Review: Edgar Wright’s THE RUNNING MAN Is a Wild and Relentlessly Entertaining Ride
I recently had the opportunity to catch an early screening of Edgar Wright’s feature film adaptation of The Running Man, and, you know, it was everything I hoped it would be. Ever since I heard that Wright was tackling this Stephen King story, and bringing Glen Powell along for the ride, I’ve been all in.
The trailers promised something big, kinetic, and totally Wright in its energy, and that’s exactly what it delivered. This movie is stylish, funny, packed with heart, and feels surprisingly relevant to the world we’re living in right now.
Set in a grim near-future, The Running Man centers on Ben Richards (Powell), a desperate working-class guy who signs up for the top-rated TV deathmatch to save his sick daughter. The game? Survive thirty days while being hunted by assassins, with every moment broadcast to a bloodthirsty public.
It’s entertainment gone completely mad, and Wright plays that angle hard. He captures the chaos and absurdity of a world obsessed with watching people’s pain, turning it into a darkly funny and entertaining experience.
Powell completely commands this movie. He’s got that effortless movie-star energy, and his performance gives the film its heart. You can tell he’s been building to a role like this with his charm, heroism, vulnerability, and just dangerous enough to keep things unpredictable.
He’s give solid performance, and by the end, you’re fully rooting for him. The chemistry he shares with Josh Brolin, who plays the manipulative producer Dan Killian, is sharp and loaded with tension. Brolin is great here, leaning into the role’s slick charisma and menace without ever overdoing it.
The supporting cast includes Colman Domingo, who brings his usual gravitas to the table. Then there’s William H. Macy, Lee Pace, and Michael Cera , all of which deliver fun performances. Wright knows how to use his ensemble, and everyone feels locked into his world of satire and spectacle.
Visually, the movie absolutely pops. It’s got Wright’s trademark energy all over it, with some great music choices, and a visual rhythm that keeps you glued to the screen. Some moments feel intentionally campy or rough around the edges, and while that might throw some people off, I think it adds to the charm.
The momentum of the film keeps it moving, and the crowd I saw it with was totally hooked from start to finish. It’s disjointed in places, sure, but it’s also fun as hell—and that counts for a lot.
The Running Man is fun as hell and there’s no doubt it will entertain audiences. It’s sharp, funny, and full of Wright’s personality. It’s flashy, fast, and heartfelt, a wild piece of popcorn cinema that delivers everything it promises.