21-12-2025 2 min to read

Film Review: The Running Man (2025)

A slick update that doesn’t quite outrun the original

🎬 The Running Man (2025) Review

The Running Man (2025), directed by Edgar Wright and starring Glen Powell, is a high-energy, visually striking remake of the earlier action classic. While I’m not sure it compares completely with the original maybe that’s just sentimentality talking the special effects and cinematography are certainly an upgrade in this version, and it made for an enjoyable watch all the same.

In this near-future dystopia, working class Ben Richards is thrust into a brutal televised contest where survival becomes both spectacle and propaganda. Powell carries the role with charm and grit, bringing star power and physicality to a performance that helps anchor what can otherwise feel like a hectic and sprawling story.

📊 What Others Are Saying

Critics’ responses are mixed but often positive.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film currently sits around a 64% critics score, with reviewers noting that while it doesn’t quite hit the inventive heights you might expect from Wright, it delivers slick pacing and energetic action.

Some outlets praise the vision behind the remake:

• Variety suggests Wright’s version is a more polished if somewhat familiar take on the concept than previous adaptations, and likens Glen Powell’s charisma to a modern action hero vibe.

Others have been more critical of the execution:

• A handful of reviews point to uneven pacing, a third act that feels rushed, and moments where political or social commentary outweighs narrative satisfaction.
• Some audience reactions on social platforms echo that sentiment, saying the action is fun but certain beats particularly in the ending

At the same time, many viewers appreciate the film for what it is: a fast paced, visually engaging spectacle ideal if you’re in the mood for action and futurist dystopia without expecting deep philosophical invention.

🎥 Final Thoughts

I’d sum this up as a worthy reimagining that never quite eclipses the original, but does enough right especially in style, effects, and performances to be worth your time. It’s enjoyable, energetic, and often fun, even if it doesn’t linger in the mind with the same charm or thematic sharpness that made the first film a cult favourite.

🍿 Score: 6/10