Edgar Wright is perhaps best known for his Cornetto trilogy — Shaun of the Dead (2004), Hot Fuzz (2007) and The World’s End (2013). An English filmmaker with an array of films in his roster spanning many genres. While they tend to be horror or dramatic, his latest film feels a bit out of the box for him. Though he has created enjoyable kinetic films in the past, something about The Running Man (2025) feels different. You can still feel the passion he has for cinema and storytelling wrapped up into the whole production.
The Running Man was created by Stephen King with his 1982 novel. There is always something new to be seen in any adaptation. The 1987 film The Running Man was the book’s first adaptation, but Wright’s version promises to be more faithful to the original source material. For those who have yet to read King’s novel, we may never know. But there is hope for fans of the novel that the new film provides something more. In his endeavours, Wright takes King’s novel and creates something we can all relate to.
In a society near to our future, working-class father Ben Richards (Glen Powell) is desperate to save his sick daughter. While he has been blacklisted from all of the Network’s main employers, his wife Sheila (Jayme Lawson) begs him not to do anything silly. Yet, The Running Man competition is the most top-rated show on television. It is the show where the winner can make the most money compared to all other programs. Ben knows it is a death wish, but when he goes to the training facility for all of the shows, he might not have the choice.
Plenty of other shows take place on the Network, but The Running Man is the darkest and deadliest of them all. Three contestants must survive 30 days running from the hunters as the public watches and reports them too. During his training he meets the show’s tactical producer, Dan Killian (Josh Brolin). Killian is a beast and all too easily convinces Ben to join the show. He sees a spark in Ben that he has not seen since The Running Man’s first season. Ben proves to be all the more defiant that the Network would expect, and his instincts are all too sharp. Ratings begin to skyrocket, as does the danger. But in the end, Ben must not only outwit the Hunters, but the nation addicted to watching him be hunted.
“Remember Richards, you’re the initiator.”
If you know his films, then you know Edgar Wright and his passion for the craft. His filmmaking style follows the elements but involves a lot of passion and pride in the creative process. The Running Man remake proves just the same. There is no shortage of Wright felt throughout. Even though the genre spans from what we are used to seeing from him, what the viewer sees is truly worth it. He reminds audiences that one person contains all the power in the world to make a change.
Not only does Wright bring his key filmmaker’s eye to the project, he also brings a knowledge for casting. The Running Man has a cast that allows the film to excel with talent. The names also bring viewers in solely because of star status. With the buzz surrounding Glen Powell choosing him for this newest blockbuster could not have made more sense. Alongside Powell, Brolin, Colman Domingo, Michael Cera, William H. Macy, Sean Hayes, Emilia Jones, Lee Pace, and even Katy O’Brian are also involved in Wright’s action-packed The Running Man. In their perspective roles, these stars bring what audiences would expect. Not only are you able to have fun watching Ben Richards compete for his life, but you get to enjoy each actor’s specific quirks and qualities that make them loveable all around.
As Ben races against time and the Hunters, the stakes are raised. This blockbuster epic does not fall short of tension and suspense. From high speed chases to blowing up elevators, Ben has everything thrown at him and still manages to survive. His wit and intelligence are just what Killian expected from him. How far will he fall into what feels like the trap Killian has laid before him?
You wonder if Wright became all too British in his telling of The Running Man. As the film takes place in near-future America, so much satire is thrown in. It feels like it has become a mockery of the country. Those who are fans of the Network television programs are basically members of a cult. The country is formed of those who have the money to live good lives, and those who do not. Sometimes additional elements in what could be a simple action film are overwhelming for the viewer. However, in The Running Man, Wright has found a way to combine the elements and make something truly enjoyable.
Instead of falling into the trope of a simple action film, Wright is not afraid to let the audience laugh. Laughter and empathy through family is there to bring the audience all that much closer to Ben. Allowing us to relate to Ben’s motives more creates further interest and investment in his final outcome.
The film truly feels unlike past Edgar Wright films. The Running Man is another addition of blockbuster entertainment. It becomes, however, more than just a film with its typical action elements. By including comedy, empathy and an array of characters, Wright has made something enjoyable and relatable. He even subtly drops hints as to how Ben Richards may be relatable to someone in the near future. One person could change the world for the better, or at least change the world.
The Running Man is set to hit cinemas worldwide beginning Friday November 14th, 2025. Some UK cinemas, however, will have preview dates beginning November 11th. If you liked the original film, or are a massive Stephen King fan, please do not pass up the opportunity to enjoy Edgar Wright’s rendition on the big screen.
