"Stop filming me!"
The United States is run by an authoritarian media network. Most people live in poverty and are desperate enough for money that they participate in deadly games for the entertainment of the wealthy. Ben Richards (Powell) was blacklisted from his job for trying to protect his co-workers. His two-year old daughter, Cathy (Alyssa Benn and Sienna Benn), is sick and needs medicine. His wife, Sheila (Lawson), works extra hours as a hostess, but can't make enough money to afford the medicine their daughter needs. With no other options, Ben goes to the Network to try out for one of their shows.
Ben's past actions and his willingness to help other contestants puts him on the radar of network executive Dan Killian (Brolin). Ben is selected for the most dangerous show "The Running Man" where contestants are hunted and killed live on the show. They are given money and a head start, and are tracked by five hunters and a hi-tech surveillance system run by the Network. If they survive 30 days, they win a massive amount of cash, but the show is considered a death sentence.
Ben vows to return to his family, but Killian paints him as a dangerous criminal. With the hunters, led by Evan McCone (Pace), and the bloodthirsty audience looking everywhere, can Ben survive the month?
The film is based on Stephen King's (originally published under the pseudonym Richard Bachman) 1982 novel "The Running Man". The story was previously adapted to film in 1987's The Running Man, starring Arnold Schwarzengger.
The Good:
The story sticks close to the original novel. But the screenplay by Michael Bacall and director Edgar Wright is also willing to make some changes to keep the audience (and fans of the novel) on their toes. The story moves at a decent pace and keeps the action moving.
Glen Powell is a strong, angry lead. And while he is over the top, it is hard to look away from Colman Domingo's Bobby T. The side characters, who pop-in to help, are interesting... it's too bad we don't get more time with them.
The Bad:
The film is missing director Edgar Wright's normal flair. It isn't a bad film, it just doesn't make as much of an impact as it could.
The villains, played by Josh Brolin and Lee Pace, are caricatures (i.e. mustache twirling villains) - they are over the top.
Other Comments:
-Has a different ending from both King's novel and the Schwarzenegger film.
-King endorsed the film
-I read the novel in preparation for watching the movie (and because I like another of King's non-horror novels). While the novel is hard to read (violence and language), it was a fascinating story and I was intrigued by an Edgar Wright adaptation. It was OK, but not overly memorable.
The Running Man (2025) 129 minutes
Rating: R for strong violence, some gore, and language
Director: Edgar Wright
Starring: Glen Powell as Ben Richards
William H. Macy as Molie
Lee Pace as Evan McCone
Michael Cera as Elton Parrakis
Emilia Jones as Amelia Williams
Daniel Ezra as Bradley
Jayme Lawson as Sheila Richards
Sean Hayes as Gary Greenbacks
Katy O'Brian as Jenni Laughlin
Colman Domingo as Bobby T
Josh Brolin as Dan Killian