9 Biggest Differences Between The Running Man And The Original Stephen King Book

Be warned: this contains spoilers for The Running Man. The movie The Running Man differs significantly from the original story by Stephen King, who published it under the name Richard Bachman. While the story had been adapted before, the 2025 version directed by Edgar Wright stays much closer to the source material. The original novella was one of King’s most biting social commentaries.

While the movie version of The Running Man follows the same basic storyline as the book, there are some significant changes. From how supporting characters behave to what ultimately happens to the main characters, here’s a look at the biggest differences between the film and the original novel.

Ben Richards Is A Nicer Guy In The Cinematic Version Of The Running Man

Paramount Pictures /Courtesy Everett Collection

As a big fan of The Running Man, I’ve noticed something interesting about the 2025 movie adaptation. They really softened Ben Richards’ character compared to the book! In the film, he’s portrayed as much more of a hero – a genuinely good guy who’s willing to put himself on the line for others. It’s a big change, because the book version was a lot rougher around the edges. They made him a thoughtful and dedicated person, which makes him way more likable, honestly.

This differs significantly from how the character is portrayed in the original book. While Richards wasn’t inherently malicious, he was much more abrasive and flawed. He frequently displayed racist and sexist behavior towards those he met, and his insults stemmed more from personal frustration than any moral outrage.

This revision portrays Ben Richards as a more straightforward and likable hero, making him easier for audiences to support. It also modernizes the character, updating him for today’s world compared to the original version from 1982. This change ultimately allows Richards to become a more recognizable and powerful symbol.

Ben Richards Is Less Lethal In Edgar Wright’s The Running Man

A key element in making Ben Richards a hero in The Running Man is that he consistently chooses not to kill, even when fighting for his survival. He spares his opponents repeatedly, only resorting to killing the Hunters as a last resort, and even then, it’s something he comes to reluctantly.

However, the book version of events differs. Richards’ highest kill count happens when he’s attacked on the East Coast and detonates a bomb in a YMCA, intentionally killing five officers. In the new movie, the explosion is an accident – the officers shoot at Richards, and he’s wrongly blamed for the resulting blast.

Just as the character’s personality is adjusted, Richards appears more heroic because he’s shown as someone who doesn’t want to kill. He even spares one of his pursuers at first, only resorting to violence when he’s trying to get away.

Sheila Isn’t A Sex Worker in The New Running Man Movie

In The Running Man, Richards becomes increasingly angry at claims made by the television network and the public that his wife, Shelia, is a sex worker. While she does mention that some of her colleagues at work supplement their income by providing sexual favors to customers, she herself never engages in that behavior.

It really bothers me when people criticize this part of the story, because honestly, it’s much more powerful in the book. Sheila actually tells Richards she’s been working as a sex worker to support their daughter, and it’s a really difficult but important moment. The movie understandably toned things down for a wider audience, but the book doesn’t shy away from the harsher realities, and I think that makes it more impactful.

Ben Richards Has Nightmares About Different Friends Being Tortured

In the beginning of Edgar Wright’s take on The Running Man, Ben Richards has a disturbing dream where his associate, Molie Jernigan, is tortured by McCone and his team while they’re trying to find him. He later mentions this dream to McCone, and McCone’s reaction implies they actually did question Molie.

So, the movie takes its cues from the book, but they’ve made a few changes. In the original story, the really disturbing nightmare sequence centers around Bradley Throckmorton – he’s this Boston guy who helps Richards get away. Both in the book and the film, though, the core of the nightmare is the same: Richards keeps picturing Bradley getting seriously hurt and, under duress, being forced to give up secrets.

As a film buff, I’ve noticed something interesting when comparing the book and the movie. Molie’s job is consistent across both, but in the film, his relationship with Richards and his family feels much warmer and more genuine. The book hints at him liking Sheila, but honestly, he’s noticeably friendlier to Ben in the movie version than he is in the book – it’s a real difference in how that character is portrayed.

The Derry Reference Is Different Between The Movie And The Book

Both the novel and the film adaptation of The Running Man mention Derry, a town frequently used in Stephen King’s stories. However, the way each version connects to Derry is different. In the book, Derry is where Ben Richards finally finds an airport and requests a personal airplane.

The movie takes place in Derry, where Elton Perrakis lives with his mother. Elton shares that his family has deep roots in the town, and that his father, who is now deceased, was killed because he wouldn’t pledge allegiance to the Corporation.

The town of Derry in the film adaptation of The Running Man looks very different from how it’s described in Stephen King’s novels. Even the surrounding forests, frequently featured in King’s books like It, have been destroyed by a powerful corporation and are being built over with new houses in the movie.

Elton Perrakis Is Way Different In The Running Man Book And Movie

Elton Perrakis helps Ben in both the book and movie versions of The Running Man, but the movie version of the character is much stronger. In the book, Elton is out of shape and can’t fight. While he does hide Richards, he’s not able to offer much practical assistance.

Unlike the book, the film portrays Elton as a tougher, more confrontational character. He’s driven to seek revenge on the company responsible for his father’s death and, instead of his mother, he’s the one who ultimately contacts the police.

The film portrays a desire for the character to fight with Richards, highlighting the movie’s stronger focus on revolutionary themes – aspects that were less prominent in the book. In fact, the movie even shows Elton dying alongside Richards, further emphasizing this point.

The Motivation Behind McCone Is Different In Both Versions

In both versions of The Running Man, McCone leads the Hunters. However, the details of his past are quite different depending on the story. In the original book, McCone is portrayed as a wealthy hunter who gradually reveals himself to be less skilled than he appears.

Interestingly, the villain from the book isn’t present for much of the story and only faces off against Richards at the very end. The movie version, however, is a much more active and consistent threat. He fights Richards several times, is responsible for Elton’s death, and nearly kills Richards himself.

The movie adds a surprising layer to McCone’s backstory, showing he used to be a competitor on The Running Man before joining the company and becoming a Hunter leader. This creates a strong contrast with Richards, who receives a similar job offer by the film’s end.

Ben Richards Actually Loses His Family In The Stephen King Novel

A particularly grim part of both versions of The Running Man involves what happens to Ben Richards’ family. In the final scenes of both films, he learns his wife and daughter have been killed. However, the details surrounding their deaths, and even whether the information is true, aren’t the same in each version.

The events described in the book confirm Killian’s story. Shortly after Richards became a target, he and another person were unexpectedly attacked and killed during a home invasion. This shocking act of violence even surprised Killian, and it pushes the grieving Richards close to agreeing to become the next lead Hunter.

During the film, Killian admits that McCone’s team murdered Ben’s family in revenge for a previous loss. He does this to fuel Ben’s desire to eliminate the other Hunters, which Ben successfully does. However, it later comes out that Killian lied about their deaths, and Ben is happily reunited with his family.

Ben Richards’ Final Fate Is Different

The movie and book versions of The Running Man have notably different conclusions. In the novel, Ben Richards, while injured, intentionally crashes the plane he’s in into the FreeVee building, resulting in the deaths of Killian and many others inside.

The movie portrays events differently. In it, Killian controls the plane from a distance and directs it toward his own building, hoping to use the crash as a cover for killing Richards. However, the plane is shot down over the city and never actually reaches the building.

You know, the slightly different ending really connects with the big reveal – when everyone finds the black box after the crash. Once they hear the actual conversation between Richards and Killian, the public completely loses trust in the government. And the best part? We find out Ben actually did survive, ejected safely in the cockpit! It’s a great twist that makes the whole climax even more impactful.

The Public Uprising Is More Overt In The Cinematic Running Man

Credit: MovieStillsDB

These changes all contribute to the major difference in how The Running Man ends. While the book says Richards motivated people to rebel against the government, the movie only shows brief, minor signs of uprising. It’s less about a full-blown revolution and more of a suggestion of what might happen later.

This is quite different from the powerful and widespread rebellion seen at the end of the film. In the climax, the resistance, ultimately led by Ben, destroys FreeVee and defeats Killian, concluding the story. This gives the film a classic hero’s journey and contributes to the downfall of the oppressive government.

2025-11-15 05:43