Wright’s stylized remake limps to the finish line
The fifth and final Stephen King adaptation of 2025 is about to hit theaters. After The Monkey in April, The Life of Chuck in June, The Long Walk in September, and the HBO series IT: Welcome to Derry, the list comes to an explosive close with a new adaptation of King’s 1982 thriller The Running Man (originally published under King’s pseudonym, Richard Bachman). The 1987 version of The Running Man starring Arnold Schwarzenegger has become a cult classic, commended for its critical depiction of a dystopian American pop culture-obsessed society, as well as for its campy villains and one-liners. The new film is co-written and directed by Edgar Wright (Baby Driver; Hot Fuzz), and sticks much closer to King’s source material than the 1987 film. The new film has many parts that work, and many parts that don’t. The Running Man’s ultimate success lies in some slick action and standout performances, but an indecipherable tone and confounding editing keep the film from achieving blockbuster greatness. Continue reading “Film Review: “The Running Man””
