Stephen King’s ‘The Running Man’ Hits Screens With Mixed Reactions
Edgar Wright’s adaptation of Stephen King’s The Running Man has hit theaters, giving audiences a modern take on the 1982 dystopian novel.
The film stars Glen Powell as the main character, 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. Wright co-wrote the screenplay with Michael Bacall and also directed the movie.
Millions Hunt. One Runs. Everyone Watches. Watch the Official Trailer for The Running Man – Only in theatres November 7 pic.twitter.com/j8BNXHzZI8
— The Running Man Movie (@RunningManMovie) July 1, 2025
The film premiered at London’s Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on November 5, and opened in the UK on November 12, followed by the US release on November 14 via Paramount Pictures. Like the 1987 Schwarzenegger adaptation, the new version has received mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 64% approval rating from 196 reviews, while audience ratings on other platforms show higher approval.
Critics generally praised Powell’s performance, noting that he brings energy and charisma to the role. Many also enjoyed the action sequences, which were described as exciting and well-executed. The film’s story and narrative choices were seen as engaging, and some reviewers appreciated Wright’s technical direction.
It’s clear Powell wants to be Cruise or Brad Pitt-level. But what might that look like? The Running Man has the answer, and it’s pretty damn compelling.
Abby Olcese
With a likable protagonist, smart narrative choices, and the kind of flawless technical execution we’ve come to expect from Wright and his team, The Running Man is a gripping and timely adaptation that you should definitely seek out.
Serena Seghedoni
The action scenes are energetically staged, with Powell convincingly making his way through them.
Mike McGranaghan
Glen Powell runs for his life to win a reality TV jackpot in a remake of a dystopian Stephen King thriller that comes on like gangbusters—until it loses steam
Peter Travers
The Running Man falls short of delivering a truly exciting action thriller. Instead, it presents a straightforward underdog story with action sequences sprinkled with random, ineffective jokes.
Rosa Parra
However, not all reviews were positive. Some critics felt the film struggled to fully balance its dystopian satire with action, and supporting characters were seen as underdeveloped. Others pointed out that the movie occasionally loses momentum, with social commentary about media manipulation and surveillance feeling incomplete.
A few reviewers said it lacked the clear identity of the 1987 version, and the humor and action sometimes felt uneven.
Ultimately, Wright’s vision proves too disjointed to fully work as either dark satire or R-rated action, getting a boost from Powell’s charisma and, with everyone else essentially reduced to extended cameos, not much else.
Brian Lowry
The Running Man is just a slog.
Stephanie Zacharek
It sparks to life only for brief periods.
Sam Adams
The Running Man feels like a diluted version of its own ambitions. The 1987 Schwarzenegger adaptation may have been campy as all hell, but I would argue that it had a much stronger sense of identity.
Brent Hankins
There really isn’t much that feels new, and the film’s themes about societal rot resulting from obsessive media consumption now seem almost dated because that’s simply our reality.
James Berardinelli
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