The Running Man – REVIEW

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In 1987, Arnold Schwarzenegger was becoming a major movie star, and films like The Running Man and especially Predator helped solidify his path to box office success. The film, originally based on a novel by Stephen King (under the name Richard Bachman), features a man forced to compete in a deadly televised game show where he’s hunted by professional killers. However, with Schwarzenegger in peak physical condition, the outcome felt pretty certain. Now, writer-director Edgar Wright has reimagined the story with a significantly bigger budget.

I was really intrigued by Glen Powell taking on the lead role – he plays Ben Richards as a much more relatable, everyday guy, though he definitely has a temper, which is why he keeps getting fired. And he’s just lost another job! Now, he’s trying to win it back while also looking after the kids, and his wife is working double shifts just to keep them afloat. It all happens in this really bleak, cynical future where game shows are unbelievably brutal – physically and emotionally. The biggest, most notorious one is ‘The Running Man’, offering a huge cash prize… if you can survive. Spoiler alert: no one ever does, but people keep signing up anyway. Against his wife’s better judgement, Ben enters, passes the qualifications, and ends up competing with two other people who, let’s be honest, don’t stand much of a chance. The whole thing is hosted by this wildly over-the-top TV presenter – Colman Domingo is fantastic! – and the three contestants are thrown into the city, egged on by a bloodthirsty audience, with the goal of surviving for 30 days. And just like that, the games begin.

The film follows Richards as he’s chased by hunters led by a masked man named McCone (Lee Pace). We see him navigate several exciting action sequences, including a particularly clever scene in a house filled with traps owned by Michael Cera. Along his journey, he encounters characters played by William H. Macy and Emilia Jones. The story doesn’t offer much suspense about whether he’ll ultimately succeed.

Edgar Wright, as a director, is known for his unique visual flair – think of the quick cuts and transitions in his ‘Cornetto Trilogy,’ the vibrant graphics in ‘Scott Pilgrim vs. the World,’ the impressive long takes like the opening of ‘Baby Driver,’ and carefully planned shots in ‘Last Night in Soho.’ However, those signature touches are largely absent in this, his most expensive film to date. While it’s a well-shot action movie, it doesn’t quite reach the heights of films like ‘The Raid’ or the ‘John Wick’ series. There was also a missed opportunity with the villain, McCone, whose reveal of his face would have been more impactful if it had been a well-known actor or a classic movie star.

The film shines with its witty script, offering sharp commentary on AI, media manipulation, and the world of reality TV. Glen Powell delivers a strong performance, and Josh Brolin, like Colman Domingo, convincingly plays a morally ambiguous television producer. However, despite a large budget, the film feels less innovative and creative compared to director Wright’s previous work, resulting in a somewhat predictable story. It seems a smaller budget often sparks more creativity, and that’s missing here.

Here’s The Running Man trailer….

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2025-11-12 08:24