Glen Powell may be the lead, but Colman Domingo and Michael Cera run away with Edgar Wright's uneven adaptation of The Running Man.
The Running Man Review
Published in 1982 and set in the year 2025 (crazy right?), Stephen King's The Running Man told a story about a future where America had devolved into a totalitarian hellscape. The only thing that kept the masses from rioting against their wealthy oppressors was the Network's showcase of various deadly game shows. These spectacles, like the gladiator games in Ancient Rome, were aimed at keeping the people satiated and angry at their fellow citizens. I always think it's fascinating when real life overtakes the dystopian worlds created in the past. It's hard not to look at this film and rather than think this is a terrifying possibility simply shrug, because at this point it's almost like a normal Tuesday. The massive divide between the haves and have-nots, being surveilled no matter where you go, and of course easily generated AI videos that serve as propaganda for whatever the powers that be want you to believe.
This story has already been seen on the big screen once before, back in 1987. Paul Michael Glaser’s film starred Arnold Schwarzenegger as the young father in desperate need of money. That movie was set in 2017 presenting a more brutal, nihilistic society than its modern counterpart. It also drew a line between the deadly game show and the crowd's passion for violence. Its social critiques weren't the strongest but they did carry enough heft to at least be noticeable amongst the 80s action-flick craziness happening on the screen. Wright's version is far less bleak, despite being closer to the source material than the 87 version. That's not too surprising, given that Wright is adept at satire – one of my favorite examples is Shaun of the Dead. This new Running Man is uneven at times as it tries to find a balance between the direness and violence of King's novel with the dark humor Wright does so well. In the end it's an entertaining enough popcorn flick, a semi-satirical action-thriller bolstered by the supporting cast's performances. Unfortunately, its biting commentary lacks teeth, making the message ultimately forgettable.
Blacklisted from every major job company, Ben Richards (Powell) is desperate for money. He wants to get his wife (Jayme Lawson) and his sick daughter out of the slums for good. In order to do that he tries out for the many reality shows the Network offers, landing himself on the deadliest of all– The Running Man. He is reluctant at first but the Network head, Dan Killian (Josh Brolin), promises him all the riches he could want, he just needs Richards to be his star. Surprise, he agrees. Three contestants are released on the streets with some New Dollars to spend. In order to win the challenge they must stay alive for 30 days while being chased by hunters, led by Evan McCone (a wasted Lee Pace), and under the threat of being sold out by the public for a reward. Naturally, 2/3 are killed, leaving Richards to somehow outrun death.
Wright’s script, co-written with Michael Bacall, does little to change the medium to which King invented to convey his message about society. That insistence on sticking close to the source material makes aspects of this film appear outdated. After all, no one is beholden to their TV's anymore, but the cesspool that is social media is as prevalent as ever. If the story had leaned into the simmering rage that is our constant companion, the film would've been better off for it. But the people they show are too poor to have a phone so it's pirated YouTube videos and printed magazines for the win. Although it's supposed to be set in a near-distant future, by design it feels like an 80s film with some 2020s flair. I will say the emphasis on how gullible the populace is when it comes to AI videos was intriguing and again something I wish they had dug deeper into but it is at odds with the old fashioned-ness of Killian's show.
Despite the lack of depth, the action was entertaining and the supporting cast's performances were fun to watch, keeping me invested until the end. To be clear I didn't really care about what happened to Richards (even though I knew what would-ish, I've read the book and seen the original film). But I was happy to be along for the ride as long as it meant seeing Domingo and Cera pop up to add some much needed flair to the proceedings. These two stole the whole movie for me, with Cera doing his best Kevin McCallister has grown up to be an anarchist cosplay. His section of the film could best be described as a rated R Home Alone where the damage to the Wet Bandits is more realistic. Domingo is the effervescent host of The Running Man, Bobby Thompson. He is larger than life, a man with the flair for the dramatic and Domingo is excellent in all aspects here. His line to Killian at the end of the film made me laugh out loud. I need the direct quote so I can use it in the future.
Powell is fine as Richards and I didn't write that as fine, I mean he was ok. He could've been replaced by another in-shape actor and the movie wouldn't have changed. His bond with his family wasn't really believable and honestly it needed to be in order to sell the more emotional parts of this film. Daniel Ezra does well with what little time we see him as Bradley Throckmorton, a guy with a YouTube channel who speaks the truth to the masses. Emilia Jones is relegated to the role of “white girl ally,” which is unfortunate given her talent. Her character is meant to shift the tone into something more serious and akin to King's writing but it feels awkward. And as mentioned above, Pace is entirely wasted in this film. Although as a Marvel fan I laughed when Thanos told Ronin what to do… again.
Verdict
Ultimately, The Running Man is an entertaining enough popcorn flick, a semi-satirical action-thriller that is fun enough to watch but lacks the satirical bite that it needs to get its message across. King's story centered around the idea of truth and the media's role in shaping it, what mass consumption can do to your mind, as well as the unequal distribution of wealth are things that are as relevant today as they were then. Wright tries to toe the line between getting that across to the audience while equally entertaining them. Unfortunately, it doesn't land as solidly as he would've liked, making the whole endeavor feel uneven. Still, Domingo and Cera are worth the price of admission and I look forward to seeing edits of Bobby T's fabulousness on my FYP soon.
The Running Man is in theaters November 15. It is rated R for strong violence, some gore and language with a runtime of 133 minutes
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