THE RUNNING MAN Is Rich with Powerful Ideas About the Rich and Powerful (Review)

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Look, The Running Man isn’t going to click with every viewer, I get that. It moves at such a breakneck pace, it honestly feels like chunks of the story are just…gone. Plus, it’s a really weird mix of goofy humor, high-octane action, and surprisingly sharp social commentary, and that might feel jarring to some. But honestly, I was completely hooked. Once I got on the movie’s wavelength – and director Edgar Wright definitely has a specific energy – everything just worked. And I mean everything. This film is way more ambitious and layered than the trailers let on, trust me.

While The Running Man is a fun and exciting action movie with a likable lead actor, that’s only the beginning of what makes it special. It’s a surprisingly emotional and thought-provoking film, at its core about a parent’s desperate need to protect their family, and it offers some sharp observations about modern American life.

Edgar Wright’s take on Stephen King’s ‘The Running Man’ doesn’t shy away from the campy fun of the original 1987 film with Arnold Schwarzenegger. While it has its share of over-the-top moments, this new version doesn’t stay there. Instead, it uses those silly bits to emphasize how disturbingly realistic the story actually is.

As a longtime observer, it feels like a small group of incredibly powerful people are really calling all the shots now. They seem to have influence over everything – the police, politicians, what we see on the news, even our favorite shows. It’s like they’ve built a system where some people have everything, and others have almost nothing. What’s really scary is they’re using propaganda – and now even incredibly realistic fake videos created with AI – to keep things that way. They don’t want the people at the bottom to unite and fight back, so they focus on getting us to argue with each other instead of looking at who’s really benefiting from all of this.

The film deliberately blurs the line between the dystopian America of The Running Man and the potential reality of America in 2025. While it might seem overly direct, it avoids feeling preachy thanks to its clever use of comedy, particularly the absurd situations and characters like Michael Cera’s rebel and Daniel Ezra’s online conspiracy theorist. The movie is packed with observations about power and economic inequality in this country, but it delivers these insights through a thrilling and outlandish story about a dangerous game show – a Trojan Horse for sharp political commentary.

I went into The Running Man hoping for a simple, enjoyable action movie, given its over-the-top premise. But it unexpectedly hit me hard – emotionally. Even though I was entertained by Glen Powell’s performance as the incredibly angry Ben Richards, the film left me feeling deeply uneasy. As someone concerned about the world and the future, it was a difficult watch. Yet, despite this, I found myself loving it, which is strange because it shouldn’t have worked, but somehow, it does.

Okay, so this movie really surprised me. It doesn’t bother with a lot of the typical setup or ‘getting there’ scenes – it just jumps right in, and honestly, that’s a huge part of why it works. At just over two hours, it didn’t feel long at all – it’s paced like a runaway train, which really ramps up the stress of the main character’s predicament. Now, it does mean things can feel a little rushed, and maybe characters shift too quickly, or events happen for the sake of plot. But the movie builds such a bizarre and unique world that it actually justifies that speed. The director, Wright, and his co-writer really create a setting where even the most outlandish behavior feels believable, which is a fantastic achievement.

This is most clearly shown by a key character who appears later in the film. The shock of discovering the truth about the world – after being fed lies for so long – causes her to change dramatically and rapidly. This change feels believable and is genuinely hopeful, offering a bright spot in an otherwise dark story.

I was surprised by a lot of what I enjoyed about The Running Man, but some things were exactly what I expected. It’s a thrilling, energetic, and funny film that looks fantastic. It has the visual style and humor you’d expect from an Edgar Wright movie, and it really creates a strong sense of time and place. Even though the premise is a bit crazy, the world feels internally consistent and believable.

The acting is phenomenal, just as I’d hoped. There’s one performance I can’t discuss yet – it’ll make sense when you watch! Josh Brolin is predictably brilliant as Dan Killian, the show’s producer – a charming but ruthless man who cares only about high ratings. Brolin portrays him with a frightening realism, even though he’s a terrible person. Helping Dan boost those ratings is the host, Bobby T., and Colman Domingo plays him with impeccable style and humor.

Both actors effectively highlight Powell’s strong lead performance – a testament to Stephen King’s writing. Powell is in nearly every scene and completely captivates the audience. His character, Ben Richards, is a compelling mix of humor, anger, and resistance, but Powell skillfully portrays the motivations behind his fury. Ben is fundamentally a good person struggling against a corrupt system he can’t fix, and he’s constantly penalized for simply trying to do the right thing.

Beneath the film’s broader political themes and grand ideas, lies a deeply human story. The protagonist isn’t just fighting a system; he’s a father desperate to support his family, and has no other options. This personal struggle keeps the movie relatable, even as the scope of the story expands. The Running Man always remembers the core reason behind Ben’s predicament.

Right from the beginning, there’s a powerfully sad scene that perfectly sets the tone for the story. When Ben tells his wife he’s signed up for a dangerous show he knows will likely kill him, she simply accepts it. The quietness of the moment was incredibly moving. It shows a couple deeply in love, but trapped in a hopeless situation. While it’s awful, it’s understandable why someone might choose to risk their life for money, especially when they feel they have no other options – and they shouldn’t have to make such a choice in the first place.

There’s this scene in the movie, and it’s not flashy or dramatic, just… really sad. And honestly, that’s what makes the movie’s weirdness work so well. It got me thinking, this whole situation is just so messed up and unfair! Why are people living like this? Why are those who are struggling just letting others profit off their pain, turning it into some kind of show? I mean, why would anyone trade real help – food, medicine – for something so pointless? It feels like a modern-day circus, but without even the basic necessities. It’s so ridiculous, it has to be fake, right? Surely the real world wouldn’t stand for this kind of thing! I keep hoping it’s just satire, that’s all.

That’s why The Running Man is so clever. The way the story is told isn’t just for fun; its playful style actually reinforces the film’s important messages.

I really connected with this film and its distinctive approach right away, but I understand it won’t resonate with everyone immediately. It might take a second viewing to fully appreciate its many layers. Once you grasp the film’s core message and its unusual style, you’ll see why it’s such a strong and enjoyable movie.

The Running Man ⭐ (4.5 of 5)

Mikey Walsh writes for TopMob, but he’d probably not last long on The Running Man – he’s usually exhausted! You can find him on Bluesky at @burgermike, and he’s always involved in discussions about ranking the Targaryen kings.

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2025-11-11 22:04