• Action
• Science Fiction
• Thriller

The Running Man 2025

Released in mid-November 2025, director Edgar Wright’s reimagining of The Running Man serves as a gritty, high-octane survival thriller that stays much closer to the source material of the original Stephen King (writing as Richard Bachman) novel than the 1987 Schwarzenegger version. The story is set in a decaying, dystopian United States in the year 2025, where the economy has collapsed and the populace is placated by violent reality television controlled by a totalitarian media entity known as "The Network." The protagonist, Ben Richards, is a desperate, working-class father whose young daughter is dying from a treatable illness he cannot afford to medicate. With no other options, he auditions for the Games Network and is selected for their flagship program, The Running Man. Unlike the arena-based combat of previous adaptations, this version follows the novel’s "world-as-the-stage" premise. Richards is given a 12-hour head start and a small stipend, with the goal of surviving for 30 days while being hunted by an elite team of professional assassins and a public incentivized to report his location for cash rewards. Every day, Richards must record and mail two video tapes to the studio to keep the show’s ratings at record highs. As the hunt progresses across various cities, including New York and Boston, Richards’ grit and defiance turn him into an accidental folk hero, sparking a wave of class consciousness among the impoverished. The climax of the film explores themes of media manipulation and deepfakes, as the Network attempts to manufacture Richards’ "death" or "villainy" to maintain control. Ultimately, Richards exposes the truth with the help of a hostage-turned-ally, Amelia Williams, and survives a spectacular confrontation that leads to the downfall of the Network's leadership. The film's ensemble cast is led by Glen Powell as a grounded and desperate Ben Richards, moving away from the "super-soldier" archetype. Josh Brolin provides a chilling performance as Dan Killian, the suave but ruthless executive producer, while Colman Domingo portrays the flamboyant and manipulative host, Bobby Thompson. The supporting cast features Lee Pace and Katy O’Brian as the lead "Hunters" tasked with the execution, alongside veteran performers such as William H. Macy, Michael Cera, and Emilia Jones in roles that represent the technical manipulators and the oppressed citizens of the dystopian landscape. Directed and co-written by Edgar Wright along with Michael Bacall, the film utilizes a retro-futuristic aesthetic that highlights the disparity between the glossy, AI-enhanced broadcasts of the Network and the gritty reality of the American slums. Regarding its financial performance and availability, The Running Man has had a complex run since its premiere. Produced on a budget of approximately $110 million, the film has grossed roughly $69 million worldwide as of late December 2025, with about $38 million coming from the domestic box office. While these figures suggest a challenging path to profitability in theaters, it has been noted as one of the year's most significant Stephen King adaptations, showing steady "legs" in the weeks following its $16.5 million opening weekend.For those looking to watch from home, the film was released on digital VOD platforms for purchase and rental on December 16, 2025, featuring over 100 minutes of bonus material, including "in-world" commercials and raw "self-tape" submissions from contestants. As a Paramount Pictures production, its exclusive subscription streaming home will be Paramount+, where it is projected to arrive around January 13, 2026, following the studio's standard 60-day theatrical-to-streaming window. Read More

• 2025
• 2 h : 13 min
• 379 views
• 6.421
• R