The Running Man is based on the Stephen King novel of the same name and is a remake of the 1987 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. It is set in a not-so-distant future, where The Running Man TV show dominates the network as the most-watched show. It is a brutal contest where participants must evade professional killers for 30 days to survive to win a life- changing cash prize. Desperate to save his ailing daughter, Ben Richards agrees to join the deadly game after being manipulated by its ruthless producer. As the hunt unfolds, Ben’s determination, cunning, and resilience capture the audience’s attention, transforming him from a desperate man into a national sensation—and a danger to the corrupt system behind it all.
My hopes for this film were through the roof through being an aficionado of Edgar Wright and his filmography. Unfortunately I was slightly let down. What Edgar Wright triumphs is through his capability of creating fun films with a top-tier soundtrack. Did he succeed at this with The Running Man? Absolutely. But I wanted more. I had a blast watching this film and I really had empathy for the main character and his struggles- played wonderfully by Glen Powell- but where it fell short for me was the predictability of the script. I found myself mouthing the finishing words of lines because I just had an inkling at what it would be. It is important to note as well that I haven’t seen the original film or read the book either.
I have already touched briefly on Glen Powell’s performance but I believe it goes without saying that he is set to be a huge movie star and has an incredible career ahead of him. In this film he is the whole package- funny, witty, emotional, physically capable and also provides the stereotypical eye-candy that features in these type of films. Another actor in this film that shines is Michael Cera in his return to Wright’s filmography after his original appearance in Scott Pilgrim Vs the World (2010). I would actually go as far to say that he was the stand out in this film. It was certainly the part of the film that I had the most fun with. Another stand out for me, although brief in screen time, is Colman Domingo as The Running Man TV host- Bobby Thompson. He is usually type cast as a nice character but this role completely flips that for him but he played it brilliantly.
Although I’ve criticized the film for its predictability, I have to admit that it still resonates in how it mirrors our own world. Beneath its dystopian surface, it reflects today’s obsession with reality television and the struggles of those in disadvantaged positions, desperate for a chance at something better. The film also highlights the unsettling power of the media—how it manipulates content, even news, to shape narratives that serve its own agenda.
Perhaps most chilling is its commentary on deepfakes and the fabrication of conversations and events to achieve a desired effect. That element genuinely unnerved me while watching, especially because it feels alarmingly close to the reality we’re heading toward.
Overall, this film is simply a great time—thrilling, action-packed, and infused with a sense of 80s nostalgia, all backed by an incredible soundtrack. It’s an easy, entertaining watch that’s best enjoyed for what it is: pure, big-screen fun without the need to take it too seriously.
The Running Man is released in UK cinemas on the 12th November.
Megan Hilborne (Instagram: meghillbilly) is a freelance writer and film critic based in Portsmouth. She graduated with a degree in Film in 2020 and has continued her study of the medium in her day-to-day life. She takes particular interest in indie, horror, feminist and queer cinema.
