‘The Running Man’: Latest Stephen King Adaptation Opens to Mixed Reactions

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Edgar Wright’s new film, The Running Man, is now playing in theaters. It’s a fresh adaptation of Stephen King’s 1982 novel about a frightening future.

Glen Powell leads the cast of the film, supported by William H. Macy, Lee Pace, Michael Cera, Emilia Jones, Daniel Ezra, Jayme Lawson, Katy O’Brian, Sean Hayes, Colman Domingo, and Josh Brolin. Edgar Wright both directed and co-wrote the script with Michael Bacall.

A thrilling chase is on! In theaters November 7th, see ‘The Running Man’ – where millions are hunting, one person is running for their life, and the whole world is watching.

— The Running Man Movie (@RunningManMovie) July 1, 2025

The film first showed in London on November 5th at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square. It then became available in the UK on November 12th and in the US on November 14th, with Paramount Pictures handling distribution. Similar to the 1987 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, critics have given the new version a mixed response. Rotten Tomatoes reports a 64% score based on almost 200 reviews, but viewers seem to enjoy it more, giving it an 82% approval rating.

Glen Powell received high praise for his energetic and charismatic performance as the main character. The movie’s action scenes were also a hit, with viewers finding them thrilling and well-done. Several critics also complimented the director’s skillful filmmaking and the story’s engaging and relevant themes for today’s audiences.

It’s obvious Powell aspires to be a major action star, like Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt. And a recent film, The Running Man, offers a surprisingly good idea of how he could achieve that level of success.

Abby Olcese

The Running Man is a compelling and relevant film, expertly made with a charismatic lead character and a clever story. It’s a must-see, showcasing the high quality we’ve come to expect from director Wright and his crew.

Serena Seghedoni

The action scenes are energetically staged, with Powell convincingly making his way through them.

Mike McGranaghan

Glen Powell stars in a remake of a thrilling Stephen King story, where he competes in a dangerous reality TV show for a big cash prize. The movie starts strong, but unfortunately, its energy fades as it goes on.

Peter Travers

The Running Man isn’t a particularly thrilling action movie. It’s a simple story about an underdog, and while it has action scenes, they’re mixed with jokes that don’t really land.

Rosa Parra

However, not everyone loved the movie. Some critics thought it was inconsistent, struggling to blend its satirical humor with the action sequences. They also pointed out that the supporting characters weren’t developed enough. A few felt the film’s message about the media and surveillance wasn’t fully explored, and that it occasionally lost its pacing, making it feel less sharp and focused than it could have been.

Some critics feel it doesn’t capture the spirit of the 1987 original, and that certain ideas aren’t fully developed.

Despite Wright’s ambitious ideas, the movie doesn’t quite succeed as either a biting satire or a thrilling action film. It mostly relies on Powell’s strong presence, and the other actors have relatively small roles.

Brian Lowry

The Running Man is just a slog.

Stephanie Zacharek

It sparks to life only for brief periods.

Sam Adams

The new ‘Running Man’ doesn’t quite live up to what it was trying to be. While the 1987 film starring Schwarzenegger was definitely over-the-top, it felt much more distinct and memorable.

Brent Hankins

The film doesn’t offer much that feels fresh, and its warnings about how media overuse can damage society now seem a bit old-fashioned, simply because those problems are so common now.

James Berardinelli

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2025-11-15 14:15