Edgar Wright’s The Running Man is almost here, and fans of Stephen King’s novel and the Arnold Schwarzenegger classic are anxious to see how Wright has adapted the story. Glen Powell stars as Ben Richards, who signs up for the deadly titular game show in the hopes of winning $1 billion. Arnie’s version might not be faithful to Stephen King’s book, but it is still considered to be a great action movie. Fans are hoping that Edgar Wright has delivered another hit with his iteration of The Running Man, and, with the first reactions now live on social media, it’s time to find out.
Fret not, because the first reactions to Edgar Wright’s The Running Man remake are (mostly) positive. The director of Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and Baby Driver appears to have delivered another smash hit. Without wasting any time, let’s look at the critics’ first reactions. “The Running Man was everything I wanted it to be and so much more,” wrote @RachelLeishman of The Mary Sue. “Action-packed, emotional, and a star vehicle for Glen Powell. Edgar Wright really bottled magic with Stephen King’s novel, and this is going to be an instant classic! It just f*cking rules, man!!!”
Other critics held the adaptation of Stephen King’s action-packed novel in similarly high regard. “Edgar Wright’s The Running Man doesn’t jog… it sprints & dives headfirst into King’s blood-soaked novel,” wrote @AndreSaintAlbin, who continued, “Glen Powell is Ben Richards: sweat, snarl, & soul-shattered fury of a broke dad running 30 days of Hunters for one sick kid’s cure. Brolin’s Killian? A silk-tongued snake whose evil drips like poison. 9/10.” @jairojimenez_ held a similar opinion, saying:
“Edgar Wright’s THE RUNNING MAN orchestrates a dizzying montage that dilutes King’s proletarian punk into dystopian pop, with Glen Powell being fiercely charismatic & superb, humanizing the chaos & devouring the screen. An addictive and brilliant sprint that’ll leave you gasping.”
Other Critics Ask “What Happened to Edgar Wright?” Following ‘The Running Man’
Unfortunately, it’s not a standing ovation across the board. None of the reactions (so far) have called it a bad movie. However, given the lauded status of Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead, many critics feel like The Running Man is underwhelming and shallow in comparison. “We are going to need to talk about what happened to Edgar Wright,” wrote @ryanmcquade77. “A film fully carried on its back by its movie star, and held back by its lost storyteller behind the camera. Puzzling and bland.”
Others held similarly mixed opinions, like @NextBestPicture, who said, “I had a pretty good time with THE RUNNING MAN for most of its runtime, but it ultimately felt like it was building toward something grander and more profound than what we ultimately get.” @3CFilmss also shares the same belief, writing:
“The Running Man is a mostly enjoyable action ride but as an Edgar Wright film I was underwhelmed. It packs the least amount of personality in his filmography playing it pretty safe & straightforward. Powell is charismatic & the media propaganda plot felt scary relevant. It’s fine.”
Alongside Glen Powell, The Running Man also stars Emilia Jones, Lee Pace, Daniel Ezra, Michael Cera, Katy M. O’Brian, Josh Brolin, Jayme Lawson, and Colman Domingo. The Running Man opens in theaters on November 12.