The Running Man Rotten Tomatoes Score Revealed

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Edgar Wright’s remake of The Running Man is finally out, and the Rotten Tomatoes score is in.

With 70 critic reviews, the film sits at 61%, just barely fresh.

This makes it a little more popular than the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger film, which received a 59% rating from critics and a 61% rating from audiences.

The new film adaptation of Stephen King’s novel is getting a lot of attention for being more true to the source material, and features a strong performance from Glen Powell as an action hero. However, reviews are very divided. Some critics praise the film’s blend of satire and excitement, while others feel it lacks a unique style, struggles towards the end, and doesn’t quite capture the powerful feeling of the book.

Here’s what the reviews say.

What the Reviews Say

With a score of 61% based on 70 reviews, The Running Man is similar to the original film: it’s likely to be controversial, but still enjoyable, and offers enough visual flair and social commentary to spark discussion.

Powell is receiving a lot of positive attention, and Wright’s work still shows glimpses of his signature style that fans love. However, similar to the original movie, this new version seems likely to divide opinions among both reviewers and viewers.

The Positive

Many critics believe Wright successfully gave audiences the kind of high-energy action they were hoping for, highlighting the impressive visuals, fast-moving plot, and a strong performance by Powell.

The movie’s fast pace is so exciting that it easily overcomes any issues with believability, according to RogerEbert.com.

Okay, so I just saw it, and honestly, it held up incredibly well against the original 1980s film – but it’s a totally different experience. It’s much more visually stunning and the pace is relentless, almost a bit much at times. Ultimately, it works as a movie, but I suspect Edgar Wright fans, used to his particular style, might find it a little…different than what they’re expecting.

According to Cinerama Film, this remake is a rare improvement over the original, delivering thrills, surprises, and genuine entertainment. They highlight the energetic performance by Powell and the film’s powerful social and political messages as key reasons why it keeps you captivated.

ComingSoon.net says this fast-paced action movie is a blast to watch, especially thanks to Powell’s performance and the director’s energetic style – it’s exactly what action fans will love.

According to Den of Geek, the impact of the film’s ending determines whether The Running Man is simply an enjoyable action movie or a chilling depiction of how media can be used for oppressive control.

The Negative

Other critics say the remake is loud, messy, and lacking the edge that made the story resonate.

According to Culture Mix, “The Running Man” falters towards the end with predictable action sequences. The film focuses too much on the main character, played by Glen Powell, and doesn’t develop the other characters enough, while also making uninspired changes to the original story.

Okay, so revisiting this film now, decades after its release, is a bit of a letdown. What probably felt groundbreaking and forward-thinking back in ’82 just feels… well, expected in 2025. The cast is talented, that much is clear, but they’re stuck with characters that aren’t really fleshed out, and the film’s attempts at social commentary just don’t land with any real impact. It’s not sharp or insightful; it’s surprisingly bland.

Edgar Wright’s latest film is a whirlwind of style and sound, but ultimately feels unsatisfying. While energetic and visually impressive, it lacks substance, becoming repetitive and losing its excitement quickly, according to a review in The Jam Report.

The film’s dark and bleak setting strongly resembles the atmosphere in Stephen King’s stories, but the overall feeling doesn’t quite match. The director excels at creating feel-good moments, and that optimistic style clashes with the sadness and seriousness of King’s original work.

I recently watched this adaptation of Stephen King’s book, and it really stuck to the source material. It reminded me of those old ‘American Gladiators’ shows, but with a ‘Most Dangerous Game’ vibe. Honestly, though, after seeing who we’ve elected as president – twice! – the whole premise doesn’t feel quite as shocking or outlandish as it probably did when it first came out. It feels a little…dated, knowing what we now know about our culture.

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2025-11-12 03:32