Directed by Edgar Wright.
The Running Man was released in theaters on November 14, 2025.
Distributed by Paramount Pictures.
The Running Man (2025) Review
The Running Man (2025) is a fast, exciting action movie that focuses more on fun than deep messaging.
Glen Powell plays Ben Richards, a man forced to join a deadly reality show where he must survive while the whole world watches.
The movie looks great, moves quickly and feels very stylish, thanks to director Edgar Wright’s creative action scenes.
Colman Domingo shines as the smooth but dangerous show host, and Michael Cera adds emotion as a surprising ally.
The story touches on ideas like media control and how the rich use entertainment to distract people, but it doesn’t explore these topics very deeply.
Instead, the film keeps the action coming with big chases, bright visuals and lots of suspense.
It’s a fun, energetic movie that may not be very deep but is definitely entertaining and worth watching if you like fast-paced action.
CR Rating – 6.9/10
The Running Man (2025) Actors
Glen Powell as Ben Richards
DOB: October 21, 1988.
Bio: American actor, writer, and producer whose career has evolved from early supporting roles into full-fledged leading-man prominence.
Known for his mix of charm, comedic precision, and physical presence, Powell broke out internationally with Top Gun: Maverick and has since expanded into action, drama, and thriller territory.
Role: Ben Richards, a working-class father pushed to the edge who enters the deadly government-sanctioned game show “The Running Man” to save his family.
Unlike the 1987 film, the 2025 adaptation is closer in tone to Stephen King’s original novel, presenting Richards as a morally upright, desperate man forced into violence, surveillance, and televised exploitation.
Interesting fact: Reports note that Powell studied the tone of King’s novel and trained extensively for the film’s stunt-heavy shoot.
Early production notes also mention a respectful nod to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 1987 film through an Easter-egg cameo.
Notable works: Top Gun: Maverick, Anyone But You, Hit Man, Set It Up, Devotion.
Josh Brolin as Dan Killian
DOB: February 12, 1968.
Bio: American actor whose career spans indie dramas, Westerns, blockbuster franchises and prestige thrillers.
Known for his commanding presence, textured emotional work and grounded intensity, Brolin has become one of Hollywood’s most reliable performers in morally complex roles.
Role: Dan Killian, the calculating, media-powerhouse executive who controls the lethal game show at the center of The Running Man.
In this adaptation, Killian is portrayed less as a flamboyant showman and more as a chillingly polished architect of entertainment violence.
Interesting fact: Brolin’s long track record with ethically ambiguous roles, from Sicario to No Country for Old Men to playing Thanos, positions him perfectly for a villain who is both persuasive and appalling.
Notable works: No Country for Old Men, Outer Range, Avengers: Endgame.
Colman Domingo as Bobby “Bobby T” Thompson
DOB: November 28, 1969.
Bio: Emmy- and Tony-nominated actor, writer, and director celebrated for his versatility across stage, film, and television.
Renowned for infusing supporting and ensemble roles with emotional depth and charisma, Domingo often transforms minor parts into scene-stealing, memorable performances.
Role: Bobby “Bobby T” Thompson, the charismatic host of the high-stakes television spectacle at the center of The Running Man.
As the on-screen face of the deadly game show, Bobby humanizes the program for audiences while concealing its violent, manipulative underpinnings.
Interesting fact: Domingo is a major stage and screen force (Tony & Emmy pedigree) whose presence signals the film’s balance of spectacle and character work.
Notable works: Euphoria (HBO), Zola, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, The Color Purple (Broadway), Fear the Walking Dead.
Lee Pace as Evan McCone
DOB: March 25, 1979.
Bio: American actor celebrated for his versatility, seamlessly moving between sensitive, introspective leads and commanding, charismatic antagonists.
With extensive stage training and a career spanning television, film, and theater, Pace brings precision, physicality, and theatrical polish to every role.
Role: Evan McCone, the enigmatic, masked leader of the Hunters, the highly trained assassins who pursue the contestants in The Running Man.
