Stephen King set his dystopian novel about a deadly game show in 2025. The Running Man’s apt release doesn’t feel that far off the mark anymore.
In spite of working some very dangerous jobs, Ben Richards (Glen Powell) was fortunate enough to become a dad. However, he’s blacklisted for speaking the truth too often and they barely get by on his wife’s waitressing wages. After days of being unable to treat his sick daughter, Ben decides to try-out for one of the round-the-clock, cash prize game shows. Unfortunately, The Network’s head, Dan Killian (Josh Brolin), sees a prime candidate for their most popular reality series, “The Running Man,” which has a zero-survival rate.
This is a far more loyal adaptation than the 1987 film of the same name, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, which just used the game show concept. No one would be surprised to learn co-writer and director Edgar Wright’s adaptation of the 1982 novel is less bleak and more hopeful than its source. More importantly, the original kamikaze ending didn’t age well, so a change was inevitable. The film includes all the book’s major plot moments, while cutting out most of the sexist, racist and crass sentiments that pervade the desolate novel. The change makes Ben a more likeable underdog who’s angry, but trying to rise above his circumstances.
Powell is an ideal everyman-turned-hero. By being an inherently nice guy, Ben is able to take the moral high ground, even when people are dying. In spite of his limited screen time, Colman Domingo excels as the loud and magnetic game show host. He knows exactly how to push the audience’s buttons to transform them into a bloodthirsty mob. On the other hand, Brolin the embodiment of the evil, oppressive corporation.
While it would still be interesting to see a more faithful adaptation, this more optimistic version of the story is a crowd-pleaser.
Director: Edgar Wright
Starring: Glen Powell, Josh Brolin and Colman Domingo
