The Running Man (2025) 4K UHD Review
Stick with the Arnold version.
Based on the Stephen King/Richard Bachman novel “The Running Man,” this new 2025 film scripted by Michael Bacall and Edgar Wright aims to be a more faithful adaptation. Much like the 1987 predecessor, the story revolves around Ben Richards living in a dystopian world in which “The Running Man” is the biggest TV show. Instead of being a cop like in the original, Ben lives in Co-Op City with his wife and daughter and struggles to get by. In order to afford medicine for his daughter, he decides to reluctantly join “The Running Man” even though the odds are stacked against him in this violent show in which hunters try to kill contestants. While trying to avoid being caught, he meets activists, learns that the Network lies about news and events (including circumstances involving Ben), and teams up with a wealthy woman Amelia whose world is turned upside down upon encountering Ben.
Filmmaker Edgar Wright has become a noted auteur whose style and filmography have become cult hits. “The Running Man” never really feels like a Wright movie is frankly an odd project for him. It’s also his worst film. Despite attempting to be more faithful to the novel, 2025’s “The Running Man” never takes off. The pacing is dreadful, the tone varies wildly from self-serious to grim to comedic, and the action set pieces feel entirely generic. A sci-fi action movie should not be this boring. Sure, it covers topical messages about deep fakes, authoritarianism, class, injustice, and reality TV, but the 1987 original film did it better and in a more entertaining fashion.
Perhaps the film’s greatest sin is the colossal waste of talent. Josh Brolin, Colman Domingo, Lee Pace, Emilia Jones, William H. Macy and Katy O’Brian all appear here, but are entirely forgettable. Glen Powell (who is everywhere these days) has been crushing it in films like “Hit Man” and “Top Gun: Maverick,” but he’s miscast here. It feels like Hollywood is trying to force him to be a lead action star, but he just never seems comfortable in the role here. The only actor who gets a fun role here is Michael Cera as the rebel Elton. His scenes are far and away the best part of the entire movie.
Video/Audio:
Presentation: 2.39:1 2160p in Dolby Vision. How does it look? Image noise aside, this is a crisp 4K transfer that will please fans of the film.
Audio Track: Dolby Atmos. How does it sound? The Atmos track is as lively and explosive as you hope it will be (especially during action scenes).
Extras:
* Blu-ray copy
* Digital copy
* Commentary by Edgar Wright, Glen Powell and writer Michael Bacall
* 11 minutes of deleted and extended scenes
* 3 theatrical trailers and 3 digital spots
* 5 “The Running Man” commercials from the film
* “The Hunt Begins” is about this adaptation and the vision of the future.
* “The Hunters And The Hunted” revolves around the characters and cast.
* “Welcome To The Running Man: Designing The World”- A featurette on the world building.
* “Surivivng The Game: Shooting The Running Man” covers location shooting, stunts, directorial style, and more.
* “The Running Man Show”- Additional footage from the show in the film.
* “The Runners- Self Tapes”- Contestant tapes
* “Other Network Shows”- Clips from other shows in this universe.
* “The Apostle”- The 2 shorts the character makes.
* “Stunts Compilation”- Self-explanatory
* “Hair, Make-Up And Costume Test”
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