Edgar Wright’s latest take on the dystopian thriller world delivers a sharp and fast-moving vision that puts Glen Powell firmly at the centre of the chaos. Set in a near-future America ruled by corporate power and engineered entertainment, this new version of The Running Man trades camp for polish while still capturing the unsettling heart of Stephen King’s original story. Powell plays Ben Richards, a worker crushed by a system that punishes dissent and rewards spectacle, forcing him to enter a deadly televised survival contest when he has no other way to protect his family.
Wright preserves the essentials of the source material: a nation glued to a violent broadcast, a studio host who revels in manipulation, and a group of government-certified Hunters whose job is to eliminate contestants before they can reach the end of the 30-day challenge. Colman Domingo brings a sly menace to the role of the on-air personality, while Josh Brolin’s commanding presence shapes the unseen machinery that keeps the show’s power intact. As the chase moves across vast zones filled with rebels and underground networks, the world’s retro-tech atmosphere adds a gritty, analogue tension to the spectacle.
The film’s strongest moments come from Wright’s signature momentum — frantic edits, high-energy sequences and a rhythm that makes the action feel both relentless and immersive. Powell’s performance lands with conviction, giving Richards a physical drive and emotional weight that elevates each confrontation. The film’s satire pulses through scenes of manipulated broadcasts, over-the-top audiences and propaganda that blurs entertainment and control, grounding the story in anxieties that echo our present day.
Yet despite its skill and pace, the film leans more into thrill than introspection. The narrative occasionally drifts, supporting characters feel underexplored, and the story avoids digging deeply into its darker themes — from digital distortion of truth to the collapse of social systems. The finale, while engaging, softens the harsh questions the premise invites. Even so, the film remains a gripping and stylish experience, propelled by Wright’s craft and Powell’s presence, offering a polished dystopian escape that keeps viewers firmly hooked.
