The Darkest Minds

The Darkest Minds

Year: 2018

Runtime: 104 min

Language: English

Director: Jennifer Yuh

Sci-FiThriller

Following a mysterious disease that wipes out most of the world’s children, teenage survivors develop extraordinary abilities. Deemed dangerous by the adults, these young people are imprisoned in government-run camps. Sixteen-year-old Ruby, a powerful and determined young woman, escapes and joins a group of other runaways seeking safety. As they navigate a world that fears them, they uncover a disturbing betrayal and must fight to determine their own future.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Darkest Minds yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – The Darkest Minds (2018)

Trace every key event in The Darkest Minds (2018) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

The Plague Strikes

A devastating plague known as Idiopathic Adolescent Acute Neurodegeneration sweeps across America, affecting around 90% of the youth population. The remaining children develop extraordinary abilities, categorized by color, leading to societal chaos and fear.

United States
2

The Rise of Abilities

The children exhibit unique powers: Green for intelligence, Blue for telekinesis, Yellow for electrical manipulation, Red for fire, and Orange for telepathy. These classifications instigate a brutal crackdown, with Red and Orange children facing extermination while the others are clustered into camps.

3

Ruby's Capture

Ruby Daly, an Orange child, is imprisoned in a camp for six years. She cleverly convinces the attending doctor that she is a Green, cleverly ensuring her survival amidst the threats looming over her fellow Orange children.

Camp
4

Escape of the League

Ruby's life changes dramatically when she is aided by the Children's League, an underground resistance group. Cate, a compassionate camp worker, helps her escape by giving her a panic button for emergencies.

Camp
5

New Alliances Formed

Following her escape, Ruby forms a significant bond with a fellow League member named Rob. However, their telepathic connection grows strained as Ruby wrestles with her Orange abilities, causing her to pull away from the group.

6

Joining Forces

Ruby teams up with her supportive friend Zu, a mute Yellow child, and also connects with Liam and Chubs. Together, they embark on a quest to find East River, a rumored safe haven for children like them.

7

The Search for East River

The quest leads the group to a desolate mall where they meet individuals who hold fragmented clues about East River. With Ruby's Orange abilities at play and Chubs' intellect, they decipher the message that includes radio coordinates to Lake Prince, Virginia.

Deserted Mall
8

Return to Salem

As they near their destination, the group surprises Ruby with a visit to her childhood home in Salem, Virginia. Struggling with the memories, Ruby is overwhelmed when she realizes she has erased her parents' memories of her.

Salem, Virginia
9

Ambushed

The group faces a cunning ambush led by Lady Jane, resulting in the capture of Chubs and Zu. Ruby and Liam must make a swift escape, during which Ruby unleashes her powerful abilities to fend off their captors.

10

Arrival at East River

After abandoning their vehicle, Ruby and Liam finally reach East River, only to discover that the sanctuary is home to deeper secrets. The group feels hopeful, yet a sense of foreboding looms over Ruby’s awakening powers.

East River
11

The Slip Kid Revelation

At East River, Ruby learns that Slip Kid is actually Clancy Gray, the president's son. As he begins to mentor her, Clancy reveals his ulterior motive of using Ruby to assist him in erasing memories for his nefarious agenda.

East River
12

Clancy's Manipulation

Tensions rise as Clancy's true intentions come to light; he has been secretly influencing government actions to bolster his power. Ruby, feeling betrayed, realizes she must summon courage to break free from his control.

13

Catastrophic Escapes

In a heart-stopping climax, Ruby escapes Clancy's grasp, leading to devastating consequences at East River. Her emergence dramatically shifts the balance of power, challenging Clancy’s growing influence.

East River
14

Ties with the League

In the fallout, Ruby decides to join the League, sacrificing her memories with Liam to ensure his safety. Undergoing rigorous training, she prepares for the challenges ahead while grappling with her past.

League Headquarters
15

Clancy's Rise

While Ruby embarks on her new journey with the League, Clancy solidifies his grip on military and governmental powers. His ominous presence hints at future conflicts, setting the stage for Ruby’s continued fight for freedom.

Last Updated: November 21, 2024 at 11:06

Unlock the Full Story of The Darkest Minds

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Darkest Minds in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Darkest Minds is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Darkest Minds Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Darkest Minds, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Darkest Minds Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Darkest Minds

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Darkest Minds. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Darkest Minds

More About The Darkest Minds

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Darkest Minds: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Darkest Minds

Similar Movies to The Darkest Minds

Discover movies like The Darkest Minds that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.