The Running Man Review
In an alternate future, the world is divided into the “Haves” and the “Have Nots.” The wealthy have money, security, and proper medical care. The working class faces job insecurity, crime, and exorbitant medical costs.
Ben Richards is among the less fortunate ones. While he is fiercely loyal, hardworking, and tough, some of his misfortunes stem from his barely controlled rage. Matters are made worse for Ben as his child falls ill and he’s unable to pay for medicine. Desperate to care for his child, he turns to one last option – a TV show called The Running Man.
The TV game show unites the country and is a distraction from its bigger problems. Three contestants are set loose in the US and must keep from getting caught for a whole month. Citizens are paid for spotting the contestants and sending in tips as hunters pursue them. And if the Running Man is caught, they are killed. Only the craziest or desperate join The Running Man.
Seeing no other option to save his child, Ben joins the game show, much to the delight of producer Dan Killian. A loose cannon like Ben is perfect for ratings. But as Ben quickly finds out, the deck is stacked against him. He’ll have to use all his strength and cunning if he’s going to survive and collect the prize.
If Glen Powell hadn’t already established himself as a leading man, The Running Man confirms it. As Ben Richards, Powell is likable as an everyman while still being deeply flawed. Powell is convincing as a loving father and husband. He’s believable as a blue-collar worker who is loyal to his friends.
Yet he’s also believable as a man full of uncontrollable rage. Portraying a complex character like that can be difficult, but Powell manages to get the audience to root for him. He’s also convincing in both the action and the comedy. Director Edgar Wright really brings out Powell’s full potential.
Glen Powell is backed up by a first-rate supporting cast. Josh Brolin is great as Dan Killian. He manages to sweet-talk Ben into joining The Running Man, then puts him through hell once the deed is done. He’s a great villain. Lee Pace has little screentime as Evan McCone, the main hunter after Ben. But the little time he’s on the screen leaves a big impact as he wrestles between being Killian’s enforcer and lap dog.
Michael Cera reunites with his Scott Pilgrim director in a memorable performance as Elton Parrakis. Elton wavers between being completely trustworthy and utterly insane, and Ben finds himself facing whiplash as he tries to decide whether to follow him or run from him. His scenes are some of the more fun ones.
Then Emilia Jones, best known from CODA, has a significant cameo as Amelia Williams. While she’s the damsel in distress, she becomes the face of the wealthy class who must reckon with the mess they’ve helped create.
There are some other great cameos in The Running Man. William H. Macy helps Ben along the way as Molie Jernigan. David Zayas of Dexter fame briefly appears as Richard Manuel, Ben’s indifferent ex-employer. Sean Hayes has a brief appearance as a game-show host from another TV show. But one of the better cameos is Lewis Pullman as another Running Man contestant. He steals every scene he’s in and quickly establishes himself as the most incompetent contestant.
I was always a big fan of Paul Verhoeven’s films like RoboCop, Total Recall, and Starship Troopers. They were violent, funny, and full of social commentary wrapped in sci-fi spectacle. While The Running Man doesn’t replicate that to the same degree, Edgar Wright clearly draws inspiration from them. It’s a nice nod I’d like to see more of.
The Running Man does face some pacing issues. While it starts out fast-paced and pulse-pounding, it quickly falls into lulls that drag it down. While the 1987 The Running Man took place over hours, this story takes place over weeks. That, unfortunately, lets the narrative take its foot off the gas more often than it should.
When the action finally hits, the set pieces are impressive. Michael Cera’s character kicks off a house of booby traps that would make Home Alone proud. An assault on a hotel is reminiscent of Die Hard. And a battle in a futuristic airplane seems to take inspiration from Air Force One.
But all these moments were spoiled in the film’s trailers, and if you saw them, you know what’s going to happen well in advance. I know the creators must sell the movie to audiences, but it does take some of the edge off the beautiful action pieces.
I’ll also comment on Colman Domingo as game show host Bobby Thompson. While he has a lot of style and charm, he really needed to be more villainous. The host needed to be a more over-the-top character like Richard Dawson in the 1987 version. He needed to be a character you love to hate. Instead, he’s watered down, and by the end, he’s almost made to be sympathetic rather than a co-conspirator of the oppressive government. He was a lost opportunity.
As a fan of Edgar Wright, I think The Running Man was better than Last Night in Soho but not as good as Baby Driver. It’s still very much worth seeing on the big screen with an enthusiastic audience.
THE RUNNING MAN REVIEW RATING: 7 OUT OF 10
The Running Man will open in theaters on Friday, November 14, 2025. The film has been rated R by the Motion Picture Association (MPA) for strong violence, some gore, and language.
