“‘Die Hard’ for Our Time”: Stephen King Shares Incredible Review of ‘The Running Man’

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Several successful movies based on his stories have been released recently, and it seems this new film is poised to be another huge hit – the author has already praised it highly.

For the past few years, Stephen King has openly discussed his thoughts on movies and how they’re released – both in theaters and through streaming. He doesn’t just comment on adaptations of his own work; he’s been very critical of some poorly made versions of his stories, while enthusiastically praising others.

With the release of the new trailer for Edgar Wright’s film adaptation of *The Running Man* – originally published in 1982 under Stephen King’s pseudonym, Richard Bachman – King used the opportunity to share the trailer and offer his enthusiastic support. He posted it on his X account, along with the comment:

“BTW: I’ve seen it and it’s fantastic. DIE HARD for our time. A Bipartisan thrill ride.”

Early reviews and trailers for the new *Running Man* are promising. While it’s based on the same story as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s fun, over-the-top 1980s film, this version is quite different, and fans can enjoy both for what they are.

‘The Running Man’ Is a “Timely” Story 40 Years After It Was Written

Many stories feel current when they’re first published, but truly timeless stories continue to resonate with audiences even years later. Stephen King’s *The Running Man* is set in a future 2025 that hasn’t quite arrived, yet, as actor Glen Powell recently pointed out, the story’s depiction of the future still feels strangely unsettling.

As a film buff, I’m genuinely blown away by how relevant this movie has become since we finished it. It’s incredible how Stephen King seemed to predict 2025 – which is *now* – and it’s honestly a little unsettling seeing how closely our current reality mirrors the events in the book. It feels like he saw the future, and it’s playing out right before our eyes.

This movie is pure entertainment – a really fun, escapist experience that audiences will love. But what’s particularly interesting is how it portrays Stephen King’s ability to foresee events, which offers a commentary on current world issues.

Opening in theaters on November 14, 2025, alongside *Now You See Me: Now You Don’t* and just before *Wicked: For Good*, *The Running Man* has the potential to be a successful film. With positive reviews, the popularity of Stephen King’s name, and a focus on adult audiences, it could cap off a fantastic year for adaptations of his work.

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2025-10-14 02:02