‘The Running Man’: Latest Stephen King Adaptation Opens to Mixed Reactions
Edgar Wright’s 2025 remake of The Running Man has arrived in theaters, bringing a modern take on Stephen King’s 1982 dystopian novel.
The film stars Glen Powell as the lead, with a supporting cast that includes 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 film.
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 movie premiered at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square in London on November 5. It opened in the UK on November 12 and in the US on November 14, distributed by Paramount Pictures. Like the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger version, the new adaptation has received mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 64% score from nearly 200 reviews, while audiences gave it an 82% approval rating.
Critics praised Glen Powell’s performance and his charisma as the lead character, noting that he brings energy and presence to the role. The film’s action sequences were also generally well-received, with many saying they were exciting and well-staged. Some reviewers appreciated Wright’s technical execution and the way the story was structured, describing it as engaging and timely for modern audiences.
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
On the other hand, some critics found the movie uneven. Several mentioned that it struggles to fully balance dark satire and intense action, with supporting characters receiving limited development. Others felt the social commentary about media and surveillance was undercooked, and that the film loses momentum in parts, making it feel less focused than it could have been.
Some said it lacks the strong identity of the original 1987 version, leaving certain themes and ideas only partially explored.
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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