The Running Man Has Screened, And The First Reactions For The Glen Powell-Led Movie Delve Into How It ‘Bottled Magic With Stephen King’s Novel’

Look, I enjoy the Arnold Schwarzenegger version of The Running Man as much as the next person, but let’s be honest, it barely feels like a Stephen King story! Now, after almost 40 years, we’re finally getting a new movie based on King’s original 1982 novel, and I’m really excited about it. Glen Powell is taking on the role of Ben Richards, and it sounds like Edgar Wright is doing the source material justice. The movie doesn’t hit theaters until next year, but the first reactions are starting to come in, and people are already talking about how much more faithful this adaptation is.

As a huge fan of classic sci-fi, I always loved The Running Man. The movie throws you into a bleak, near-future world where Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character, Ben Richards, is desperate enough to participate in a twisted TV show of the same name. The premise is simple but terrifying: he agrees to be hunted by professional killers for a month, and if he survives, he gets a big payout. I remember reading a review by Rachel Leishman from The Mary Sue, and she really praised the way director Paul Michael Glaser and Arnold worked together – it clearly showed on screen!

I absolutely loved ‘The Running Man’! It delivered everything I hoped for and exceeded my expectations. The movie is full of action, surprisingly emotional, and a perfect showcase for Glen Powell’s talent. Edgar Wright did an incredible job adapting Stephen King’s story – it truly feels like an instant classic! Simply put, it’s fantastic.

JimmytotheO at JoBlo enjoyed The Running Man, especially how it differed from the earlier version. He did feel, however, that the movie was a little long and featured a somewhat large cast.

Glen Powell shines in Running Man, further demonstrating his acting talent. Director Edgar Wright delivers an action film that’s a departure from typical Schwarzenegger-style movies, and while it’s effective, the movie feels a little lengthy and has a somewhat crowded cast. Based on the audience reaction at the screening, it’s still a very entertaining film.

Collider’s Perri Nemiroff praised Edgar Wright’s new film as a very true adaptation of The Running Man, while also feeling distinctly like a classic Edgar Wright movie. She described it as exciting and energetic, but also surprisingly relatable, making the story stick with you long after you’ve seen it. Nemiroff highlighted Glen Powell as ideal for the lead role, and also had positive things to say about his co-star, Jayme Lawson.

Beyond Arnold Schwarzenegger’s performance, The Running Man boasts a fantastic supporting cast. I especially want to highlight Jayme Lawson. I really enjoy the movie’s energetic chaos, but Ben Richards’ struggle to survive truly connects with the audience because of how well Schwarzenegger and Lawson establish his reasons for fighting, and they do it perfectly.

Jayme Lawson stars as Sheila Richards, the wife of the main character, Ben. The film also features a strong cast including Josh Brolin, Colman Domingo, Lee Pace, Michael Cera, Emilia Jones, and William H. Macy. Drew Taylor of The Wrap is a fan of The Running Man and recently shared positive feedback about the upcoming movie.

Edgar Wright’s ‘The Running Man’ is fantastic! It’s packed with impressive action sequences, blending sharp satire reminiscent of Paul Verhoeven’s work with clever social observations and genuinely thrilling moments. Plus, Glen Powell delivers a standout performance as a relatable guy taken to his absolute limit. Don’t miss this one – go see it now!

A few celebrities also shared positive feedback about The Running Man. For example, Patton Oswalt posted the following after watching it:

I’m so excited for everyone to see THE RUNNING MAN! It’s a really fast-paced, incredibly fun, and mind-blowing movie! I even had the chance to meet Walter Hill, a screenwriter I hugely admire, at the afterparty. Big thanks to @edgarwright.bsky.social!

Then there’s Simon Pegg, who had the below text accompanying a picture he posted of himself next to Edgar Wright and Nick Frost, his collaborators on the Cornetto Trilogy:

Had an amazing time at the premiere of Edgar’s new movie, The Running Man, with these two special guys! The film was a wild ride – truly gripping, exciting, and full of emotion. It’s Edgar’s best work yet, and I’m so incredibly proud of him. ❤️

Early reactions to The Running Man suggest it’s an enjoyable movie, and importantly, it stays much closer to Stephen King’s original story. Stephen King himself liked it, describing it as a thrilling ride everyone can enjoy. You can see it in theaters starting Friday, November 14th.

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2025-11-06 03:09