#REVIEW: “THE RUNNING MAN”

Though many of us have seen 1987’s adaptation of the Stephen King novel starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Edgar Wright’s reimagining of THE RUNNING MAN offers a new perspective and all the thrills and then some. Featuring a gutsy and physical performance by leading man Glen Powell, this latest version possesses a rebellious heart and drive to fight the system that still resonates with an audience of today.

Ben Richards (Powell) is down and out on his luck and desperate. Despite his reservations about it, he enters a nationally-televised deadly game of hide-and-seek called THE RUNNING MAN in hopes of winning a lucrative cash prize that would resolve a lot of his life issues, including caring for his wife and ill daughter. The game is simple in theory – simply don’t get found and also don’t die – but it isn’t so easy as rewards are offered to the public to either report sightings of the man on the run, or even more so, aggressive Hunters are rewarded generously to unalive the running man.

Ben‘s fire and gumption make him the perfect candidate in the network’s eyes, and it isn’t before long that he realizes how corrupt network head Dan Killian (Josh Brolin) is. He’s willing to risk it all in a game that’s designed to see him fail and die. Before Ben knows it, he’s not only a fight to win the prize for him and his family, he’s in a fight against the system for humanity, in a dystopian society that’s obsessed with the TV show.

Powell once again delivers a tremendous performance, nailing the physical aspects of the role and its complex movement and choreography.  Wright crafts a heart-racing, adrenaline-filled thrill ride start to finish and it doesn’t take long before we’re fully invested. Where the story does falter a bit is balancing Ben‘s relationship with his wife and child to the bigger picture. We’re led to feel he’s really doing it all for his family, but it doesn’t always feel it when wife and daughter feel so far removed from it all.

The Film is packed with some fantastic supporting performances including an over-the-top – in the best way – Colman Domingo, as the charismatic host of THE RUNNING MAN, Bobby T. He commands the screen as the deadly game’s hype man, drawing us into this chaotic world.  An unrecognizable Michael Cera is enlisted to help Ben along the way, bringing us anxiety and laughter. Exciting talent Emilia Jones surfaces late in the Film as Amelia, who the public are led to believe is taken hostage by Ben.

Wright crafts a meticulous moviegoing experience and everything about the production feels grand, really taking this familiar story to new heights. Definitely a fun way to get your heart rate up.

Paramount Pictures Canada release THE RUNNING MAN Friday, November 14, 2025.

We had the pleasure of attending a screening with Wright in-attendance: