The Running Man, a dystopian action thriller based on Stephen King's novel and directed by Edgar Wright, is now streaming on Paramount Plus. The film, which hit cinemas in 2025, has been hailed by viewers as a perfect blend of action and suspense, drawing comparisons to franchises like Mission: Impossible and Squid Game.
Plot and Cast
The IMDb synopsis reads: "A man joins a game show in which contestants, allowed to flee anywhere in the world, are pursued by 'hunters' hired to kill them." Glen Powell stars as Ben Richards, a role previously played by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1987 original. The supporting cast includes Josh Brolin, Colman Domingo, Lee Pace, Michael Cera, Emilia Jones, and Martin Herlihy.
Critical Reception
The film holds a 61% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.4 score on IMDb. Despite mixed critical reviews, many viewers have praised it. One IMDb user gave it a perfect 10/10, stating: "Let me put it this way. I saw it at a matinee this afternoon and now I'm going back with my husband. I'm not a Glen Powell fan but I do love Edgar Wright movies and this one delivers." Another viewer called it "the best action movie of the year... and maybe the decade...so far."
Faithful Adaptation
Fans of the novel have applauded the adaptation. One reviewer described it as a "masterpiece of literary adaptation," noting: "Hands down the best adaptation of King's work. You can literally watch the movie and turn pages. Powell's Richards jumps out of the book." Another added: "I waited 34 years for a faithful version of this, and now we have it."
Comparisons to Classics
Viewers have drawn comparisons to other action franchises. One fan said: "This film feels like a big mix of Fast and Furious and Mission: Impossible. I love the chase scenes." Another on Rotten Tomatoes gushed: "Excellent film! Glen Powell did great with his character, Ben Richards." However, not all feedback was positive; one critic wrote: "A real disappointment, falling flat both as social commentary and as an action movie," while another preferred the original 1987 version.
Streaming Details
The Running Man is available to stream on Paramount Plus. The platform describes it as: "A fun, unhinged deadly game show where contestants must survive 30 days while being hunted by professional assassins, with every move broadcast to a bloodthirsty public." New subscribers can get a seven-day free trial via Amazon Prime's Paramount+ channel.
