The Running Man Sprints Hard, Falls Short

The Running Man

★ ★ ½

The Running Man isn’t exactly a remake of the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger film; it’s aiming to be a closer rendition of the Stephen King novel. When it was first published, King used the pseudonym Richard Bachman to see if his new works would resonate apart from his famous name. The Running Man is set in a dystopian future under ironclad government rule with a populace controlled by television networks. The current trend is live game shows in which the stakes involve severe injury or death.

Ben Richards (Glen Powell) is a working man, who struggles to make ends meet for his wife and infant daughter. Ben is a whistleblower, calling out wrongdoings to ensure a safe work environment for his crew. He’s done this one too many times and has been blacklisted—unhireable by any company. His wife Sheila (Jayme Lawson) works as a waitress at a strip club, and they barely get by on her modest wage and tips. Their daughter Catherine (Alyssa Benn, Sienna Benn) is gravely ill, and as the film kicks off, won’t survive the next 24 hours without $50 worth of medication—an impossible sum for them.

Glen Powell as Ben Richards
© 2025 Paramount Pictures

Ben tries out for one of the “safer” game shows to win some quick cash. He’s given a psych evaluation that reveals his propensity for anger and aggression. This catches the attention of TV network mogul Dan Killian (Josh Brolin). Dan convinces Ben that he has a shot at winning The Running Man, a competition where game-show hitmen hunt a contestant through the city. If a contestant survives 30 days, they become a billionaire. Every contestant so far has died in the show.

Ben is also offered several hundred dollars as a signing bonus, to be delivered to his family immediately. His family will also be put under protection by network security to ensure their safety. Ben agrees, and the hunt is on.

Colman Domingo as Bobby T
© 2025 Paramount Pictures

The concept of hunting another human for sport isn’t new, Richard Connell’s classic short story The Most Dangerous Game popularized the idea in pop culture. Films like First Blood, Hard Target and even Predator share the same theme.

This film is a closer adaptation of The Running Man than the 1987 counterpart. There, we’re treated to bloody, almost cartoonish violence and jab-you-in-the-ribs Schwarzenegger one-liners. Here, the story is taken more seriously, abandoning the comedic action for grit and futuristic warfare.

Michael Cera as Elton Perrakis
© 2025 Paramount Pictures

Powell is engaging, energetic and charismatic. His portrayal of Ben makes him a likable character, even if anger management would do him good (if he survives the game show, of course). It’s easy to sympathize with him—a man trying to save his daughter and provide for his family with the deck stacked against him.

Had the film stuck to this narrative, it would be a formidable action film—arguably much better than the 1980s predecessor. But it loses steam when it tries to switch into a deeper political territory, more interested in making a statement than telling a story. This commentary lacks depth—given only surface treatment—yet the film keeps leaning hard into it. The more it does, the more droning the statement becomes.

Lee Pace as Evan McCone
© 2025 Paramount Pictures

The film sprints, stumbles, finds its footing and repeats the process until the credits roll, leaving a disjointed narrative. Despite this, there’s enough good action to keep you munching your popcorn until the bucket is empty. It’s Powell who keeps this adventure interesting, possibly saving the film in the process. This film hunts, occasionally finds its target—hitting the mark just enough times to keep us from running for the doors—but just barely.