The 1980s movie The Running Man, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, is a beloved cult classic, but it takes a lot of liberties with Stephen King’s original story. While it’s common for films to change books, this version dramatically shifted King’s dark and serious tale into a standard action film. The new adaptation, directed by Edgar Wright, aims to be more faithful to the novel, combining King’s bleak world with Wright’s exciting action style. Initial reactions to the film, released a week before its official premiere, suggest it’s a big hit.
People on X are sharing their thoughts on The Running Man, and they’re really impressed! Viewers are praising both director Edgar Wright’s work and a moving performance by star Glen Powell, which keeps the film grounded. One user, @filmsbyJuan, even called it a significant improvement over other Stephen King adaptations this year – high praise considering how many excellent King adaptations we’ve already seen in 2025. You can find more reactions below.
Everyone’s loving ‘The Running Man’! Many are calling it Glen Powell’s best performance to date. The movie is thrilling, surprisingly funny, and really relevant to what’s happening in the world today. It’s considered Edgar Wright’s best film yet, with stunning visuals, and a clear improvement over other Stephen King adaptations this year. Don’t miss it!
— Juan* – Awards Season Expert (@filmsbyJuan) November 6, 2025
Okay, seriously, “The Running Man” is amazing! Edgar Wright really knocked it out of the park with the action sequences – they’re like a perfect blend of Paul Verhoeven’s style, clever social observations, and just pure, nail-biting excitement. But what really makes the movie work is Glen Powell. He’s fantastic as a regular guy who gets pushed to his absolute limit, and his performance is surprisingly moving. Honestly, go see it right now – you won’t regret it!
— Drew Taylor (@DrewTailored) November 5, 2025
Edgar Wright’s The Running Man is a fun, over-the-top movie with a lot of satirical bite, clearly inspired by Paul Verhoeven’s style. Glen Powell delivers a fantastic, energetic performance and really shines as the lead. I’m excited to discuss it further on @ProjBigScreen!
— One Gooch After Another (@bobgoochman) November 6, 2025
“The Running Man” is a fast-paced and exciting movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It’s an enjoyable film with a surprising amount of emotional depth. Glen Powell is fantastic in the lead role, making you really care about his character, and Edgar Wright has created something truly special!
— Kathy Paz (@kathypaz) November 6, 2025
I absolutely loved “The Running Man”! Edgar Wright and Glen Powell created a non-stop, exciting movie with a fantastic cast and soundtrack that I immediately wanted to rewatch. Glen Powell has proven he’s a major star in the making.
— Thomas Ellinidis • One Take News (@ThomasOneTake) November 5, 2025
I was completely blown away by THE RUNNING MAN and can’t wait for you all to see it! It’s incredibly relevant to what’s happening right now, and it’s also non-stop thrilling, funny, and full of surprises. Seriously, Edgar Wright is a filmmaking genius!
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) November 1, 2025
It’s been an amazing year for Stephen King adaptations! We’ve already seen great versions of The Life of Chuck, The Long Walk, and It: Welcome to Derry, and now The Running Man is another fantastic addition.
While I liked the 1987 film, I was really hoping for an adaptation that stayed closer to the original novel. Edgar Wright and his team have absolutely delivered on that, and more…
— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) November 5, 2025
I’ve been really enjoying the movies I’ve seen recently! Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein was excellent, Predator: Badlands was a lot of fun, and I’m thrilled to say Edgar Wright’s version of The Running Man is a fantastic way to end a great year for Stephen King adaptations. There are some really good films out in theaters right now!
— Eric Vespe (@EricVespe) November 6, 2025
The Running Man Could Be The Year’s Best Stephen King Adaptation
2025 has already been a fantastic year for Stephen King adaptations, with films like The Monkey, The Life of Chuck, and The Long Walk, plus the TV series IT: Welcome to Derry keeping fans entertained. But early reactions suggest the year’s best might be The Running Man. While full reviews aren’t available yet, the film is receiving incredible praise, and many believe it’s perfectly suited for the big screen. People are saying it represents a significant step forward for director Wright, who has delivered some truly thrilling action sequences. Audiences also seem to be responding very positively to Powell’s performance as the main character, Ben Richards, suggesting he’ll make it easy to connect with the story.
It’s no surprise Edgar Wright delivered what many are calling the best movie adaptation of the year. He’s been developing his unique filmmaking style for over twenty years, consistently bringing a dynamic energy to his projects. Even his early work, like the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy, showed his talent for exciting action sequences. While Baby Driver felt like a peak achievement in that area, Wright may have surpassed himself with The Running Man. The trailers suggest some truly impressive action scenes, and it’s going to be fantastic to experience them on the big screen.
Following a slow October for movie theaters, owners are hoping The Running Man will boost ticket sales in November. Director Edgar Wright is well-respected and has a dedicated following, but his films haven’t typically been huge box office hits. Only one of his movies, Baby Driver ($226.9 million worldwide), has earned over $100 million. The success of Baby Driver suggests a good potential audience for The Running Man, as people enjoy Wright’s creative action films, particularly when they generate positive buzz. If early reactions translate to a high score on Rotten Tomatoes, The Running Man could have a strong opening weekend.
Remaking a film is always challenging because it’s hard to escape comparison with the original. There’s a lot of pressure to do the story justice and prove the new version was worth making. Beyond Arnold Schwarzenegger’s praise, the positive reactions suggest this new take on The Running Man is a success – he even claimed it’s the first time Stephen King’s original idea has been truly captured on screen. Early signs indicate The Running Man could be one of the best movies this fall, and potentially the best Stephen King adaptation of 2025.
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2025-11-06 18:43