Is The Running Man Worth Watching? Our Glen Powell Review

This The Running Man review starts with a simple question: can Edgar Wright turn a dystopian chase into something sharp and fresh? Glen Powell stars as a desperate dad thrown into a televised death game, and the film delivers solid action and plenty of charm. It just doesn't always deliver the bite its premise promises.

The Running Man Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

Ben Richards (Glen Powell) is a working-class man with a sick daughter and no way to pay for her medicine. Out of options, he lets the show's slick producer talk him into entering The Running Man, a deadly competition game. The rules are brutal: stay alive for 30 days while hired Hunters chase you and ordinary viewers are encouraged to report your location.

The film's plot follows the source material's idea of a rigged system, but Ben isn't a typical action hero. His defiance and instincts make him an unexpected fan favorite, and that turns him into a threat to the whole machine. As ratings skyrocket, so does the danger.

That setup is lean and effective. It gets Ben into the game quickly and gives the audience a clear emotional reason to root for him.

What Works in The Running Man

The biggest asset is Glen Powell. He plays Ben as a decent, gym-fit everyman rather than a gruff killing machine, and his charisma holds the film together even when the script wobbles.

• Action set pieces: The chases and escapes are well staged and easy to follow, which suits an action film built around constant movement.

• Pace of the premise: The cat-and-mouse structure keeps things moving, and the stakes are always clear.

• Big ideas: The film takes aim at media addiction, corporate cruelty and a public that enjoys watching someone fall. Those themes are relevant, even if they aren't always sharply handled.

Edgar Wright brings energy and a sense of showmanship to the staging. As an adventure on the run, it's often fun to watch.

The Running Man Cast and Performances

The Running Man cast is strong on paper. Powell leads, and several critics single him out as the reason the film works as an efficient star vehicle.

• Glen Powell as Ben Richards: likeable, determined and believable as an ordinary man pushed too far.

• Josh Brolin as Dan Killian: his sheer presence is memorable, though the character is thinly written and has limited screen time.

• Colman Domingo as Bobby T.

• Lee Pace as Evan McCone.

• William H. Macy as Molie.

• Michael Cera as Elton Perrakis.

The supporting names bring welcome texture, but the film doesn't always give them enough to do. Some characters feel closer to caricatures than people, which limits the emotional weight.

Where The Running Man Stumbles

At 133 minutes, the film feels long. The structure becomes repetitive, with Ben escaping one threat only for another to appear, and the momentum fades in the middle stretch.

The satire is another weak point. The film often spells out its messages instead of trusting the audience, which blunts its edge. Some viewers will also find the ending unsatisfying and the characters thin.

It also invites comparison with the 1988 film, which was leaner and condensed a longer story into a tighter package. This version aims to be closer to Stephen King's original novel, but that doesn't automatically make it better. Audience reaction has been mixed rather than hostile, with a TMDB score of 6.7/10.

Is The Running Man Worth Watching?

Yes, if you want a competent, star-driven action thriller and don't need a sharp satire. Is The Running Man worth watching on the big screen or at home? It's an entertaining evening, though not a game-changer.

Powell's performance and the film's solid action are good reasons to give it a go. The disappointment comes from what it could have been, given Wright's talent and the strength of the idea. Go in expecting a fun chase rather than a classic, and you'll likely have a good time.

The film arrived on 11 November 2025, and is rated R. If you enjoy dystopian stories, you may also like our look at Predator: Wastelands, another film about hunters and prey. For more, browse our thriller reviews.

Who Will Enjoy The Running Man

• Fans of Glen Powell who want to see him carry a big action film.

• Viewers who like dystopian chase stories and game-show-of-death premises.

• Audiences who want a brisk, loud night out and don't mind light satire.