Carl Roberts 
“Edgar Wright’s version of The Running Man is a delight. Glen Powell excels as Ben Richards in an almost faithful adaptation of the novel.”
Hunt. Him. Down! The new version of The Running Man is sprinting into cinemas this week. This latest version, starring Glen Powell as the main character Ben Richards, is directed by Edgar Wright. He also co-wrote the script with Michael Bacall. Again, it is based on the 1982 novel by Stephen King (written under his pseudonym Richard Bachman). The movie blows the 1987 version —an Arnold Schwarzenegger vehicle that bore little resemblance to the novel —out of the water. However, Edgar Wright can’t help but tinker with the premise. This robs us of the definitive version of King’s book.
However, with some knowing winks at the audience, some nods at the original movie (including having Schwarzenegger appear as the President on the film’s banknotes in a hilarious pictorial cameo), and spirited performances from the cast, including William H. Macy, Lee Pace, Michael Cera, Emilia Jones, Daniel Ezra, Jayme Lawson, Colman Domingo, and Josh Brolin, the film has enough legs to make a decent run at the November box office.
PREMISE
In a near-future society, The Running Man is the top-rated show on television—a deadly competition where contestants, known as Runners, must survive 30 days while being hunted by professional assassins. With every move broadcast to a bloodthirsty public, each day brings a greater cash reward. Desperate to save his sick daughter, working-class Ben Richards (Glen Powell) is convinced by the show’s charming but ruthless producer, Dan Killian (Josh Brolin), to enter the game as a last resort. However, Ben’s defiance, instincts, and grit turn him into an unexpected fan favourite. He becomes a threat to the entire system. As ratings skyrocket, so does the danger. Ben must outwit not just the Hunters but a nation addicted to watching him fall.
THOUGHTS
The film is an almost faithful adaptation of the novel. Almost. Fans of the original book will spot the differences immediately. And once again, the main difference is glaring, almost spoiling the two hours that have preceded it. However, although fans will be grinding their teeth at this change, it shouldn’t distract from what the film contains. Eagle-eyed fans will instantly spot the name of the store that Ben Richards passes during his grace period before the hunt begins (I admit, I did chuckle), while they and the audience will enjoy what they have been given. Forget Sub-Zero, Dynamo, Buzzsaw, Fireball, and Captain Freedom — here we have the proper hunters, led by Lee Pace as Evan McCone. And they are brutal, just as they should be.
The film also manages to be topical and relevant. The audience will notice the themes that permeate the film as things we are currently experiencing in the real world. The dystopian future from the book, expertly replicated here, suddenly doesn’t seem so far-fetched. Instead, it feels as if we are experiencing some, not all, of the events in today’s society. It manages to retain a satirical edge to events, but they also seem darker than they should. Instead of being a futuristic tale, it feels all too close to home. Using A.I to manipulate images and footage is something we experience in our everyday lives, bringing the story threateningly close to reality. Of course, we aren’t participating in barbaric game shows for cash that will probably end in our deaths on TV. At least, not yet.
GLEN POWELL
Glen Powell is the perfect choice to play Ben Richards. Fans of the book will instantly see the traits and darkness hidden inside the character. Instead of being a hero to cheer for, as in the Schwarzenegger version, here, Richards isn’t so likeable. His reasons for participating in The Running Man game show remain the same as in the novel. But Richards here is more of an anti-hero, someone we can’t really connect with. Of course, his desire to get the money to pay for his child’s medication is admirable. But the lengths he will go to get them are violent, bloodthirsty, and not in keeping with a regular man who does them in desperation. Instead, they come across as sadistic at times. This plays into the narrative of someone who has had it with an unfair system, with being held down and won’t take it anymore.
Glen Powell does enough to make us cheer Richards on. With his natural charm, his cheeky grin and comedic timing, Powell seems as if he was destined to play the character. The ease with which he handles the action scenes and the quieter, more emotional moments before unleashing brutal violence splendidly contrasts with the comedic moments he has. Powell has charisma in abundance, portraying Richards as a loving husband and father with a temper that makes us wary of him at times. His version of the King character is perfect, just as fans of the novel will attest to. Powell firmly cements his status as a terrific leading man here, embracing the material and delivering a flawed but great action hero to remember.
