With the mammoth task of remaking a classic action film, director Edgar Wright faced no easy feat.
Critics have mixed opinions on the movie ‘Running Man’. Some are praising Glen Powell and comparing him to Tom Cruise, suggesting he could be the next big action star, while others are unsure if he has what it takes to carry a film as the main lead.
Initial reviews of the movie ranged from two to five stars. It will be released in theaters on November 14th.
The show ‘Running Man’ is set in a future where a dangerous game unfolds on television: criminals, known as ‘runners,’ are hunted by skilled killers, and Glen plays the role of Ben Richards.
Originally released in 1987, Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s film was adapted from a Stephen King novel. Despite initially receiving mixed reviews and only moderate box office numbers, it has since become a cult classic.
Based on initial reviews, the new version of the film doesn’t seem to be as good as the original.
Chief film critic of The Telegraph Robbie Collin gave the film a five star review.
He pointed out that since Glen Powell gained popularity in Top Gun: Maverick, Hollywood seems to be intentionally presenting him as the next Tom Cruise.
However, it’s difficult to imagine a better way to showcase his abilities than by casting him in ‘The Running Man.’ This new adaptation of Stephen King’s 1982 novel is fast-paced, visually striking, and incredibly challenging, both physically and technically, revolving around a reality TV show where the consequences are deadly.
This movie has a similar energy to Tom Cruise’s action films like Minority Report and Collateral – it’s a thrilling, fast-paced spectacle that feels relevant to today’s world without sacrificing its over-the-top excitement.
The Hollywood Reporter questioned whether Glen had the charisma to lead the movie and criticized the story as lacking substance.
David Rooney notes that Edgar Wright’s new version of the 1987 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger is packed with action but ultimately lacks substance. He also questions whether Glen Powell has what it takes to be a major leading actor.
This new version, written by Edgar Wright and Michael Bacall, stays much closer to the original story compared to the previous adaptation.
Wright’s films often shine with humor and a rebellious spirit, but these qualities feel out of place when paired with the serious issues the movie tackles – like the gap between rich and poor, lack of healthcare, and unfair policing. The film is strangely both quick-paced and slow, thrilling at times and strangely dull at others.
The critic added while he was invested for a while, he ultimately felt ‘worn down’.
According to The Independent, Edgar has lost his signature touch with storytelling, and they gave the film a poor rating of only two stars.
Edgar Wright first became known for clever spoofs of popular movie genres, like ‘Shaun of the Dead’ and ‘Hot Fuzz.’ However, he’s recently started making more mainstream Hollywood films, and, according to Clarisse Loughrey, this has diminished his ability to perfectly balance humor and seriousness.
Let’s talk about the previous adaptation of this story! Back in 1987, they took a swing at it, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. Honestly, it wasn’t the most refined take – a little over-the-top, even – but it did manage to capture the story’s satirical edge, in a rather… bold way. It wasn’t subtle, but it had a certain energy!
In this adaptation, Wright mostly follows the original story, but any strong emotional impact has been softened with smooth transitions and playful humor.
The film scored marginally better with The Guardian, who awarded the remake three stars.
Peter Bradshaw praised the film’s energetic action, rebellious style, and upbeat music, noting that Edgar Wright successfully returned to the source material from Stephen King’s 1982 novel and created an enjoyable experience.
The movie is consistently enjoyable and entertaining, but it doesn’t quite deliver the intended scares. The ending feels rushed and doesn’t provide a satisfying conclusion.
‘Yet there’s plenty of enjoyment to be had.’
The story follows Ben Richards, portrayed by Glen, who enters the hit TV show, The Running Man, because he’s desperate to earn money for his daughter’s medical care.
The longer a player lasts in the game, the more money they earn, and Richards will soon uncover the show’s hidden truths and the manipulative people behind the scenes.
Edgar first became involved with the project in 2021, revealing it was a film he’d always wanted to remake.
John Brolin, William H Macy and Edgar’s Scott Pilgrim lead Michael Cera are also in the cast.
Glen recently told IndieWire he’ll be filming ‘The Running Man’ this fall, expressing his excitement about the project.
‘We’ve been going back and forth on script stuff, and it’s so fun.’
‘The world that Edgar’s developed on this thing is just outrageous. It’s so good.
We both really love the Stephen King book the movie is based on, and the character is going to be fantastic. I’m incredibly excited about it.
The Running Man premieres in cinemas on November 14.
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2025-11-12 05:04