10 Maze Runner Characters Who Deserved Better Than Their Tragic Fates

Newt: Deserved the Cure and Survival

Newt is the definition of resilience in The Maze Runner. If the Gladers ever held it together, it was because Newt was there to guide them. He was their guardian, always putting himself on the line for Thomas and the group. But his reward was a cruel twist of fate. While others were immune, Newt slowly succumbed to the Flare, losing himself piece by piece. In the end, he was reduced to begging Thomas for mercy—a fate he never deserved.

Teresa: Deserved a Path to Forgiveness

Teresa’s betrayal shapes the entire story, but her actions were never driven by ego or malice. She truly believed in WCKD’s mission and carried immense guilt over her choices. She spent years trying to save humanity in the only way she thought possible. Teresa deserved a chance at reconciliation and redemption, not to die moments after finally returning to the light.

Chuck: Deserved to See the Outside World

Call him annoying or adorable, but Chuck was undeniably the heart of the Gladers. His presence brought hope, innocence, and energy into the Maze. After surviving its horrors, he deserved to reunite with his family and see the world he fought so hard to reach. Instead, he was killed shielding Thomas from Gally’s attack. It was an unfair end for the purest soul in the group.

Gally: Deserved Therapy and Clarity

Gally is often portrayed as a bully and an obstacle, but his behavior stems from fear, stress, and psychological manipulation. The Maze warped him in ways he never asked for. Beneath the anger was a confused, traumatized teen who needed help, not condemnation. With therapy and support, he could have fully integrated into the Right Arm and rebuilt himself.

Alby: Deserved to Lead the Survivors

As the Glade’s first and longest-running leader, Alby was the group’s moral anchor. His sacrifice to protect the Gladers from the Grievers was noble, but heartbreaking. He deserved to survive the Maze, adapt to the outside world, and lead the surviving Gladers to a new future. His death remains one of the group’s most devastating losses.

Winston: Deserved a Clean End

Winston was a dedicated member of the Glade who survived both the Maze and the initial attack by the Cranks in the Scorch. After enduring so much, dying slowly and painfully from the Flare was a cruel injustice. He deserved a quick, honorable end in battle, or better yet, the chance to reach a cure.

Dr. Ava Paige: Deserved to Be Believed

Dr. Paige, the head of WCKD, was misguided but genuinely believed her extreme actions were necessary to save humanity. She was assassinated by Janson just as she was attempting to implement a final solution that might have worked. She deserved the chance to defend her motives, or at least be heard by the world she was trying to save.

Frypan: Deserved a Defined Hero Arc

As the Glade’s loyal cook, Frypan was a source of emotional stability and quiet strength. Although he survived all three films, he was consistently sidelined and given little to do beyond driving and offering support. He deserved a stronger arc that highlighted his resilience, loyalty, and importance to the group.

Sonya and Harriet: Deserved Leadership Recognition

Sonya and Harriet, the leaders of Group B, showed courage, intelligence, and grit equal to Thomas and the Gladers. But once the groups merged, their authority was overshadowed by the narrative’s focus on the male leads. They deserved equal recognition, more screen time, and a real role shaping the Right Arm’s strategy.

Brenda: Deserved an Independent Role

Brenda entered the story as a fierce, resourceful survivor of the Scorch with strong leadership instincts. However, her character was gradually reduced to a romantic option for Thomas. She deserved to retain her independence and remain a powerful force within the Right Arm, with romance taking a backseat to her own growth and contributions.