Based on the Stephen King short story “The Running Man,” this new on screen iteration is much closer to the book than the 1987 cult action classic ‘The Running Man’ made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger who starred as Ben Richards in 1987. “The Running Man” was written under Stephen Kings’ alias Richard Bachman. The story is about an innocent man in a brutal reality gameshow fighting for his life and the system to gain his freedom while being hunted on live TV.
The Running Man Official Synopsis from the website (Below) : The Running Man | Official Website | November 14 2025
‘In a near-future society, The Running Man is the top-rated show on television—a deadly competition where contestants, known as Runners, must survive 30 days while being hunted by professional assassins, with every move broadcast to a bloodthirsty public and each day bringing a greater cash reward. Desperate to save his sick daughter, working-class Ben Richards (Glen Powell) is convinced by the show’s charming but ruthless producer, Dan Killian (Josh Brolin), to enter the game as a last resort. But Ben’s defiance, instincts, and grit turn him into an unexpected fan favorite—and a threat to the entire system. As ratings skyrocket, so does the danger, and Ben must outwit not just the Hunters, but a nation addicted to watching him fall.’
The Running Man is a sensational roller-coaster, adrenaline rush, non-stop action of a ride. Glen Powell delivers an intense and charismatic performance with rage as Ben Richards, and further confirms himself as a superstar on the big screen. Ben Richards is a working class man trying to fight for his family, with good morals, good intentions in a society where the rich get richer and are oblivious, and the poor get poorer while trying to fight in a system that is rigged for people to lose hope. Ironically tapping into the wealth and class divide that exists in the real world today is eerily similar in a lot of aspects to society today. Ben Richards is a man with a wife and two year old daughter Cathy who is unwell due to the lack of money to afford the right medicine for her influenza, which they cannot afford due to Ben being fired from his job, and is blacklisted for trying to find another job. As the stakes the get higher with his daughter’s life at risk and his wife working in a dangerous and risky job, he decides to apply to go on the most popular television reality program in history ‘The Running Man’ where he must survive for 30 days while being hunted by ruthless assassins and the American public around the country, as he fights to win one billion dollars to save himself and his family. But as Ben Richards continues to get further and survive, and fight against the Hunters, he becomes a symbol of hope for the people struggling against a corrupt government operated television network. The hope that one man can make a difference with his unrelenting grit, bravery, unflinching conviction, physical stamina, strength, endurance makes him the perfect runner and defiance against a system that has shown him injustice and no compassion. He shows an example to the public that you can fight against all the odds. The Running Man was published in 1982 and was set in the year 2025 by Stephen King with so many of the things in the book becoming science-fact with it’s release ironically in November 14th 2025, the same time the 1987 film was released.
As he attempts to survive this hell of a game show, he is helped by various individuals who believe in exposing the powers that be for the corruption and lies that have been going on for decades. This movie was obviously made with a lot of heart and love, and I very much enjoyed the call backs to the original with the 1980’s showmanship such as the dancers in the show’s intros with the contestant entering the studio, music and cinematography and still keeping the fun and over the top characters. A great example with the music and nods to the original including featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger on the money, and the wonderful cinematography by Chung Hoon-Chung, capturing the colour and mood and the neon like images and vibe from the 80’s. Director Edgar Wright finds the balance to make this fun, make all the various characters interesting and still keep you engaged in the chase to the prize. This has a good amount of humour showcasing that the film is kinda meta and self-aware in tone which makes it fun and clearly focusing on the gladiatorial battles that took place in the coliseum centuries ago to appease and distract the people.
‘You can put whoever you want in front of me, and I will run through all of them!’ – Ben Richards
MEET THE IMPORTANT PLAYERS IN THE RUNNING MAN (Below):
Dan Killian is the ruthless, enigmatic and charismatic executive producer of ‘The Running Man’ who manipulates the vulnerable situation of Ben Richards to compete on the show, which he believes will give the show its highest ratings ever, but also recognises that Ben has all the capabilities to actually be the first ever winner. This thrills but also scares him, forcing him to stop him winning at all costs, including manipulating the media to make Ben a ruthless villain and fooling the watching audience. Josh Brolin seems to be having an absolute blast in this role, and for such a calculated villain comes across very charming and persuasive, a wonderful contrast to the everyman, rage, and rebellious nature of his nemesis Ben Richards.
