First Reactions to ‘The Running Man’ Reveal Enthusiastic Praise

The initial reactions to the upcoming film adaptation of The Running Man are in, and they indicate a promising reception. Directed by Edgar Wright, the movie, which opens in theaters on November 14, 2025, is based on the 1982 novel by Stephen King. The story centers on Ben Richards, played by Glen Powell, who must navigate a perilous game show where he fights for survival against ruthless hunters.

Critics who attended early screenings have largely expressed that the film lives up to the significant hype. Perri Nemiroff from Collider commends the adaptation for being “more faithful” to King’s original work than the 1987 film featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger. She highlights that this film concludes an impressive year of adaptations of King’s works.

Critics Praise Cast and Direction

The film’s direction has garnered considerable acclaim as well. According to Rachel Leishman of The Mary Sue, Wright has “bottled magic” in his approach, crafting what she describes as “an instant classic” that is both “action-packed and emotional.” Jimmy O from JoBlo acknowledges Powell’s performance, noting that while the film features a “vastly different” storyline from its predecessor, it remains a “crowd pleaser.”

WSVN 7News correspondent Kathy Paz emphasizes Powell’s “powerhouse performance,” stating that he effectively portrays Richards as a protagonist worth rooting for. The film has been characterized as “heart-pumping and adrenaline-inducing from start to finish.”

In addition, Andrew Korpan of ClutchPoints points out that Wright has improved upon the source material, effectively trimming weaker elements of the book. He notes that Powell adds a deeper humanity to Richards, enhancing the character’s relatability.

Runtime and Character Dynamics Cause Some Concern

Despite the overall positive feedback, some critics have raised concerns about the film’s runtime and the number of characters. At 2 hours and 13 minutes, the length is manageable in comparison to many modern blockbusters. Nonetheless, there are mentions of a potentially overwhelming cast including Colman Domingo, Josh Brolin, Lee Pace, Jayme Lawson, Michael Cera, William H. Macy, David Zayas, and Katy O’Brian.

While some reviewers felt the pacing remained strong throughout, others noted that the film could feel overlong due to its numerous characters.

The overwhelming enthusiasm from early reactions sets a positive tone leading up to the film’s release. With critical acclaim highlighting both Powell’s performance and Wright’s direction, The Running Man appears poised to resonate strongly with audiences, potentially achieving significant box office success.

As excitement builds, Arnold Schwarzenegger himself has expressed his admiration for the new adaptation, stating that he “was so excited” about it and calling it “incredible.” Such endorsements from a previous star of the franchise further underscore the film’s potential impact in the realm of cinematic adaptations of King’s work.