‘Masterpiece’ thriller based on cult novel is ‘best action movie’ | Films | Entertainment
The action movie boasts a star-studded cast (Image: Courtesy of Paramount Plus)
An intense thriller based on a popular novel has landed on streaming platforms and fans have promised the film will leave you on tenter-hooks. The action movie, based on a novel by Stephen King, landed in cinemas last year and is perfect for fans of gripping franchises like Mission: Impossible or Squid Game.
It has an IMDb synopsis that 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.” The flick was also directed by film legend Edgar Wright, famed for cult classics like Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and Baby Driver.
The film comes from legendary director Edgar Wright (Image: Courtesy of Paramount Plus)
The Running Man is the latest 2025 adaptation of King’s classic novel, starring Glen Powell in the leading role of Ben Richards, with Arnold Schwarzenegger having played the same part in the 1987 version.
Other cast members include Josh Brolin, Colman Domingo, Lee Pace, Michael Cera, Emilia Jones and Martin Herlihy.
It holds a 61% fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.4 rating on IMDb, and plenty of fans have praised the new take on the dystopian story.
The film has just landed on Paramount Plus, with the streaming platform teasing: “The Running Man is 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 and each day bringing a greater cash reward.”
Over on IMDb, one fan gave the film 10/10, saying: “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 live Edgar Wright movies and this one delivers. Don’t go see it if you want to relax!
“I read the Stephen King novel years and years ago and saw the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie years ago as well, so i can’t tell you how it compares, but this one stands on its own as the best action movie of the year… and maybe the decade…so far.”
A second person called the film a ‘masterpiece of literary adaptation’, adding: “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.
“The ending got the Hollywood treatment, but still accomplished the same goal. I waited 34 years for a faithful version of this, and now we have it. The casting feels like they all read the novel.”
The film is set in a dystopian world (Image: Courtesy of Paramount Plus)
Another person wrote: “One of the best movies of the year. After being trailer after trailer at the cinema for what seems the whole year, I was fearing this would be a total flop.
“I need not have worried because this is an action packed, well scripted remake of the original. Everyone is cast perfectly and all performances are great. It keeps you guessing throughout the movie and the twists and turns keep it going. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Well worth a visit.”
One more viewer added: “It was perfect. Edgar Wright nailed [it] on this expensive movie. The action, everything. A lot better than the 1987. It follows the book. Glen Powell did a great Job on playing the character Ben Richards.”
They even compared it to other popular action movie franchises, adding: “This film feels like a big mix of Fast and Furious and Mission: Impossible. I love the chase scenes.”
Over on Rotten tomatoes, one person gushed: “Excellent film! Glen Powell did great with his character, Ben Richards.”
“Fresh! Intensely gripping all the way through. Great acting on all parts,” another said, as one more noted: “Loved this. Im 100% certain that Stephen King will be so happy with this version of his brilliant book. Great all round really enjoyable watch.”
However, not everyone was a fan, with one viewer writing: “A real disappointment, falling flat both as social commentary and as an action movie.”
Another complained: “The first one was way better. Loved the satire and Richard Dawson, who was a game show host in real life, as the host in the original. Tired of remakes with all the social commentary without improving the whole movie.”
The Running Man is streaming on Paramount Plus now.
