Director Edgar Wright has brought back to life the sci-fi thriller satire classic from 1987, starring Glen Powell in the lead role of Ben, an honest and hardworking man living in a dystopian US ruled by a powerful corporation. The film is a fun update of Stephen King's original 1982 novel "The Running Man," written under his pseudonym Richard Bachman.
Wright ramps up the pace with some high-octane chase sequences that are full of energy, while also delivering some memorable pop culture references, including Spencer Davis Group's iconic song "Keep on Running." The film also features a punk aesthetic, reflecting the anti-establishment values of the underground rebels who produce protest zines.
Powell shines as Ben, an everyman character driven to desperation by his circumstances. His wife Sheila (Jayme Lawson) faces exploitation at her job in the club where she works, a situation that King's novel handles more explicitly. In a last-ditch effort to save their daughter's life, Ben signs up for a top-rated reality TV show called The Running Man, which promises a billion dollars to anyone who can survive 30 days on the run.
However, things quickly take a turn for the worse as Ben realizes that the show's producers will stop at nothing to manipulate him and make it impossible for him to escape. Wright skillfully milks this tension to create an uncomfortable sense of unease, particularly in his use of AI-generated videos to fabricate evidence against Ben.
The film raises some thought-provoking questions about the ethics of reality TV shows and our reliance on technology to shape public opinion. While it doesn't fully address these issues, Wright's direction remains confident and engaging, making The Running Man a fun and watchable ride that fans of sci-fi satire will appreciate.
Wright ramps up the pace with some high-octane chase sequences that are full of energy, while also delivering some memorable pop culture references, including Spencer Davis Group's iconic song "Keep on Running." The film also features a punk aesthetic, reflecting the anti-establishment values of the underground rebels who produce protest zines.
Powell shines as Ben, an everyman character driven to desperation by his circumstances. His wife Sheila (Jayme Lawson) faces exploitation at her job in the club where she works, a situation that King's novel handles more explicitly. In a last-ditch effort to save their daughter's life, Ben signs up for a top-rated reality TV show called The Running Man, which promises a billion dollars to anyone who can survive 30 days on the run.
However, things quickly take a turn for the worse as Ben realizes that the show's producers will stop at nothing to manipulate him and make it impossible for him to escape. Wright skillfully milks this tension to create an uncomfortable sense of unease, particularly in his use of AI-generated videos to fabricate evidence against Ben.
The film raises some thought-provoking questions about the ethics of reality TV shows and our reliance on technology to shape public opinion. While it doesn't fully address these issues, Wright's direction remains confident and engaging, making The Running Man a fun and watchable ride that fans of sci-fi satire will appreciate.
edgar wright did an amazing job updating this classic novel for a modern audience, the action scenes are insane 
and the pop culture references are so on point 
glen powell shines as ben, he's such a relatable everyman character. but what i love most is how it tackles the ethics of reality tv shows and our reliance on tech to shape opinions 
it may not fully address these issues, but it's definitely a thought-provoking ride that'll keep u on the edge of ur seat 
I love how Glen Powell brings Ben to life, making him an everyman character that audiences can root for. The punk aesthetic is also a sick addition, adding to the film's rebellious vibe 
What really gets me is how it raises questions about our reliance on technology and public opinion 
Wright might not have fully addressed all the issues, but I'm still stoked to see this film come to life.
, like that Spencer Davis Group song - had me singing along on the dance floor 
. Wright didn't shy away from showing Ben's desperation and the consequences of playing with fire when it comes to technology.
. also, the pop culture references feel kinda forced 
edgar wright is such a genius director he totally brought back the 80s vibe but made it fresh at the same time 
glen powell as ben is amazing i loved how he portrayed the character's desperation 
and that song "keep on running" by spencer davies group is still so iconic 
Glen Powell shines as Ben, an everyman character that's easy to root for. And, I gotta love the punk aesthetic and memorable pop culture references - it's like a blast from the past! 
! Director Edgar Wright did an awesome job of updating the classic 1987 thriller with Glen Powell in the lead role 
Spencer Davis Group's "Keep on Running" was a great touch! But what really caught my attention was how it tackled real issues like exploitation in the workplace and the ethics of reality TV shows 
. Not perfect, but I'd definitely recommend it to fans of sci-fi satire 
. The film's themes about technology and public opinion are definitely food for thought - we're living in a time where social media can make or break someone's reputation, after all 
Still, Wright does a great job of bringing the whole thing together, and those chase scenes are wild! The use of AI-generated videos is also super creepy - it's like we're already living in that world. 
. I'm also super stoked they're highlighting the importance of the underground rebels who aren't afraid to speak their minds 
. Glen Powell as Ben? Forget about it, he totally nails that everyman vibe! 
. Glen Powell is absolutely perfect as Ben, he's like the everyman hero we can root for 
. But what really got me thinking was how the show highlights our reliance on tech to shape public opinion 
. And let's be real, AI-generated videos are already a thing... it's not that far-fetched to imagine a world where they're used to manipulate public opinion 
. And Jayme Lawson shines as his wife, adding an extra layer of tension to the story 
. Overall, I'd give this movie 8/10 - it's a wild ride that'll keep you guessing until the very end 
.
80s-themed movies have seen a resurgence in popularity over the past few years, with films like "Stranger Things" and "Ready Player One" breaking box office records 
Ben is literally running away from his problems 
it's like, "Who's real and who's not?" 
. And Glen Powell as Ben? 
that'll keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end