In the near future, "The Running Man" is the top-rated show on television, a deadly competition where contestants must survive 30 days while being hunted by professional assassins. Desperate for money to save his sick daughter, Ben Richards is convinced by the show's ruthless producer to enter the game as a last resort. Ratings soon skyrocket as Ben's defiance, instincts and grit turn him into an unexpected fan favorite, as well as a threat to the entire system.
Director: Edgar Wright
Cast: Glen Powell, William H. Macy, Lee Pace, Michael Cera, Emilia Jones, Daniel Ezra, Jayme Lawson, Colman Domingo, Josh Brolin, Katy M. O'Brian
Release Date: November 14, 2025
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Rated R for strong violence, some gore, and language
Runtime: 2h 13m
Review:
Edgar Wright’s take on The Running Man sticks much closer to the Stephen King novel than the 1987 Schwarzenegger film, but it struggles to find its own identity with it never able to decide if it wants to go full camp like that film or lean into the darker dystopian side of the King novel. Wright’s energetic style meshes well with the over-the-top action sequences and he’s clearly most comfortable in those moments. There’s a bit of Paul Verhoeven 80’s style world building, think Robocop, that leans into the satirical side that’s fun but never explored enough to make a meaningful impact. It’s an unsteady balance of energetic action with occasionally gruesome deaths paired with slower moments dealing with dying kids and ruminations about revolution. It’s a weird mix that makes for a herky jerky flow to the film especially since the performances across the board are generally over the top. Glen Powell leads the film capably, but he feels miscast from the start since his character is supposed to be a beaten down, desperate man something his chiseled features and physique don’t really communicate. It’s not Powell’s fault of course and he delivers a solid, likable performance from start to finish but his character lacks the kind of depth you’d expect. He’s got some basic character traits, and they don’t really expand beyond being good-hearted with a serious anti-authority streak but there’s little else to him when it’s all said and done even after becoming a sort of folk hero. Josh Brolin is much better suited for the role of the show's swarmy producer, Dan Killian, and he clearly relishes hamming it up in the role. Brolin is loads of fun every time he pops up but the film doesn’t take full advantage of his rather inspired turn. The same can be said for Colman Domingo turn as Bobby T, the host of The Running Man show, who is having a blast playing the charismatic, over the top character. They both are so over the top and energetic, you’re left wondering why Wright didn’t just go all in and deliver something more outright satirical that likely would have been more meaningful than slavishly serving King’s original story.
C+