“I’ll be honest with you. I can’t just let you win this game.”– Dan Killian
Bobby Thompson as the flamboyant, charismatic host of ‘The Running Man’ showcasing electrifying swagger to the shows national and global audience. He even notices that Ben Richards is unlike any contestant that has ever appeared on the game show, and realises that there will be fireworks. He is Killian’s top host and MC on the network. Colman Domingo brings a swashbuckling panache, swagger and aura to the role that jumps at you off the screen, his chemistry with Josh and Glen are such a pleasure. Colman Domingo doing the running man dance was a highlight on stage.
“Hunt him down!”– Bobby Thompson
Evan McCone is the best of the best, the head hunter on ‘The Running Man.’ He is as cold blooded and cold hearted as they come, elite marksman, weapons, tactician, hand to hand combat there is not anything he cannot do to hunt down and eliminate the runners. Ben Richards proves to be a more formidable foe then he bargained for and a refreshing new challenge for the most experienced and most lethal hunter of them all. Behind McCone’s mask is a man with dark secrets, dark motivations and dark revelations, Lee Pace really emphasises the physical aspect of the character and through the cadence of his voice to convey really well with the audience.
“Do you think surviving for two weeks and change makes you big sh*t?”– Evan McCone
Shelia Richards is Ben’s wife, confidant and backbone who always has his back. She works as a waitress at a sleazy establishment to make ends meet and support her daughter and husband. But when Ben gets fired and her baby daughter Cathy is really unwell, her worst fears come true when Ben signs up to take part in ‘The Running Man.’ She knows he will do anything for his family, especially as he carries anger at injustices he perceives against his family. Jayme brings a nice centered calmness opposite Glen in their interactions as a couple.
“People on that show never come back.”– Sheila Richards
Amelia Williams is a twenty-something middle class woman going about her business until she is unwittingly thrown into the crazy and bonkers world of ‘The Running Man game show, Ben Richards opens her up to a whole world of things people less fortunate in the world then herself are going through, bursting her privileged bubble. Emilia brings a rawness and natural energy to an innocent bystander who was just in the wrong place, at the wrong time.
“I can’t, my powers on empty!” – Amelia Williams
Laughlin is one of the runners that makes it onto the gameshow alongside Ben Richards. Laughlin is eccentric, and loves to have a good time even when getting chased all over the USA by relentless assassins known as Hunters. She will only play this game of survival by her own terms which proves to be a dangerous tactic. Katy O’ Brian brings her natural physicality and athleticism to the role as her diverse roles in different projects continues to grow and she shows different layers as a performer and actor.
“Come on, sh*t happens right?”– Laughlin
Molie Jernigan is a close friend and ally of Ben Richards. The mechanic/electrician helps Ben to leave the city with a new identity when he is on the run. He was going to make Ben a business partner, but it was too late as he had joined ‘The Running Man’ show as a contestant, which was a quite sad turn of events for Molie. He would unfortunately come under the radar of the network and the hunters. William H. Macy brings a levity and all the experience of a grizzly veteran who’s been there and done that with his experiences in character and as an actor with that depth opposite the younger characters.
“Those TV’s don’t watch your back.”– Molie Jernigan
Elton Parrakis is an anarchist, chemist and rebel who wants to help take down this totalitarian state the USA has become, and he sees Ben Richards as the ultimate symbol of a revolution that can stop the government backed network. This network controls the news, narratives and can manipulate stories through AI. Elton is willing to do whatever it takes, even if it means sacrificing himself as the network had his father, a former cop, murdered. One of the highlights is Michael Cera shooting a water gun to the electric charged floor and watching the network soldiers be electrocuted to death. The execution was comical and perfectly timed.
“You know why they cheered for you down there? If you can survive against those goons, then so can they.”- Elton Parrakis
Bradley Throckmorton is a young hacker and tech genius who’s one of many leading a resistance against the lies and corruption of NCG the network. He sees what Ben Richards is fighting for and decides to help him win ‘The Running Man’ with help from his little brother Bradley who is in a similar situation as his younger sister is gravely ill, and needs very expensive medicine because of the network. He knows helping Ben fight could be the change this unbalanced world needs, and Bradley has the skills to help him.
“Hell of a price on your head, how fast can you run Richards?“- Bradley Throckmorton
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