The Running Man review: Glen Powell proves a charismatic hero in Edgar Wright remake

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A star rating of 3 out of 5.

Glen Powell, known for his roles in films like Top Gun: Maverick and Twisters, stars in a new, high-action remake of the 1987 thriller, taking on the part originally made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Expendables 3.

Okay, so the story takes place in a really messed up, controlling America where everyone’s basically distracted by super violent TV. It all started with a book by Stephen King – he actually wrote it under the name Richard Bachman back in ’82 – but Edgar Wright, the guy who did Shaun of the Dead and Last Night in Soho, wanted to make this movie really faithful to that original book. He’s gone even further than the first film in sticking to the source material, which I think is awesome.

Unlike the original version where Ben Richards was a police officer forced to compete, this Ben Richards is a regular working-class man struggling to make ends meet in a poor neighborhood. His desperation to provide for his wife and sick child leads him to willingly sign up for the dangerous, but highly-paid, Running Man TV show.

A group of people can win a billion dollars if they manage to avoid being caught for 30 days. But they’re being hunted across the country by a highly skilled team of assassins, led by a ruthless and mysterious masked man. The chase is broadcast on television, and viewers are incentivized to report the contestants’ locations for a share of the prize money, all orchestrated by the network’s self-satisfied CEO, Dan Killian (Josh Brolin).

Killian and the fast-talking host, Bobby T (Colman Domingo), see Richards as a valuable asset for attracting viewers. His ability to escape those hunting him – and the constant surveillance from drones – keeps people watching, especially when he narrowly avoids danger, like in a dramatic, close call at a rundown Boston hotel. But could Richards’s stubbornness and refusal to give up actually motivate viewers in unexpected ways, potentially disrupting the network’s carefully crafted plans?

Edgar Wright, known for his fast-paced action films like Hot Fuzz and Baby Driver, delivers thrilling and energetic action sequences throughout the movie, including a dangerous game of chicken on a bridge and a final showdown in the air. Unlike the original 1987 film, which took place in a hidden underground setting, this version spans across the United States, offering a broader view of a country struggling with economic disparity and influenced by a powerful elite who readily use misinformation to shape public opinion.

The recent film The Long Walk, based on an early Stephen King story, explores a similar idea. It depicts a televised competition where people fight to survive, designed to keep the public from focusing on their difficult lives. This kind of symbolic storytelling would likely have been praised by George A. Romero, the director who inspired the film’s creator, known for his work like Night of the Living Dead.

As much as I love a good disguise, the movie sometimes loses a little steam when our hero, Richards, keeps having to go undercover. It’s not that these scenes are bad, but all the quick changes and attempts to avoid being recognized occasionally slow things down and take the edge off the suspense. It’s a bit episodic, and while it adds to his resourcefulness, it does disrupt the overall flow.

I have to say, Powell is a really compelling lead – he’s constantly simmering with rage, but also incredibly resourceful and lucky to get help along the way. It was fun spotting familiar faces like William H. Macy, Emilia Jones (who I loved in CODA), and Michael Cera, who Edgar Wright previously directed in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. Cera’s character, a bit of a wild card, has this amazing, over-the-top hideout that honestly reminded me of something straight out of a Rambo movie – seriously decked out with traps!

Also, be on the lookout for a surprising cameo by Arnold Schwarzenegger!

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2025-11-11 22:34