Running Man Review: A Fun Ride That Falls Short of Its Ambition
If I’m being honest, I didn’t even know this movie was coming out. My girlfriend and I were home bored, checked what was playing, and The Running Man ended up being the most interesting option. It is directed by Edgar Wright and based on the 1982 novel by Stephen King, written under his Richard Bachman pen name. I have not read the book or seen the older adaptation, so I went in with zero expectations, just a fresh pair of eyes and a hope that this new take with Glen Powell, Josh Brolin, and Colman Domingo would be worth the spontaneous trip to the cinema.
The story follows Ben Richards, a man who genuinely cannot catch a break. He has no job, no money, and a baby who needs medication he simply cannot afford. It is the kind of pressure that could push anyone to their limit, and in this futuristic world, there is one outrageous option on the table. A game show called “The Running Man” offers contestants a chance at a massive cash prize if they can survive being hunted for thirty days. It sounds like typical TV chaos until you realize the show is very real and losing does not mean going home empty handed. It means not going home at all.
Similar to The Long Walk, another Stephen King story that recently got the big screen treatment, The Running Man keeps you rooting for its lead every step of the way. The difference is that this one is far less grim. Instead of diving into the heavy, suffocating darkness King is known for, the film leans into a more comedic and lighthearted vibe. It might not be what some people expect when they see King’s name attached, but it still delivers a fun, energetic ride that’s easy to enjoy.
One of the biggest issues I had with the film was the pacing. The action never lets up, which might sound exciting, but it comes at the cost of any real character development. Everything moves so fast that even Ben Richards feels less like a fully realized person and more like a vessel running on money problems and a need to push back against the system. It’s entertaining, but it leaves you wanting more substance behind the spectacle.
The same goes for most of the characters in this movie. Maybe not Colman Domingo’s Bobby T, since he’s playing a flashy TV presenter in the vein of Caesar Flickerman from The Hunger Games, and that role naturally leans big and theatrical. Speaking of The Hunger Games, this movie actually shares a similar tone, so fans of that franchise might find a lot to enjoy here. But back to the point. The cast is filled with characters who had the potential to be genuinely interesting, yet we never get enough time with them to really feel that. I left the theater thinking this story might have worked better as a ten episode series, but hey, I’m not a director, just a fan with opinions.
And that leads me into something that stood out while I was watching. The movie clearly wants to say something bigger. It leans into themes about class struggle, corruption, and the systems that grind people down. On paper, that’s great. I’m always down for a story about the oppressed standing up to the oppressors. But here, it feels strangely forced, almost like the film is checking off a list of talking points rather than letting the message grow naturally out of the characters and the world.
Ben is positioned as this symbol of hope who’s supposed to inspire change, but I never truly bought that. If he’s meant to spark some kind of revolution, I honestly don’t see how that plays out once the credits roll. Nothing in the story suggests the world is any different after his big moments. Maybe when you watch it, you’ll catch something I missed, but for me, the message didn’t land in the way the filmmakers seemed to intend.
At the end of the day, The Running Man is a decent but imperfect ride. The action hits, the jokes land, and you’ll definitely find moments to enjoy, even if the deeper themes never quite stick the landing. A longer runtime or even a series might have given the story room to breathe, but hey, when you check it out for yourself you can let us know if you agree. The movie is now playing in cinemas, and the trailer is below.
