The Running Man Movie Review

The Running Man, based on Stephen King’s (writing under the pseudonym Richard Bachman) novel of the same name, didn’t do well when it was first published. It picked up steam after the film came out and has grown in popularity for its commentary, for one, on class divisions and how dangerous the world has become.

Directed by Edgar Wright, who directed “Baby Driver” and “Shaun of the Dead,” said a few of his favorite films were “Raising Arizona,” “Run Lola Run,” and “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.” You walk into his work knowing what you’re about to get. His early work prepared him for this gem. And, based on those titles alone, I’m in to watch anything he has a hand in. He wanted his film to be closer to the book, set in 2025, of all things. Well, he managed that. Here, he reimagines the 1987 film that was directed by Paul Michael Glaser, with Arnold Schwarzenegger as his Ben Richards. Actor-producer Glen Powell (Hit Man, Top Gun: Maverick) plays the lead, Ben Richards, in this adaptation.

Powell, a friend of Schwarzenegger’s son, Patrick, wanted Schwarzenegger’s approval before playing the role. He received it instantly. And after watching the trailers, he got ours. The original was rather cheesy. Changing things up by adding an actor of Powell’s quality instantly improved things. He’s a great choice. My new go-to guy action star. He plays Ben Richards, a family man with a plan, with ease. He can do romance just as easily, so look for his star to rise after this is released.

Out of a job, Ben’s wife Shelia (Jayme Lawson of Sinners), has been waitressing and picking up odd jobs on the side to keep the wolf from the door. He’s at home watching their baby girl grow sicker and sicker. They need to get her to the doctor. He sees an ad for The Running Man game show and hears the money you can earn by going on the show, hoping not to die for the amusement of an audience. Desperate, he sees it as a way to help them all get out of the slum, and quickly, but running around for thirty days with everyone trying to kill you? Daunting.

At tryouts, Ben catches the eye of the show’s owner, Killian (Josh Brolin), who tells him he’s the angriest man to ever try out for the show. He’s a natural, and anger is his superpower. So, to make sure he gets Ben in, he gives him some money to get his family through for a while. His demeanor interests those on social media. Everyone with a phone finds him. They “record and report” his whereabouts to the host. The audience has a burning desire to see someone make it the full thirty days, but with this going on, that’s a big ask.

The show isn’t exactly on the up and up, but Ben does the best he can to defeat the hunters that are on him every moment. Killian and the show’s host, Bobby Thompson, played by the terrific Colman Domingo, want his blood because that kind of show attracts more viewers. It’s not long before Ben intends to expose the truth and reverse what’s happening to him, but will people, outside of his little band of misfits, believe anything they see and hear? In a world hellbent on ending you, can the good guy win? Well, he’s also the “Final Guy,” so you be the judge.

Ben is smart. He knows where to go, what to do, and who to speak to when in trouble. He’s in way over his head right away, yes, but luckily, he has a few people willing to help him out. A supporting character played by Michael Cera is one you won’t soon forget. He, in his far-out scenes, is what a movie like this is made for.

An A+ to the cinematography by the talented Chung-hoon Chung (Oldboy), who makes this world so believable. You’ll want to be there. Sadly, my most significant negative is something I’ve been saying a lot lately. A lot is going on, it’s wild and fun, but it could have been shorter. It needed to be shorter.