That's a very timely film! The Running Man (2025) is the newest adaptation of Stephen King's 1982 dystopian novel (originally published under the pseudonym Richard Bachman), which is set in a fictionalized version of the year 2025.
Unlike the 1987 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, this version, directed by Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Baby Driver), is a much closer, darker, and more faithful adaptation of the original book.
| Detail | Information |
| Genre | Dystopian Action Thriller, Satirical Horror |
| Director | Edgar Wright (Baby Driver, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World) |
| Release Date | November 14, 2025 (USA) |
| Starring | Glen Powell (Ben Richards), Josh Brolin (Dan Killian), Colman Domingo (Bobby T.), Lee Pace, Michael Cera |
Plot Summary
The film is set in a near-future dystopian United States suffering from extreme wealth inequality and environmental ruin, where the impoverished populace is kept distracted by violent, hyper-produced reality TV, delivered by "The Network."
Ben Richards (Glen Powell) is a blacklisted, struggling blue-collar worker living in the slums. Desperate to earn money for medicine for his severely ill infant daughter, he signs up for the Network's deadly game shows. His raw anger and physical fitness catch the eye of the show's ruthless producer, Dan Killian (Josh Brolin).
Richards is selected as a contestant, or "Runner," on the country's most popular show, "The Running Man."
The Game: Richards is given a 30-day window to evade capture and survive. He wins a massive cash prize—a billion dollars—if he lasts the full month.
The Hunters: He is hunted by professional assassins, led by the mysterious Evan McCone (Lee Pace), who have unlimited resources.
The Viewers: The twist is that ordinary citizens are also incentivized with cash rewards (and "15 seconds of fame") for spotting, reporting, or even killing the Runner.
Unlike the 1987 film, the game takes place across the entire country, turning every street corner and citizen into a potential threat. As Richards survives longer than anyone expected, he becomes an unlikely working-class hero to the downtrodden, forcing the Network to manipulate the footage and the narrative to maintain control, leading to a relentless and violent confrontation with the entire system.
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