Cube is a Canadian science-fiction horror film series. The films were directed by Vincenzo Natali, Andrzej Sekuła, Ernie Barbarash and Yasuhiko Shimizu, respectively.
The films are centered, with slight variations, on the same science-fictional setting: a gigantic, mechanized cubical structure of unknown purpose and origin, made up of numerous smaller cubical rooms, in which most or all of the principal characters inexplicably awaken in the opening scenes. Each of these rooms has six heavy vault doors, one on each face of the cube, which lead into adjacent, largely identical rooms, differing occasionally by colour of lighting. Some of these rooms are "safe", while others are equipped with deadly booby traps such as flamethrowers and razorwire. In some cases it is possible to detect a trap by throwing an object into the room first, although this method is not always reliable due to the trigger mechanism of certain traps.
In each case, a group of strangers awakens in this mysterious structure, without any knowledge of how or why they are there. In order to escape from the prison, they must band together and use their combined skills and talents to avoid the traps and navigate out of the maze, while also trying to solve the mystery of what the cube is and why they are in it.
Films Cube (1997)
Cube, the first film in the series, follows a group of seven frightened strangers who find themselves trapped in a mechanized maze of cubical rooms, with no memory of how they arrived there. Searching for a way out, they soon discover that many rooms contain lethal booby traps, while others are safe. Initially the prisoners band together in an attempt to escape, but one of the prisoners becomes increasingly unstable and threatens the group's escape. Despite production on a modest budget, the film grossed approximately $9 million worldwide and later developed a cult following, with critics praising its minimalist setting and tension.
Cube 2: Hypercube (2002)
Cube 2: Hypercube is a sequel to the film Cube. The dusky, dingy rooms of the first film are replaced with high-tech, brightly lit rooms, and the conventional technology of the original traps are replaced with threats based on abstract mathematics. A new group of prisoners quickly discovers that, unlike the original Cube, the rooms in their prison appear to shift instantaneously. They realize they are inside a hypercube in which gravity, space, and time are distorted. This time the prisoners each have a connection to the cube's suggested creator. Critical reception was mixed, with criticism for its CGI quality and writing, but praise for its acting and predecessor's characteristic suspense.
Cube Zero (2004)
Cube Zero is a prequel to the film Cube. Unlike the first two films, which were limited to the prisoners' point of view, the film concerns two characters, Eric Wynn and Dodd, who are technicians observing the prisoners. Wynn finds himself caring about the fate of Cassandra Rains, a woman in the Cube, and decides to risk his job and even his life to help her try to escape. The rooms are similar to the original film, except that the colors are not as bright as in the first film. Reviews for Cube Zero have been mostly positive.
Cube (2021)
A Japanese remake, also called Cube, was released in October 2021.
Future In 2011, Lionsgate was reported to be taking pitches for a new film titled Cube 3D, though nothing came of the effort.
In April 2015, The Hollywood Reporter wrote that Lionsgate Films was planning to remake the film, under the title Cubed, with Saman Kesh directing, Roy Lee and Jon Spaihts producing and a screenplay by Philip Gawthorne, based on Kesh's original take. Development on the film stalled the following year, leaving its future uncertain.
Cast and crew Principal cast Character Original series Prequel Remake Cube Cube 2: Hypercube Cube Zero Cube Kazan Andrew Miller Hikaru Tashiro Quentin McNeil Maurice Dean Wint Takumi Saito Joan Leaven Nicole de Boer Anne Watanabe David Worth David Hewlett Masaki Suda Dr. Helen Holloway Nicky Guadagni Masaki Okada Rennes Wayne Robson Kōtarō Yoshida Alderson Julian Richings Tokio Emoto Kate Filmore Kari Matchett Simon Grady Geraint Wyn Davies Sasha / Alex Trusk Grace Lynn Kung Jerry Whitehall Neil Crone Max Riesler Matthew Ferguson Colonel Thomas H. Maguire Bruce Gray Mrs. Paley Barbara Gordon The General Philip Akin Julia Sewell Lindsey Connell Becky Young Greer Kent Dr. Phil Rosenzweig Andrew Scorer Tracton Paul Robbins Eric Wynn Zachary Bennett Dodd David Huband Cassandra Rains Stephanie Moore Jax Michael Riley Meyerhold Mike "Nug" Nahrgang Jellico Terri Hawkes Ryjkin Jasmin Geljo Quigley Diego Klattenhoff Robert P. Haskell Martin Roach Bartok Richard McMillan Owen Tony Munch Finn Joshua Peace Anna Alexia Filippeos Male Doctor Fernando Cursione Female Doctor Araxi Arslanian Hiroto Goto Soma Santoki
Prisoners details in each film Cube (1997) Name Occupation Gender Prison connection Played by Kazan Unknown Male Kazan prison in Russia Andrew Miller David Worth Architect Male Leavenworth Prison in the U.S. David Hewlett Quentin McNeil Police officer Male San Quentin State Prison in the U.S. Maurice Dean Wint Joan Leaven Mathematics student Female Leavenworth Prison in the U.S. Nicole de Boer Dr. Helen Holloway Free clinic doctor Female Holloway Women's Prison in the UK Nicky Guadagni Rennes Prison escapist Male Centre pénitentiaire de Rennes in France Wayne Robson Alderson Unknown Male Alderson Federal Prison Camp in the U.S. Julian Richings
Cube 2: Hypercube Name Occupation Gender Played by Kate Filmore Psychotherapist / Soldier Female Kari Matchett Simon Grady Private detective Male Geraint Wyn Davies Alexandra "Sasha" Trusk Computer hacker Female Grace Lynn Kung Rebecca "Becky" Young IZON technician Female Greer Kent Julia Sewell Attorney Female Lindsey Connell Max Reisler Computer game designer Male Matthew Ferguson Mrs. Paley Retired theoretical mathematician Female Barbara Gordon Jerry Whitehall Engineer Male Neil Crone Colonel Thomas H. Maguire Colonel Male Bruce Gray Dr. Phil Rosenzweig Scientist / Author / Nobel Prize nominee Male Andrew Scorer
Cube Zero Name Occupation Gender Played by Eric Wynn Junior cube technician Male Zachary Bennett Dodd Senior cube technician Male David Huband Owen Senior cube technician Male Tony Munch Chickliss Junior cube technician Male N/A Cassandra Rains Political protester Female Stephanie Moore Jax Senior cube supervisor Male Michael Riley Robert P. Haskell Cube soldier Male Martin Roach Meyerhold Unknown Male Mike "Nug" Nahrgang Jellico Unknown Female Terri Hawkes Bartok Unknown Male Richard McMillan Ryjkin Unknown Male Jasmin Geljo Chandler Unknown, possibly doctor Female Sandi Ross Smith Unknown Male Dino Bellisario McCaw Unknown Female Ashley James
Cube (2021) Name Occupation Gender Age Played by Yuichi Goto Engineer Male 29 Masaki Suda Asako Kai Staff employee Female 37 Anne Watanabe Shinji Ochi Freeter Male 31 Masaki Okada Chio Uno Middle school student Male 13 Hikaru Tashiro First Man Prisoner Male Unknown Tokio Emoto Hiroshi Ide Mechanic Male 41 Takumi Saito Kazumasa Ando Company executive Male 61 Kōtarō Yoshida
See also Cinema of Canada The Cube
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