A dystopian thriller for our times. Our J.P. gives his take on “The Running Man” reboot starring Glen Powell.
The Running Man
Paramount Pictures
- Directed by Edgar Wright
- Screenplay by Michael Bacall, Edgar Wright
- Based on The Running Man by Stephen King
- Produced by Simon Kinberg, Nira Park, Edgar Wright
- Starring Glen Powell, William H. Macy, Lee Pace, Michael Cera, Emilia Jones, Daniel Ezra, Jayme Lawson, Sean Hayes, Colman Domingo, Josh Brolin
Studio Synopsis:
In a near-future society, “The Running Man” is the top-rated show on television — a deadly competition where contestants, known as Runners, must survive 30 days while being hunted by professional assassins, with every move broadcast to a bloodthirsty public and each day bringing a greater cash reward. Desperate to save his sick daughter, working-class Ben Richards (Glen Powell) is convinced by the show’s charming but ruthless producer, Dan Killian (Josh Brolin), to enter the game as a last resort. But Ben’s defiance, instincts, and grit turn him into an unexpected fan favorite—and a threat to the entire system. As ratings skyrocket, so does the danger, and Ben must outwit not just the Hunters, but a nation addicted to watching him fall.
J.P.’s Take:
A resurgence of the Richard Bachman era is currently underway. For those of us, die-hard fans, we’ve come to know that Steven King, under this pseudonym, was quite the prolific writer at the beginning of his career and still to this day.
During this time, King published just seven novels under the fictitious name, which launched him into a stellar career path. Among them is “The Long Walk,” which had a difficult birth as a full-fledged film, only to experience unexpected success upon its September 12, 2025, release. The second is the highly anticipated, and refreshed “The Running Man,” which was originally released in 1987 and starred the muscle-bound, newly minted action figure, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Obviously, Stephen King has built quite an esteemed reputation for writing some of the most enthralling literature around, yet many of the films made from his creations haven’t reached the same level as his respected works. Finally, King has taken control of his entities, becoming executive producer of “The Long Walk” and now “The Running Man,” giving him the ability to oversee that his brainchild is presented in its rightful light. And I can say for sure that “The Running Man,” the 2025 reboot film, is every bit of what Stephen King had envisaged … and has us fans rejoicing over its rebirth.
From the start, we’re introduced to the imposing world of a dystopian country: hounded by an overbearing corporation and its greed and the bloodlust for grueling torture porn reality TV that has brainwashed our society. Thus, it makes this retooling of a Bachman classic so apropos of our time.
At the center of this story is Ben Richards (Glenn Powell), an everyday guy struggling to make ends meet and to take care of his wife and sickly child. Over a series of heroic mishaps in his previous jobs, Ben finds himself wandering want-ads and looking for anything to make a buck. Yet, in the future, the only thing many folks are qualified for is a reality game show called, of course, “The Running Man,” in which contestants are put through a deadly cat-and-mouse game of hunter and prey. This new take on the story is more engaging than the Schwarzenegger version because today’s Ben Richards is filled with angst. Yet, he still possesses the determination to survive and protect his family.
Once we’re into the thick of the matter, Ben has to devise some pretty clever ways to escape his hunters. These are the moments that define King’s intricately woven tale and creating eccentrically wild scenarios. In one particular whacky moment, Ben has found a way out of the Co-Op city, and must lie low until the 30 days of the hunt are up.
He connects with Elton Parrakis (Michael Cera), who offers him safe harbour from the hunters in his fun house of weaponry. Yet, while evading the hunters, Ben is put through a gauntlet of boobie traps scattered throughout Parrakis’ home, which you’d think you’re watching an action version of “Home Alone.” It’s both hilarious and exhilarating at the same time.
With clenched teeth, Ben Richards becomes an urban gladiator, spouting the catch phrase, “I’m still here, ya sh**-eaters!” Much of the middle half was subterfuge, which played into some nicely wrapped cloak-and-dagger instances.
Along with Powell and Cera, the cast of the Edgar Wright-directed film also stars Josh Brolin (Thanos in the Marvel Cinematic Universe) as the calculating producer Dan Killian and Colman Domingo (“Rustin,” “Euphoria”) as charismatic host Bobby Thompson. Lee Pace (Ronan the Accuser in “Guardians of the Galaxy” and Thranduil in “The Hobbit” trilogy) plays Evan McCone, the masked leader of the “Hunters” who pursue Ben. Some of the supporting cast include Jayme Lawson (“The Batman”) as Ben’s wife, Sheila Richards, William H. Macy (“Fargo, Shameless”) as the ally Molie Jernigan, and Emilia Jones (“CODA”) as civilian Amelia Williams, who is taken hostage during the game. In addition to the main cast, several other familiar faces appear in the film: Katy O’Brian (“Love Lies Bleeding,” “The Mandalorian”) plays Jenni Laughlin, a fellow contestant, and Sean Hayes (Jack from TV’s “Will & Grace“) has a cameo as the host of another game show.
The 2025 reboot is presented with a tongue-in-cheek demeanor, which provoked a good number of hardy chuckles and applause. Hidden within the spectacle are numerous Easter eggs; revealing them here would only spoil the fun of discovery. They are positioned to be eye-catching for fans of both King’s work and the original “The Running Man.”
In this dystopian landscape, a world plagued by corporate takeovers, classism, media manipulation, and a failing healthcare system unfolds. Yet, amidst this chaos, our hero seizes the opportunity to outsmart a corrupt media empire and the government, all while cleverly disguising this rebellion as a thrilling game show.
Ultimately, this adaptation of “The Running Man” is the definitive Stephen King story we’ve been waiting for, and I had a great time watching it.
Official Site: The Running Man
