The Running Man Trailer, Fun Facts & Review
The Running Man Synopsis:
In a near-future dystopian America, the televised game show The Running Man pits contestants, known as Runners, against professional assassins in a deadly 30-day survival competition broadcast to a national audience. Desperate to earn money for his sick daughter's treatment, working-class Ben Richards (Glen Powell) joins the game, only to become a fan favorite. As his defiance and survival instincts make him a celebrity, he becomes a threat to the entire system that created the show, forcing him to outwit not just the Hunters but an entire nation addicted to the spectacle of his fight for survival.
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Thriller
Release Date: In theaters November 14th, 2025
The Running Man Fun Facts:
Stacked Cast:
The movie features an impressive lineup of talented cast, including Glen Powell, Josh Brolin, Michael Cera, Colman Domingo, William H. Macy, and Katy O'Brian.
"Scott Pilgrim vs. the World" Reunion:
This movie will be the first time director Edgar Wright and actor Michael Cera are working together again since their last collaboration in 2010 on the movie "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World."
Based on Stephen King's Novel:
The movie is based on the 1982 novel by Stephen King, which he wrote under the pseudonym Richard Bachman.
Second Adaptation:
This movie is the second adaptation of the book, following The Running Man (1987 film). The new adaptation will not be a remake of the 1987 film but a much more accurate rendition of the original story.
Old and New Ben Richards:
In the 1987 film Ben Richards (Arnold Schwarzenegger) was a helicopter pilot accused of a crime he did not commit; he was incarcerated and was given an opportunity on the deadly show to run for his freedom. In the new film Ben Richards (Glen Powell) is a desperate father who enters the deadly show to earn money for his sick daughter's treatment. This is a more accurate rendition of the original story.
Release Date:
The movie is scheduled to be released in theaters November 14th, 2025. It was originally scheduled for a November 21st, 2025 release date, but then it was changed to November 7th, 2025, and later pushed back to its current release date to avoid competition with Predator: Badlands.
The Running Man Review:
Director Edgar Wright's movie adaptation of Stephen King's book, The Running Man (1982), is finally here in the year 2025. This is the same year that King predicted in the book. The movie is a fast-paced, cool, and exciting action thriller. It fixes some of the issues from the older 1987 movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. However, its take on social issues feels out of date or doesn't match the real world of 2025.
The new movie closely follows Stephen King's dark and sad original book. Glen Powell plays the lead character, Ben Richards, who is a poor father in a failing America. He is a desperate man who can't afford medicine for his ill daughter. To get the money he needs, Richards joins the very popular reality TV show called "The Running Man." In the show, he must stay alive for 30 days while being chased by professional assassins called The Hunters (led by Lee Pace) and also hunted by the general public for a cash prize.
The movie is definitely a success because of its amazing action sequence and distinct visual style. Director Wright is famous for his signature fast-paced editing and uses rhythmic action very well. In the movie, he gives us some of the best and most exciting chase sequences of his career. The action is non-stop and feels more like a harsh and frantic escape on the road. Every fight, jump, and near-miss is timed with a rhythmic beat, creating intense energy that holds your attention.
Glen Powell's performance is excellent, playing Ben Richards and showing a mix of intelligence, anger, and genuine vulnerability. Richards is an ordinary man driven by emotions and desperation to save his daughter. The supporting cast shines just as well; Josh Brolin plays Dan Killian, the ruthless show producer with a fake smile. Colman Domingo is also fantastic as the charming but sneaky host, Bobby "Bobby T" Thompson. These two characters highlight the cold, business side of killing for entertainment.
When Stephen King wrote the novel, it was a dark reflection of the manipulative media of the early 1980s. However, releasing this new movie in 2025 is tricky. Today's world is already full of very misleading social media, fake videos and images (deepfakes), and political drama that is often more extreme than any fictional future. Because the real world is so intense now, the film's attempt at social criticism feels outdated.
Although Director Wright adds new ideas, like using fake videos (AI-fabricated videos) to frame Richards as a villain, it doesn't feel like a strong criticism of modern society. Also, Wright changed the book's sad ending to a happier one; while this makes for a satisfying hero story, it weakens the film's message against the powerful establishment.
The Running Man is an energetic and highly entertaining movie. It is an excellent direction made by Wright's masterful skills and a perfect performance by Glen Powell. It is a fast-paced action movie that showcases a well-rounded, talented cast. Although the book's social message feels outdated at times, the movie is fun to watch with great action sequences, cool style, and exciting chase sequences.