The Running Man, directed by Edgar Wright, stars Glen Powell as Ben Richards in a high-stakes survival game set in a dystopian future. This new adaptation is based on Stephen King’s novel written under his pseudonym Richard Bachman.
The original story was first brought to the screen in 1987, featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger in the lead. The 2025 remake reinvents the tale with a fresh approach while maintaining its core premise.
Arnold Schwarzenegger returns in a special cameo role. Edgar Wright, known for films like Shaun of the Dead and Baby Driver, directs the remake.
The story unfolds in a near-future society that has fallen apart. The most popular show on TV is a brutal survival contest where contestants are hunted for 30 days. Ben Richards, who has a critically ill daughter, chooses to enter the deadly game to secure her future.
"Ben Richards agrees to join the show, which forces contestants to survive a 30-day manhunt while assassins chase them on live television."
The 2025 version is confirmed to feature a different ending compared to the 1987 film, offering a fresh take on the narrative.
Author's summary: Edgar Wright’s 2025 remake of The Running Man updates the classic dystopian survival tale with a new ending, a strong ensemble cast, and a gripping plot driven by a father’s fight for his daughter’s life.