McCone is not merely a physical threat; he embodies a mythic, almost ritualized menace.
Interesting fact: Pace’s background in stage and TV (including Pushing Daisies and The Hobbit films) gives him the chops to make a largely non-verbal, masked role feel alive.
Notable works: Pushing Daisies, The Hobbit trilogy, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.
Michael Cera as Elton Parrakis
DOB: June 7, 1988.
Bio: Canadian actor known for his distinctive deadpan comedic style, understated charm, and nuanced portrayals of awkward or introspective characters.
While he rose to fame with comedy (Superbad, Arrested Development), Cera has expanded into indie and dramatic work, showing versatility without losing his signature onscreen persona.
Role: Elton Parrakis, an idealistic activist who briefly allies with Ben Richards during the deadly televised spectacle.
Parrakis serves as a moral and emotional counterpoint to the film’s chaos and bloodsport, representing empathy, intellectual curiosity, and human decency.
Interesting fact: Cera’s signature deadpan and understated style allows him to balance humor and pathos, making Elton a quietly memorable character in a largely action-driven narrative.
Notable works: Superbad, Arrested Development (TV), This Is the End, Youth in Revolt.
Emilia Jones as Amelia Williams
DOB: February 23, 2002.
Bio: British actor who gained international acclaim for her lead role in CODA (2021), earning praise for her authentic, emotionally resonant performance.
She combines youthful bravery with grounded sensitivity, seamlessly navigating both dramatic and genre-driven narratives.
Role: Amelia Williams, a civilian initially caught in the deadly spectacle of The Running Man.
Amelia transitions from bystander to reluctant ally, ultimately helping Ben Richards navigate the perilous challenges of the televised killing game.
Interesting fact: Jones received awards attention for CODA, including critical praise for her musical and dramatic performance.
Notable works: CODA, Locke & Key (TV), Utopia, Brimstone.
William H. Macy as Molie Jernigan
DOB: March 13, 1950.
Bio: American character actor renowned for his nuanced portrayals of weary, morally complex men.
His work in Fargo, Boogie Nights, and Shameless has cemented his reputation as a scene-stealer who infuses small moments with lasting impact.
Role: Molie Jernigan, a streetwise, resourceful ally who aids Ben Richards in navigating the deadly game of The Running Man.
Molie operates as both fixer and grifter, offering strategic guidance, practical knowledge, and moral grounding.
Interesting fact: Macy has consistently excelled at portraying everyday men facing extraordinary circumstances.
Notable works: Fargo, Shameless, Boogie Nights, Magnolia, Seabiscuit.
Daniel Ezra as Bradley Throckmorton
DOB: December 15, 1991.
Bio: British actor known for his breakout role as Spencer James in All American.
He has developed a reputation for portraying determined, morally grounded young men whose integrity and drive anchor ensemble narratives.
Role: Bradley Throckmorton, an anti-network activist who becomes Ben Richards’ unexpected guide and mentor.
Bradley offers shelter, resources, and crucial insight into how the lethal TV spectacle of The Running Man is manipulated.
Interesting fact: Ezra’s casting ties the film to contemporary teen/young-adult drama sensibilities despite its dystopian scale.
Notable works: All American (CW), Prey.
Jayme Lawson as Sheila Richards
DOB: September 19, 1997.
Bio: Jayme Lawson is a Juilliard-trained American actor whose career has quickly gained momentum with critically acclaimed supporting roles in major films.
Known for her emotional clarity, naturalism, and ability to convey both vulnerability and inner strength.
Role: Sheila Richards, Ben Richards’ wife and the central emotional anchor of the story.
Sheila’s illness and vulnerability are the driving force behind Ben’s decision to participate in The Running Man, yet she is portrayed as resilient, perceptive, and morally grounded.
Interesting fact: Lawson’s profile rose significantly after her role in The Batman (2022), and she has continued to build a reputation for bringing indie-film sensibilities to larger productions.
