TLDR;
"The Darkest Minds" follows Ruby, a young girl with dangerous mind-control abilities (an Orange), in a world where children with powers are feared and contained. After escaping a government camp, she joins a group of other powered teens searching for a safe haven, facing threats from both the government and those who would exploit their abilities. Ultimately, Ruby sacrifices her personal happiness to protect her friends, embracing her powers to fight for a better future for her kind.
- Children develop superpowers and are classified by color, with Oranges being the most feared.
- Ruby, an Orange, hides her true abilities and escapes a government camp.
- She joins a group of powered teens seeking a safe haven, facing various dangers.
- Ruby develops a close bond with Liam but sacrifices their potential relationship to protect him.
- The film ends with Ruby embracing her powers and preparing to fight for her kind, while the antagonist Clancy Gray survives.
Introduction [0:00]
The movie is introduced as an action, adventure, drama, and sci-fi film called "The Darkest Minds." The narrator warns of spoilers ahead.
The Emergence of Powers and Government Response [0:11]
A disease called Idiopathic Adolescent Acute Neurodegeneration (I.A.A.N.) kills most children, while survivors develop bizarre powers. These children are classified by color: Greens have enhanced intelligence, Blues are telekinetic, Golds manipulate electricity, Reds control fire, and Oranges have mind control. The government, led by President Gray, asks parents to turn in their children, including his own son, Clancy Gray.
Ruby's Orange Power Manifestation and Deception [0:43]
On her birthday, Ruby receives a keychain from her parents. That night, her powers manifest, causing her eyes to flash orange, and she inadvertently erases her parents' memories of her. The next morning, her mother doesn't recognize her and locks her in the garage. Government troops take her to a camp where she's identified as an Orange, a dangerous category slated for termination. Ruby uses her powers to convince Dr. Viceroy that she's a Green, altering her assessment results.
Life in Camp and Escape [1:59]
Six years later, Ruby is working in the camp when Captain McManus harasses her, suspecting she's not a Green. High-frequency sounds trigger her powers, and she's discovered to be an Orange. Dr. Cate, a social worker, helps Ruby escape by providing her with a key and instructions to go to the boiler room. They escape in Cate's car, with Ruby using her powers on the Captain to facilitate their getaway.
Joining the Children's League [3:20]
Cate reveals she's taking Ruby to the Children's League, a resistance group that rescues children from the camps. She gives Ruby a tracking device pendant. At a gasoline station, they meet Rob, another League member. Ruby has a vision of Rob mistreating a teenager. She encounters Zu, a Gold, and ends up joining Liam and Charles in their van to escape the League, fearing they want to harm her.
On the Run with Liam and Charles [4:27]
Ruby reveals herself to Liam and Charles, who are initially wary of her. They are pursued by Lady Jane, a Tracer (bounty hunter). Liam uses his telekinetic powers to evade her. They explain that Charles is a Green and a genius. Liam invites Ruby to join them at the East River, a haven built by the Slip Kid, an elusive Orange. Ruby agrees, hoping for a new home.
Distrust and Revelation [5:35]
Ruby questions the League's motives, while Liam claims they exploit children for their abilities. Back at the camp, the Captain punishes Dr. Viceroy for failing to identify Ruby as an Orange and puts a bounty on her.
Hotel Stay and Tracer Encounter [6:10]
At a hotel, Ruby remembers her last night with her parents. She accidentally touches Zu and sees a vision of Liam rescuing Zu from the camp. The next morning, Ruby and Liam flirt until they encounter two Tracers, whom Ruby manipulates with her powers to leave them alone.
Abandoned Mall and the Clue to Slip Kid's Location [6:46]
The group stops at an abandoned mall for supplies but are attacked by a group who mistake them for Tracers. The leader apologizes and offers them shelter for the night. Ruby uses her powers to make the leader reveal "E.D.O." as a clue to the Slip Kid's whereabouts. Charles decodes E.D.O. as a radio frequency, revealing the location as Lake Prince, Virginia.
Ruby's Home and Emotional Turmoil [7:54]
Liam takes Ruby home, but she hesitates, knowing her parents won't recognize her. She decides she has lost her family and leaves, but Liam convinces her to keep the keychain and reminds her that she's not alone. They almost kiss, but Ruby pulls away.
Ambush and Revelation of Ruby's Powers [8:25]
Lady Jane ambushes them, capturing Liam. Ruby uses her powers to make Lady Jane walk away. Ruby collapses, and Liam and Charles argue about leaving her behind. They reveal they knew she was an Orange all along. Ruby explains that skin contact allows her to enter people's minds, which is why she avoided kissing Liam.
Arrival at Lake Prince and Meeting Clancy Gray [9:17]
The group arrives at Lake Prince, a haven led by the Slip Kid, who is revealed to be Clancy Gray, the President's son. Clancy knows their identities and claims that he and Ruby are the only two remaining Oranges.
Life at Lake Prince and Growing Closeness with Clancy [9:50]
The camp throws a party. Clancy shows Ruby the torture he endured as scientists probed him for a cure. He empathizes with her inability to touch others and offers to help her control her abilities. Ruby and Clancy grow closer as they explore her powers.
Exploring Ruby's Past and Liam's Jealousy [10:28]
Clancy asks Ruby to show him why she fears her ability. She shows him the memory of erasing her parents' memories. Clancy is in awe and wants to help her reverse it. Liam becomes jealous of their closeness.
Doubts and Discoveries [10:52]
Liam confronts Ruby, but she pushes him away, claiming she's protecting him. Charles expresses his doubts about Lake Prince, feeling it's like the camps. Clancy is revealed to be in contact with Captain McManus.
Memory Exploration and Betrayal [11:23]
Ruby agrees to teach Clancy how to erase memories in exchange for Charles using the computer. Clancy guides her through her memory, infiltrates it, and tries to kiss her. Liam sees Ruby in tears, touches her, and experiences Clancy's actions through her memory.
Escape from Lake Prince [12:00]
Ruby and Liam decide to leave Lake Prince with Zu and Charles. They are ambushed by the Captain and his soldiers. Clancy subdues Liam and reveals his plan to control the world with Ruby. Ruby uses her powers to make the Captain shoot himself, and they escape with Zu's help.
Confrontation and Sacrifice [12:38]
Choppers descend, and Reds attack the camp. Liam uses his powers to protect the children. Clancy mind-controls the survivors. Ruby faces Clancy, urging Liam to save the others. Ruby controls the soldiers to shoot at Clancy, but he turns them against each other.
Final Showdown and Rescue [13:07]
Clancy promises to make Ruby perfect, but she refuses and crashes a chopper on him. Charles saves her but gets burned. Ruby calls the League for rescue. Liam refuses to leave her, claiming they're family.
The League's Arrival and Ruby's Decision [13:31]
The League arrives with Cate. Ruby learns about Charles' condition. She accuses the League of being no different from Clancy and the government. Ruby offers herself to Cate in exchange for Liam's release and asks to speak with him to convince him to leave.
Sacrifice and Farewell [14:09]
Ruby hugs Liam and erases his memory of her. Liam no longer recognizes her and is released by the League. Ruby watches him leave, her keychain dangling on his backpack.
Epilogue [14:35]
Ruby prepares to fight for her family. Zu is adopted, Charles recovers, and Liam is free. Clancy is revealed to be alive and in control of an army. Ruby paints her forehead in orange, embracing her powers.
