THE RUNNING MAN (2025) starring Glen Powell and directed by the wonderfully playful Edgar Wright is a wildly fun, entertaining piece of cinema. Based on the science fiction novel by Stephen King under the name Richard Bachman, with a biting social commentary foreshadowing a possible not-so-distant future, THE RUNNING MAN delivers in a variety of genres.
The R-rated action-packed thriller with humorous tone follows a futuristic reality game show where the audience participates by cheering on and even aiding in the murder of the contestants. The game show is produced by a network that manipulates the truth delivered to the audience that will provoke better ratings, keeping the people at the top of the food chain with the money and power. Our hero, Ben Richards played by the charismatic Glen Powell, can’t afford medicine for his baby daughter and reluctantly decides to play the game, believing he will set his wife and daughter up for a better life. Richards is aware he may not win, but just for playing the game he is able to provide more than he ever has. And for each day he survives the chase, is more money for his loved ones to get out of poverty. His anger and physical aptitude provide him a strength that has been nearly unmatched in a Running Man contestant, which is good for the ratings.
If you are at all into science fiction and enjoy parody of reality television game shows with the thrill of danger, THE RUNNING MAN is definitely a film worth checking out. Of course, this is not the first adaptation of the astute future predicting material. In 1987, THE RUNNING MAN starring Arnold Schwarzenegger was released. Like many people of my generation, I saw this graphic film at way too young an age, but absolutely adored it. It’s crazy to think that came out way before the influx of reality television and audience participation predicting what is so prevalent today. Today the satire hits a bit differently since we are nearly living in the crazy world the story is predicting.
THE RUNNING MAN 2025 is quite different from the 1987 version, but has the same themes. Following closer to the source material, Richards is on the run out in the world with hunters following him and a couple of other contestants. Citizens are encouraged to help in the hunt, by making a little cash of their own. Supporting turns by Josh Brolin as the evil Television executive Dan Killian and Coleman Domingo as the arrogant, energized game show host are perfect villains. Additionally, William H. Macy, Martin Herlihy, Katy O’Brian, and Michael Cera show up as odd-ball allies that bring a little levity and comic relief. But being an Edgar Wright film, THE RUNNING MAN is full of humorous gags and incredible music drops. From the guy who brought us SHAUN OF THE DEAD, HOT FUZZ, SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD, and BABY DRIVER, blending incredible action sequences with comedy and personality is not a problem.
The cynic in me finds THE RUNNING MAN easy to believe in, but that cynicism is also why I might roll my eyes at some of the film’s positive outlooks within the uneven final act. Nonetheless, THE RUNNING MAN slips into some of that positive old Hollywood formula with a dark premise presented in an easy-going fun action thriller vibe, digestible for most audiences to grab some popcorn and enjoy the ride.
