period
  • contemporary
  • modern setting
  • era
Q4

What are the main themes in Dave Made a Maze?

The film explores three primary themes: creativity (representing artistic ambition and self-doubt), survival (friends working together to escape deadly dangers), and reality vs. illusion (the boundary between art and reality blurring as the maze comes alive).

  • themes
  • creativity
  • survival
  • reality
  • illusion
  • art
Q5

Who is Dave in the movie?

Dave is a struggling artist whose frustration manifests as the cardboard maze. He embodies both brilliance and insecurity, representing the archetype of a creative person battling self-doubt while pursuing his artistic vision.

  • dave
  • artist
  • protagonist
  • creative struggle
Q6

Who is Annie in Dave Made a Maze?

Annie is Dave's girlfriend who is characterized by her curiosity and pragmatism. She leads the group into the maze to rescue Dave, showcasing resourcefulness and determination throughout their adventure.

  • annie
  • girlfriend
  • protagonist
  • resourceful
Q7

What is the Minotaur in the movie?

The Minotaur is a central threat within the maze, a monstrous creature that hunts and endangers the explorers. It represents the dangerous, untamed aspect of Dave's creative imagination come to life.

  • minotaur
  • monster
  • creature
  • threat
  • danger
Q8

What genre is Dave Made a Maze?

Dave Made a Maze is an adventure horror comedy film. It blends whimsical, surreal humor with genuine danger and horror elements, creating a unique tone that mixes playful creativity with life-threatening stakes.

  • genre
  • adventure
  • horror
  • comedy
  • film style
Q9

What does the cardboard maze symbolize?

The maze symbolizes the creative process, representing both the inspiring potential and the perilous chaos of unchecked imagination. It externalizes Dave's inner artistic struggles, turning his creative vision into a tangible, dangerous world.

  • symbolism
  • maze
  • creativity
  • imagination
  • artistic expression
Q10

Is Dave Made a Maze based on a true story?

No, Dave Made a Maze is an original fictional film. It was directed by Bill Watson and draws from creative storytelling rather than any real-life events or existing source material.

  • based on true story
  • original
  • fiction
  • film origin
Q11

Do characters die in Dave Made a Maze?

Yes, the film features character deaths, including Brynn and Jane, who meet tragic fates within the maze. These deaths add darker undertones to the film's otherwise whimsical and playful aesthetic, highlighting the real dangers within Dave's creation.

  • character deaths
  • brynn
  • jane
  • danger
  • maze hazards
Q12

How does the survival theme play out in the movie?

The survival theme emerges as the group must use teamwork and wit to escape deadly traps and the Minotaur. It highlights the lengths friends will go to rescue one another, even when facing seemingly insurmountable dangers in a chaotic, unpredictable space.

  • survival
  • teamwork
  • escape
  • traps
  • minotaur
  • friendship

Movie threads

More Movies Like Dave Made a Maze, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Dave Made a Maze tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies with a Playful Surreal Vibe like Dave Made a Maze

Inventive stories where reality bends playfully around eccentric characters. If you enjoyed the handmade cardboard labyrinth and quirky creatures of Dave Made a Maze, you'll love these movies. This list features films with a similar whimsical and surreal tone, where imaginative worlds, playful narratives, and a fast-paced, inventive adventure create a unique viewing experience.

  • surreal
  • quirky
  • playful
  • adventurous
  • dreamlike
  • inventive
  • Tone: whimsical, playful
  • Pacing: fast, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Characters in these stories are often thrust into or actively create an unconventional reality. The plot revolves around navigating this bizarre world, encountering strange obstacles and inhabitants, leading to an adventure that is more about creative problem-solving and discovery than traditional conflict.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared commitment to a playful, surreal aesthetic. They prioritize imaginative visuals and quirky humor over gritty realism, creating a specific vibe that is adventurous, offbeat, and consistently entertaining without being overly intense.

Delirious movie poster

Delirious

1991
7 Dwarves: The Forest Is Not Enough movie poster

7 Dwarves: The Forest Is Not Enough

2006
Alice in Wonderland movie poster

Alice in Wonderland

2010
Hundreds of Beavers movie poster

Hundreds of Beavers

2024
Bedazzled movie poster

Bedazzled

2000
Under the Rainbow movie poster

Under the Rainbow

2023
Disenchanted movie poster

Disenchanted

2022
Hoodwinked Too! Hood VS. Evil movie poster

Hoodwinked Too! Hood VS. Evil

2011

Movies About Creative Frustration Like Dave Made a Maze

Stories where the struggle to create manifests in unexpected, tangible ways. For viewers who liked how Dave Made a Maze turned artistic block into a physical adventure, this list finds similar stories. These movies explore the theme of creative frustration, often using surreal or comedic elements to visualize the internal battles of artists, writers, and makers.

  • anxious
  • bewildering
  • meta
  • absurd
  • introspective
  • creative
  • Tone: anxious, whimsical, absurd
  • Pacing: steady, reflective
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a creator who is stuck or frustrated. Their mental state physically manifests, creating a world or situation they must navigate. The journey through this manifestation becomes a metaphor for working through their creative block, fears, or ambitions, leading to a resolution that is often ambiguous or introspective.

Why they belong together: They are linked by a core theme: making the intangible process of creation tangible. They share a meta-narrative quality, a moderate level of complexity in blending reality with fantasy, and a tone that balances the anxiety of creation with inventive, sometimes humorous, consequences.

The Muse movie poster

The Muse

1999
Unmade Beds movie poster

Unmade Beds

1976
Dave Made a Maze movie poster

Dave Made a Maze

2017
Nothing Lasts Forever movie poster

Nothing Lasts Forever

2022
Shoplifting From American Apparel movie poster

Shoplifting From American Apparel

2012
Alien Autopsy movie poster

Alien Autopsy

2006
The Magic Portal movie poster

The Magic Portal

1989
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen movie poster

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen

1989

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Every angle

Dave Made a Maze (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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