Directed by Edgar Wright
Where & When: TCL Chinese Theatres, Hollywood, CA. November 17, 2025 4:15 PM
When "The Running Man", based on a story written by Steven King under the pseudonym "Richard Bachman", was first brought to the screen in 1987, it was a dystopian thriller that starred Arnold Schwarzenegger as a convicted criminal who must try to outrun gladiator-styled assassins on a depraved game show. But this movie (directed by actor, Paul Michael Glaser, best known for playing Detective Starsky in the 1970s television cop series, "Starsky & Hutch") was far removed from the novel which featured a dark, societal commentary theme, instead offering a more campy humor, action-adventure to further accommodate the popular star's screen persona. "The Running Man" was met with an indifferent reception from audiences and critics with King less than thrilled with this adaptation.
As a teenager, Edgar Wright had read the book and after seeing the movie, he was aware of how much was changed in style and tone. Now as a filmmaker, Wright has gotten the opportunity to put his own stamp on "The Running Man" and even has King's blessing who is a producer of this remake. With this updated version, he has approached the story to align closer to the source material while still putting his own distinctive spin to the movie. Far more adventurous and inventive than the original film, this visually pumped-up, "Running Man" still doesn't do enough to offer a compelling reason to take on this story again and the newly imagined conclusion is muddled and relentlessly excessive.
In a future America under totalitarian rule, Ben Richards (Glen Powell) and his wife, Sheila (Jayme Lawson) are living in Co-Op City, struggling to survive. Their baby daughter has become ill and since he has recently been fired from his job and effectively blacklisted, they cannot afford medicine for her. With very few options available, Ben decides to audition for a part on one of the violent game shows, despite his wife's objections. Run by the Government Network, the most popular program is "The Running Man", where a contestant can win one billion dollars if they survive for thirty days while being tracked down by the show's hunters who are to make sure they don't succeed. Even members of the viewing audience can participate in taking down a contestant and winning a cash prize for their efforts.
Ben, along with Tim (Martin Herlihy) and Jenni (Katy O'Brian), are selected to race for the prize while trying to stay alive for a month. Using his street smarts, plenty of disguises and the helpfulness of strangers, Ben covertly travels across New England, laying low and avoiding the trackers as best as he can. But it shouldn't be a real surprise that the show's producer, Dan Killian (Josh Brolin) is not exactly playing fair, taking steps to make sure he's in full control of the outcome of this game.
Reality television had not yet entered into our culture at the time of the first film, now an unavoidable genre that has not reached the point of gladiator-styled entertainment (for the moment). King's story was set in 2025 (which was written in 1982) so the future world Wright has created doesn't have to stray too far from our current times. But the director has not added anything particularly innovative to the film, relying on the tried and true elements of a Hollywood action-adventure flick. I don't think this was entirely up to Wright, as he mangaed to get a few oddball, comic situations in there but not enough to help this film stand out from the standard studio action fare.
Ben Richards is described by the people who encounter him as a very angry man, meaning, I guess, that he's dangerous and hostile. Managing to deliver the occasional scowl and raised voice, Powell just isn't able to convincingly maintain this hothead demeanor. The actor's good ole boy charm shines through, with him coming across more frustrated than angered. Powell does what he can but the tough guy persona really doesn't fit him well. There are fine turns by the supporting cast that include Coleman Domingo as the show's flashy host, Bobby T, Michael Cera as an isolated survivalist, Emilia Jones who becomes Ben's hostage and Lee Pace as the leader of the hunters.
Wright does manage to create some fun, thrilling moments that are expected involving heart-pounding chases, bone-crushing battles and massive explosions. But the outcome is much like his last film, "Last Night in Soho", a psychological thriller that begins promising with style and great momentum yet ultimately collapses under the weight of a convoluted ending. Unfortunately, this modern take on "The Running Man" is unable to get up to proper speed, only going so far before wheezing and running out of breath.
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