SUPPORTING CAST
The supporting cast all play their roles well, despite many of them having short screentime. William H. Macy, Michael Cera, Emilia Jones, Daniel Ezra, and Jayme Lawson all fit into the narrative in their assigned roles. Of all of these, the meatier roles go to Michael Cera as Elton Parrakis, a rebel who helps Ben, and Emilia Jones as Amelia Williams, a civilian taken hostage by Ben. Fans of the novel will be thrilled to see Amelia finally appear in an adaptation. Sadly, a lot of the dialogue and story between Richards and Amelia has been removed from the film. Some of it is justifiably so (fans will remember Richards’ desire to do things to Amelia in a fit of anger in his own mind), but removing some characterisation that would make the relationship between her and Richards that much more rewarding. However, these are minor quibbles.
Katy O’Brian as Laughlin appears to be having a whale of a time with her role. The actress plays the character, gender swapped from the previous version, with glee. In any movie, she would take the lead and run with it, stealing the film from under everyone else. But this isn’t about Laughlin. Instead, the character appears for about twenty minutes, then disappears again before her eventual fate is revealed. While we enjoy her spirited performance, we can’t help but want to see more of her in the film. Martin Herlihy as Jansky, a fellow runner, gets short shrift. He appears on screen, and we immediately know he is doomed. We are proven correct when, within minutes of the grace period ending, Jansky is executed on the street.
COLMAN DOMINGO
Colman Domingo as Bobby “Bobby T” Thompson, the host of The Running Man show, chews the scenery throughout. This is almost a pantomime performance from the actor, making us want to laugh at him one minute and boo him the next. Domingo’s performance is superbly comedic at times. He sinks his teeth into the role with gusto. In fact, we find ourselves hoping that Bobby T may come to life in an entertainment show of his own on prime-time TV for real. Domingo is a revelation here, displaying a side to his acting we rarely see. His comedic timing is entirely on point, making him a memorable character.
JOSH BROLIN
Josh Brolin as Dan Killian, the show’s producer, also gives a superb performance. To be honest, you could see Brolin twirling an imaginary moustache. It really is that kind of villainous performance from the actor here. Killian is completely unlikable, slimy, self-serving, manipulative and a constant liar. A slave to the network, Killian will do anything and everything to get what he wants. More concerned with ratings than his competitors’ lives, Killian is more interested in Richards than Jansky or Laughlin. To him, they are disposable, just meat for the grinder. However, Richards interests him. He sees Richards as someone he can use in more ways than one, especially moving forward if he survives the thirty days of The Running Man.
Brolin portrays Killian as a sadistic television executive. This version of the character is far removed from Richard Dawson’s over-the-top game-show-host persona in the 1987 version. This version is cunning, without morals, and lethal to everyone in his orbit —not just the runners. Killian will throw anyone he needs to under the bus to get what he wants, even if that means cold-blooded murder of his own people. Brolin relishes the chance to play someone this morally devoid of any semblance of morality or compassion. He isn’t the bottom of the barrel-he’s completely underneath it. Brolin is excellent as the villain of the piece.
VERDICT
Edgar Wright’s version of The Running Man is a delight. Glen Powell excels as Ben Richards in an almost faithful adaptation of the novel. The changes don’t add much to the proceedings, but apart from one major change from the book, they don’t detract from the enjoyment on show here. The novel’s main crux remains intact, and the situations we expect are finally realised on screen. The characters themselves, criminally absent from the 1987 version, make their debuts here to significant effect, expanding the world Stephen King created in his book. All in all, the film is pretty close to the definitive version we have long been crying out for.
It takes the opportunity to satirise television brilliantly, something the first version missed. It missed the chance to put a few well-aimed kicks into the commercialism that appears during every ad break, something this new movie puts right. Edgar Wright has proved he was the right person to remake, reinvent, and reboot the property. With brilliant direction, superb and catchy writing, excellent performances, and its tongue firmly pressed into its cheek, The Running Man is the perfect Friday night popcorn movie. Put on your running shoes and sprint down to your local cinema to catch the film this weekend. Hunt. It. Down.
The Running Man opens in UK cinemas on Wednesday and in the United States on Friday, courtesy of Paramount Pictures.
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
