A Fresh Take on Classic Dystopian Fiction
Australian cinema enthusiasts are in for a treat with Edgar Wright's compelling new adaptation of The Running Man, which offers a stark contrast to the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger version that many will remember. This modern interpretation, released in Australian cinemas on November 14, 2025, stays much closer to Stephen King's original 1982 novel written under his Richard Bachman pseudonym.
What makes this adaptation particularly noteworthy is its timing - it marks the second King/Bachman adaptation this year following The Long Walk, both exploring similar themes of desperate individuals in dystopian competitions.
Glen Powell's Everyman Hero
Glen Powell steps into the role of Ben Richards, bringing a completely different energy than Schwarzenegger's iconic performance. Where the 1987 version featured an almost superhuman action hero, Powell portrays a more relatable, everyman character struggling in a grim near-future Australia.
Ben's life is falling apart - he keeps losing jobs due to his hotheaded defense of fellow workers, effectively blacklisting him from employment. His wife Cathy, played by Alyssa Ben, works as a waitress in a seedy club where colleagues supplement their income through questionable means. Their financial struggles become critical when their young daughter falls ill and they cannot afford proper medical treatment.
The film includes a clever nod to its predecessor with an in-joke that Australian viewers will appreciate: $100 bills feature Arnold Schwarzenegger's face, connecting this new version to its cinematic history.
The Deadly Game Show
Driven by desperation, Ben auditions for The Running Man, a brutal game show that offers life-changing prize money. The show's producer Dan Killian, portrayed by Josh Brolin, takes special interest in Ben, sensing he could make compelling television.
The rules are brutally simple: three contestants are released with minimal supplies and must survive for 30 days while being hunted. They must submit daily 10-minute recordings to prove they're still in the game. The public is encouraged to report sightings for rewards, and surveillance cameras are everywhere.
Stephen King's original novel proves remarkably prescient in our era of reality television and hyper-competitive game shows, though thankfully without the lethal consequences - for now.
A Desperate Struggle for Survival
Ben initially believes he can simply hide in a cheap hotel and wait out the thirty days, but quickly learns the impossibility of this strategy. The film masterfully builds paranoia and escalating desperation as Ben navigates various locations and encounters numerous characters.
Among the more helpful figures he meets are Molie, played by William H. Macy, who provides fake identification, and Elton, portrayed by Michael Cera, a rebel whose father was killed by the government. While Ben becomes an unwitting symbol of hope for the oppressed, he resists embracing this role.
The film does stumble slightly in its final act, particularly after Ben hijacks a car driven by wealthy Amelia, played by Emilia Jones. The storytelling becomes less crisp, suggesting the filmmakers struggled with wrapping up the complex narrative.
Despite these minor flaws, The Running Man delivers a compelling science fiction thriller that seamlessly incorporates social commentary about class struggle, media manipulation, and economic desperation. With a runtime of 137 minutes and MA15+ rating, it offers Australian audiences a thought-provoking cinematic experience that resonates with contemporary societal concerns.
