The Running Man (2025)
This Edgar Wright directed action film, The Running Man, is the second time the 1982 novel by Richard Bachman (aka Stephen King) has been adapted to the screen. The first time, a 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger vehicle, is such incompetently made cheese ball trash that it is unintentionally brilliant. There are scenes where, apparently, stationary cameras can go to different angles and self-edit. Another scene has Schwarzenegger's character watching a commercial for The Running Man television show, which plays scenes from the live episode that his character hasn't participated in yet. It's like the film is an accidental rumination of media manipulation. As dumb as it is, though, '87 The Running Man is an entertaining ride. This new version, however, is quite bland.
In a dystopian future, the biggest reality television show is The Running Man, where contestants are let loose in the city and must stay alive for 30 days while being hunted by professional killers. What makes it harder for a contestant to survive is that ordinary citizens can win money by reporting a runner's whereabouts.
Unemployed Ben Richards (Glen Powell) desperately needs money to get his sick child medicine, so he reluctantly tries out for a random reality show. The slimy creator of The Running Man, Dan Killian (Josh Brolin), convinces Richards that he is perfect for The Running Man show and has a real chance of winning.
From there, Richards gets in scrapes with assassins while trying to lay low, complete with donning disguises. One of his disguises is a blind priest, which is totally something that would attract attention.
Edgar Wright, known for sharp comedies including Shaun of the Dead and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, goes pretty much humorless here—or rather the intended jokes just aren't funny. He is even able to defuse Powell's on-screen charm.
The action
scenes are serviceable, but we have seen it all before. Then there is the mess
of a third act, which goes on and on and on before it finally wraps itself up.
This Running Man may be closer to the book than the '87 film, but who
cares? It's a dull movie.
