The Running Man – Movie Review (3/5)

THE RUNNING MAN is the new take on Stephen King’s dystopian game show sci-fi thriller. This one has a lot of dark comedy in there as well, which suits the 1980s style very well. I did, however, find it too long for its own good. Read our full The Running Man 2025 movie review here!

THE RUNNING MAN is a new movie by genre filmmaker Edgar Wright. It’s based on a novel by Stephen King, just as the first film adaptation from 1987 was. That one starred Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has a cameo in this one – sort of, he’s on the currency.

This time, Glen Powell stars as Ben Richards, and as someone susceptible to his charm (despite having more in common with Katy O’Brian), he works well for me. He has serious anger issues, but also wants to fight for what’s right. A familiar and efficient premise.

Continue reading our 2025 The Running Man movie review below. Find it in theaters from November 14, 2025.

Game Show of Death

The Running Man 2025 is a sci-fi conspiracy thriller showing a dystopian world where the richest people try to divide the poorest, so they’ll hate each other instead of them.

Sound familiar? Yeah, Stephen King stories have never been too far from the world we live in.

As someone who watched the 1987 The Running Man many times growing up, the world of this Stephen King (written as Richard Bachman, just like The Long Walk) story is nothing new. And yet, it is as relevant and current as ever.

It takes place in a near-future society, where the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. No medicine or food for the poor, while the rich want for nothing. Also, AI can make anything seem real in an instant, so you can’t tell fact from fiction.

Finally, everyone is obsessed with mind-numbing TV shows. From “The Americanos” reality show, where we follow a rich family and their drama, to various game shows that tend to have fatal outcomes for their contestants.

Anything to forget the horror of real life. All while dreaming of getting on one of these game shows, so you can be set for life. Of course, it doesn’t look like anyone really wins. Ever. But the dream of winning is being sold nonetheless.

Still made with an 1980s vibe

To me, I wasn’t sure if a 2025 version of The Running Man was necessary. However, my editor had never watched the 1987 original adaptation and loved this one, so I guess it’s still very relevant to a new generation.

What I wasn’t sure about at first was the decision to make it in a strange 1980s retro sci-fi style. Then again, I can understand that making it more contemporary (outside of the obvious Kardashian reference) would probably be too dark for many viewers.

So I was won over fairly fast by this. Somehow, things seem more innocent when shown in a retro 1980s light. Familiar, yet not too close to our current situation.

Even though it definitely is!

I can imagine plenty of people watching The Running Man in 2025 and thinking: “I’d sign up for that if I could actually win enough money to be set for life.” Just like Ben Richards rationalizes it in this story.

Running for your life

The Running Man is named after the top-rated show on television in this dystopian near-future. It’s a deadly competition where the contestants are called “Runners” because they have to survive for 30 days in order to win.

During these 30 days, they will be hunted by professional assassins, known as “Hunters”, and anyone in the public can also get rich by reporting a “Runner”. So, it’s essentially you against everyone else.

Ben Richards (Glen Powell) is desperate to save his sick daughter. Also, this working-class hero has a temper, which tends to get him fired. Sometimes for doing the right thing and helping his colleagues, but also just for getting angry and lashing out.

Sure, Ben Richards is a working-class man, but he isn’t without flaws. Then again, who isn’t?! The point in this story is simply that he is easily manipulated into being an ideal contestant. The ruthless producer, Dan Killian (Josh Brolin), spots this immediately.

Watch the 2025 The Running Man in theaters!

Edgar Wright is the director of The Running Man in this 2025 version, and he is a director I am very fond of. Especially for Shaun of the Dead, which I can always rewatch, but also newer movies such as Baby Driver and Last Night in Soho.

Combine this with my love of Stephen King, and we’re off to an excellent start. The screenplay comes from Michael Bacall and Michael Bacall & Edgar Wright. No, I didn’t stutter; that’s how the credit goes both on screen and in press material, so there you go.

Alongside Glen Powell, Katy O’Brian, and Josh Brolin, we also get the pleasure of Colman Domingo (The Madness), Jayme Lawson, Emilia Jones (Task), Michael Cera, William H. Macy, Karl Glusman, Sean Hayes, David Zayas, and Lee Pace.

RETRO ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER REVIVAL

Last week, Predator: Badlands came out, and now it’s The Running Man. Arnold Schwarzenegger originated the lead role in both, which were movies I grew up with, but I recognize the charm of these 2025 versions. Hopefully, you will, as well.

My one big hurdle with this 2025 version of The Running Man is that the ending felt forced. I am all for the wild action sequences, the 1980s retro vibe, and even the dark comedy and charming, but flawed, hero.

However, it is too long. And especially because the ending didn’t feel very organic to me. It felt more like an afterthought or a correction of the originally intended ending.

Whatever the case, I cannot argue against its theme or entertainment value. It is wildly entertaining. And yes, this means I have to recommend watching it. Even though it made me want to rewatch the original as well – and insist my editor watches it with me.

THE RUNNING MAN IS OUT ONLY IN THEATERS, DOLBY CINEMA, 4DX, SCREENX, PREMIUM LARGE FORMATS, AND IMAX NOVEMBER 14, 2025.

Details

Director: Edgar Wright
Script: Michael Bacall, Michael Bacall & Edgar Wright
Cast: Glen Powell, William H. Macy, Lee Pace, Emilia Jones, Michael Cera, Daniel Ezra, Jayme Lawson, Colman Domingo, Josh Brolin

Photos © 2025 PARAMOUNT PICTURES. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.