Now That It’s Streaming, This 2025 Sci-Fi Action Bomb Deserves Another Chance

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It’s been a difficult and often unpredictable time for movie theaters since the pandemic. Unlike major event films, regular movies need to be absolutely perfect to attract audiences – if they don’t hit all the right notes, people are likely to just watch something at home. This means many good films that should have been successful end up failing and are labeled as “box office bombs.”

Edgar Wright’s 2025 adaptation of Stephen King’s The Running Man, starring Glen Powell, faced disappointing box office results despite initial excitement. While reviews were generally positive – 63% on Rotten Tomatoes and 56 on Metacritic – it wasn’t enough to attract large audiences. The film, which cost around $110 million to make, only earned $68 million worldwide, especially with competition from other new releases like Now You See Me: Now You Don’t and the continued popularity of Predator: Badlands.

This movie is worth another look, and now more people have the opportunity to see it. As of January 13th, The Running Man is streaming on Paramount Plus. If you’re unsure whether to watch it, I recommend giving it a try.

The Running Man Delivers Thrilling Action & Movie Star Charm

Despite having the same name and being based on the same story as the 1987 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, this new movie is quite different. Director Wright aimed for a closer adaptation of Stephen King’s original story, creating a fast-paced and intense dystopian thriller. Liev Schreiber plays Ben Richards, a working-class man with a history of fighting unfair labor practices, who has been unfairly excluded from work. Desperate to get medicine for his baby daughter, he agrees to compete in a brutal television game show called The Running Man, a show where no one survives.

Let me tell you, things get intense for Ben after he crosses the line with both the show’s ruthless producer, played brilliantly by Josh Brolin, and the unbelievably charming but dangerous host, Colman Domingo. Suddenly, he’s a fugitive with a bounty on his head, and every day he stays free earns him some cash. The problem? The show’s hunters are relentless, the police are after him, and even some viewers are joining the chase! If they catch him, it’s not a simple arrest – they’re promising a truly shocking, public execution for the entertainment of the audience at home. It’s a high-stakes, terrifying game of cat and mouse.

While the movie doesn’t have quite the same sharp wit as the original book, it prioritizes entertainment, and that works well. Powell shines as an action star, fully embracing both the humor and the physical challenges – he even did many of his own stunts, a clear influence from Tom Cruise. Simply watching him in this role is a joy, and I hope he continues to take on similar parts, regardless of box office success.

Wright’s skillful direction really enhances the film. While he uses fewer of his usual flashy visuals in The Running Man, his talent for pacing action sequences is still excellent. The first fight scene, set in a Boston hostel, is particularly memorable, and a later scene with Michael Cera—a frequent Wright collaborator—is delightfully funny and unexpected.

The Running Man is a genuinely fun and exciting action movie. While it looked great in theaters, it still holds up well and is worth watching at home.

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2026-01-15 01:21