‘The Running Man’ Is a Fun, Fast-Paced Ride With an Unfortunate Stumble

The pairing of director Edgar Wright telling a story from Stephen King is beyond exciting. One is known for electric, pulse-pounding films full of heart, humor, and action. The other is responsible for crafting the most provocative and terrifying stories of a generation. So, with The Running Man, it’s no surprise that so much about it works so well. What is a surprise is when, and how, it doesn’t.

Based on the 1982 novel by King, which was adapted by Wright and writer Michael Bacall, this version of The Running Man is almost completely different from the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger film we know and love. Wright’s version adheres much closer to the novel, which follows a man named Ben Richards (Glen Powell) as he joins a deadly gameshow in hopes of getting money to help his family. That game show, the titular Running Man, sees Richards and other contestants set out into the world, where they must survive for 30 days, as long as they can avoid the eyes of literally every human on the planet and a group of trained assassins.

Since this is an Edgar Wright film, it should be no surprise that The Running Man is wildly propulsive. It takes a few beats to lock in, but once it gets going, it never stops, and it’s quite a ride. As Ben goes from city to city and location to location, the whole dynamic of the film changes again and again. Each big action set piece has its own feel and a unique, innovative take. Wright never does the same thing twice, and within the confines of this go-anywhere, do-anything game show, he finds many ways to have fun and push boundaries.

Powell is fantastic in the lead role. Charming and exciting, but also driven and filled with rage about his situation. There’s a perfect balance in there of movie star quality with a relatable, emotional undercurrent that makes you cheer for him. He’s then joined by a stunning supporting cast that includes Colman Domingo, Katy O’Brian, Josh Brolin, Michael Cera, and several others. Each gives the film another level of energy and excitement when they are on screen, adding to the experience.

Because the whole movie is basically a game show, Wright and his team are forced to spend a good amount of time explaining and following a ton of complex rules. For example, every day Ben has to film a video confessional and send it to the producers in the mail. There are also rules about how the cash prizes add up, how regular people can participate, and more. For the most part, these are handled well and fit into the overall drive of the movie. But, at times, they can hold things back or get a little confusing.

Thankfully, for most of the movie, you don’t care simply because it’s so much fun watching Powell in this epic game of cat and mouse. It’s packed with tension and suspense. You never quite know who he can trust, when the Hunters (led by Lee Pace) will show up, or what could possibly happen next.

That pace (and Lee Pace) makes The Running Man incredibly entertaining for almost all of its runtime. However, once the film gets toward the end, things take a turn, both for the characters and the film. First, things sort of grind to a halt. Then, we get to the big finale, and a film that’s been so straightforward gets incredibly cheeky with its plot. That’s then followed by the film basically acknowledging those issues with a very speedy, awkward wrap-up that leaves you feeling largely unsatisfied. Up to that point, the movie has been a ton of fun, but it hits a brick wall and almost everything about it suffers.

It’s a complete shock, especially when you add on just how well The Running Man works thematically. Though it’s not set in a specific year, King originally wrote the book to take place in 2025, so we will all recognize themes about greedy corporations, power-hungry executives, and the need to fight back against an evil, oppressive system. The kindness of strangers and the joy of helping others are also crucial throughlines. All of which unfolds in an expertly crafted movie from top to bottom, with stunning sets, exciting editing, cool music, and more. So much about the movie works. That’s why you assume it’s going to cross the finish line the same way. It does not.

And so we’re left with a dilemma. Does a disappointing ending negate all the fun stuff that’s happened before? I think, after sitting with it, I ended up liking The Running Man more than I didn’t. The ending not working as well as the rest of the movie definitely undercuts some of the goodwill it created, but also, everything else is so much fun that it’s partially forgivable. Plus, you get the sense that once you know how it ends, you won’t care as much on subsequent viewings. It’s a joy to watch this cast, this story, and this craftsmanship, all from such a fantastic filmmaker. You just wish it came together in a way that fully lives up to that promise.

The Running Man opens on November 14.

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