Notable works: The Batman, Sinners (2025).
Katy O’Brian as Jenni Laughlin
DOB: February 12, 1989.
Bio: American martial artist and actor renowned for her physicality and disciplined, athletic performances.
She has carved a niche in sci-fi and action genres, consistently portraying strong, capable characters who blend agility, combat skills, and screen presence.
Role: Jenni Laughlin, a contestant and Runner in the televised death game.
Jenni is resourceful, agile, and constantly aware of the lethal environment around her.
Interesting fact: O’Brian has specialized in physically demanding genre roles and is known for integrating martial arts expertise seamlessly into screen performances.
Notable works: The Mandalorian, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Black Lightning.
Sean Hayes as Gary Greenbacks
DOB: June 26, 1970.
Bio: American actor and comedian best known for his Emmy-winning role as Jack McFarland on Will & Grace.
He is also a stage performer and producer, with Broadway and behind-the-scenes experience.
Role: Gary Greenbacks, a charismatic and flamboyant TV host within the film’s media ecosystem.
Gary is one of the faces that packages the deadly spectacle of The Running Man for the public, normalizing violence through his on-air charm.
Interesting fact: His experience in live performance and television ensures a dynamic and polished portrayal.
Notable works: Will & Grace, The Three Stooges, Broadway work.
Karl Glusman as Frank (Hunter)
DOB: January 3, 1988.
Bio: American actor known for intense, edgy performances in independent and mainstream films.
He often gravitates toward roles that require physicality and psychological tension, making him a natural fit for antagonistic or volatile characters.
Role: Frank, one of the elite Hunters tasked with tracking and eliminating Runners in the deadly televised game.
Frank is methodical, physically imposing, and lethal.
Interesting fact: Glusman has earned recognition for his work in provocative indie cinema, including Gaspar Noé’s Love, which showcases his willingness to tackle daring, complex roles.
Notable works: Love, The Neon Demon, Nocturnal Animals.
More Actors
• Alyssa Benn & Sienna Benn as Cathy Richards (Ben’s infant daughter).
• Martin Herlihy as Tim Jansky.
• David Zayas as Richard Manuel.
• Sandra Dickinson as Victoria Parrakis.
• George Carroll as Agent Dugg.
• Simon Haines as Registration Technico.
• Debi Mazar as Amoré Americano.
• Sophie Simnett as Ticket Agent.
• Corey Johnson as Motel Owner.
• Oluniké Adeliyi as Ma Throckmorton.
• Angelo Gray as Stacey Throckmorton.
• Danny McCarthy as YVA Manager.
FAQ – The Running Man (2025) Movie
What is The Running Man (2025) about?
The Running Man (2025) is about a man who joins a deadly reality-TV game to survive and expose a corrupt system.
Is The Running Man a remake?
Yes. It’s a new adaptation of Stephen King’s novel and a reimagining of the 1987 film. The 2025 version follows the book more closely with a darker, more grounded tone.
Is Glen Powell’s character the same as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s?
A: Not exactly. Both play versions of Ben Richards, but Powell’s portrayal is more faithful to King’s original character, desperate, flawed, and morally conflicted.
Will it stream on Paramount+?
Yes. After the theatrical window, the film is expected to stream on Paramount+ as part of Paramount’s release schedule.
Conclusion
The Running Man (2025) delivers exactly what it promises, a fast, stylish and adrenaline-packed ride driven by strong performances and Edgar Wright’s energetic direction.
While the film doesn’t dive too deeply into the social themes of the original story, it makes up for it with sharp visuals, clever humor and nonstop tension.
Glen Powell leads the action with charisma, and the supporting cast adds depth and excitement to every moment.
It’s not a philosophical movie, but it is a thrilling, modern action spectacle that keeps you entertained from start to finish.
If you enjoy high-speed chases, creative fight sequences and a bold, futuristic world, The Running Man is a fun and satisfying watch.