Edgar Wright’s “The Running Man,” bursts onto the screen with bold confidence and a clear sense of purpose, a wild, chaotic thriller that is impossible to take your eyes off of. Inspired by Stephen King’s original story and the 1987 Schwarzenegger movie, it is also infused with current anxieties about media and inequality. What comes out of it all is a chaotic, intense and surprisingly emotional movie.

This 2025 version follows Ben Richards (Glen Powell), a regular guy whose life has fallen apart. Instead of being an ex-police officer framed for a crime, like in the 1987 movie, Richards volunteers into the “Running Man” game show out of desperation to save his sick daughter by winning the prize money from the game. This makes Richards a sympathetic and relatable character; rather than a character who is purely trying to be a hero, he just needs to survive. Powell plays Ben Richards very well, with the perfect amount of vulnerability and panic from the character to make you feel like you’re with him throughout the story.

Once Richards enters the game show, the movie turns into a nonstop chase. It is pure chaos with drones, armed hunters and random citizens all hunting him down for reward money. Wright went for an almost overwhelming style for this movie, compared to his usual comedic action movies. The type that keeps the viewer from getting too comfortable. It makes the viewer feel exhausted and stressed, because that is exactly what Richards is going through in the movie. This style definitely might be a little too much for some people, but is pretty appropriate for a movie about a man being hunted on live television.

When comparing this version to the original 1987 movie, it is crazy to see how different the same story can be portrayed. The Schwarzenegger movie is a pretty standard example of the peak ‘80s. It is filled with crazy villains, goofy one-liners, ridiculous costumes and an overall tone that’s more like a cartoon dystopia. On the other hand, the 2025 version lacks this silliness and is darker and more realistic. Instead of flashy “stalkers,” the people hunting Richards are private military contractors or other desperate civilians looking for reward money. The show was designed in a way that almost makes it feel a little too believable. Instead of just being a big action movie, it also asks the more serious question of “how far are humans willing to go if the situation is dire?”

The movie wasn’t perfect though. Due to the intense pacing, some ideas and characters didn’t really get the time in the movie that they deserved. The movie explores themes such as poverty, propaganda and how entertainment can blur basic morality, but those ideas would sometimes get shoved aside for more action scenes. A few characters that seemed like they were going to be important later on in the story never really developed, such as Amelia Williams (Emilia Jones) and Molie Jernigan (William H. Macey), who both got minimal screen time after being introduced. Additionally, some of the more emotional scenes went by faster than I think they should have. Wright tries to balance meaning with a blockbuster display. Although it was a good effort, it did not come out as well as it could have.

Still, the movie shines in some of the more personal moments. There is one scene where Richards relies on other ordinary people who are also struggling in this dystopian society for shelter and helpful information that keeps him alive. These scenes show how desperate the world has become, not in a flashy and science fiction way, but in an uncomfortably believable one. This pushes the viewer to question what they would do in these situations, and that’s where the movie is the most powerful. All of this is very different from the vibe of the 1987 original, where everything was exaggerated and comic-book-like. Here, all of the danger and moral choices feel very real.

Visually, the movie is dark and constantly changing. Wright does not go for perfectly choreographed fight scenes. Instead, everything is arranged in a very messy and physical way, a lot more like actual survival, rather than polished action. This realistic design makes the whole ordeal much more intense. By the end of the movie, you can feel the profound emotional weight that has culminated throughout the story. This ending, compared to Schwarzenegger’s triumphant and cheerful one, is far more unsettling—focusing more on the cost of staying alive, rather than purely on the feeling of victory.

Ultimately, “The Running Man,” isn’t flawless, but it stands out because it tries to deliver a message while still being wild and entertaining. It does not attempt to recreate the fun, loud vibe of the original 1987 movie. Instead, it asks tougher questions and brings the audience into a world that feels a lot closer to reality than comfortable. It leaves viewers a little shaken and reflecting on the movie, which is something an action movie should be proud of accomplishing.

If you want a nostalgic throwback or a polished action blockbuster, then this movie probably isn’t your best choice. But if you’re ready for an intense, thrilling and sometimes overwhelming film that pulls you into a dystopian world for a wild journey, then “The Running Man,” is the perfect movie for you.