The first trailer for Edgar Wright’s latest project, The Running Man, based on Stephen King’s 1982 novel, has just arrived. Set in a dystopian America, The Running Man follows working-class Ben Richards, played by the ever-rising actor Glen Powell, as he enters a deadly game show to afford care for his ailing daughter (a scenario that becomes increasingly less far-fetched). The novel has been adapted for the screen before with Paul Michael Glaser’s 1987 version starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, which today is met with low IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes scores of 6.6 and 67%. But in the hands of Wright and an exciting cast, The Running Man may have what it takes to be the action movie of the year.
The Premise
In this dystopian society, a game show makes its contestants, called Runners, prey to trained assassins, aptly called Hunters, whilst broadcasting live to its sadistic viewers. The Runners must survive for thirty days, with their every move being watched, as their cash reward steadily increases. Desperate to support his sick daughter and at a loss for options, Ben Richards is convinced by the coldly charismatic and calculating producer, Dan Killian (Josh Brolin), to enter the games as a Hail Mary. America’s most popular show, run by Bobby Thompson (the ridiculously talented Colman Domingo), emphasizing that “Bloodlust is our birthright”, sets that bloodlust loose in its participants and its audience.
Unexpectedly, Ben soon emerges as a fan favorite and a deeply skilled player. With keen instincts, determination forged from his dedication to his daughter, and defiance against the society that has birthed the games, Ben becomes a threat to the entire system. As the ratings begin to skyrocket, Ben becomes the chief target for both the Hunters and the nation at large. Ben has almost no allies besides Bradley Thockmorton (Michael Cera), a rebel who decides to help him. In the stunt-riddled and action-packed trailer, we see Ben disguising himself, jumping off bridges, scaling buildings naked, and evading countless bullets and one grenade, only to turn the camera towards himself and flip his middle finger: “I’m still here. You s**t eaters.”
The Makings For A Hit
Edgar Wright’s 2017 action hit Baby Driver and 2021 mystery/thriller Last Night In Soho cemented his cinematic style that can be seen reverberating in the film’s first trailer. Wright packs his films with kinetic energy, often exaggerated by his chosen color scheme, enlivens them with music, sound, and awe-inspiring stunts, and grounds them with witty dialogue coming from honest characters. He always uses his aesthetic to heighten the energy and plot of his films, unlike so many other film and television makers we see attempting to sustain their audience on visual and grandeur alone.
Something about Colman Domingo (who I cannot wait to see play such an eccentric, devoid-of-morality showboat), Michael Cera, and William H Macy in the same cast just feels right. Each singular and charismatic in their own right, these actors, who drop into the chaos of a dystopian hellscape similar to The Hunger Games and Squid Game, are sure to be memorable. While I’ve never personally understood the Glen Powell fixation, the first glimpses of his Ben Richards appear to fit like a glove. The beauty of a generic actor like Powell is that you can put him in any “traditional” leading man role and he’ll do fine; a reminder of the type of “stars” we used to have in the heyday of filmmaking.
Coming November 7th, The Running Man looks, if nothing else, like a lot of fun. Its dystopian American landscape arrives as our current society teeters dangerously on the cusp of chaos and corruption. While I don’t expect any serious introspection or symbolism, Wright’s film certainly has an audience familiar with its base concepts and in desperate need of a distraction.
Wondering what other films should be on your watch list? Check out Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere here.
Looking for more dystopian stories? Browse our Dystopian Worlds, Technology, and the Universe in Science Fiction bookshelf.
