The Running Man (The Running Man) is a 2025 American fantasy action thriller film directed by Edgar Wright from a screenplay by Michael Bacall, Stephen King, and Edgar Wright. The film is set to be released in the United States on November 7, 2025.
The film is a new take on the classic by Stephen King (under the pseudonym Richard Bachman). In this dystopian sci-fi action-adventure, the viewer takes on the role of Ben Richards (Glenn Powell) – a desperate father who joins a deadly reality TV show to save his daughter. The game with his life lasts for 30 days, during which he is hunted by killers while the entire country watches. The film promises a combination of fast-paced action, dark social satire and dark humor – a combination that Wright is a true master at.
Set in the near future, when the United States has fallen into economic and political collapse, the man in the game, Ben Richards, emerges as a friendly, ordinary man who is put on the reality show with the sole purpose of securing life-saving supplies for his daughter. He gradually becomes a symbol of resistance to authority, as the television viewer becomes engrossed in his race for survival and justice.
Edgar Wright revives the tempo from "„Baby Driver“" and "„Hot sticks„"„, adding a grotesque connection between violence and satire. The shots are bright, pulsating with action, but also sinister – perfect for creating a dystopian atmosphere. Richards’ heroic inner flame contrasts with the callous television industry, represented by the broadcast of his public persecution – chimerical and tragic.
„"The Running Man"“ looks like Edgar Wright's boldest adaptation yet - an action thriller with an ideological vein, social criticism and memorable performances. The film is expected to shake up the genre and make the viewer think about the boundaries between entertainment and the value of human life.
