Edgar Wright’s The Running Man Surges on Streaming Despite Mixed Reactions
Edgar Wright’s take on Stephen King’s The Running Man, starring Glen Powell, is making waves on Paramount+ after a lukewarm box office run and split reviews from critics and punters alike.
Glen Powell’s latest outing in Edgar Wright’s adaptation of Stephen King’s The Running Man has quickly become a streaming sensation, even as it left critics and cinema-goers divided. The film, helmed by the director known for Baby Driver and Hot Fuzz, first hit cinemas in November 2025 before landing on Paramount+ on 13 January 2026. Since then, it’s been picking up steam with local punters keen to see what all the fuss is about.
The cast is stacked, with William H. Macy, Lee Pace, Emilia Jones, Michael Cera, Daniel Ezra, Sean Hayes, Jayme Lawson, Colman Domingo, and Josh Brolin joining Powell. This marks the second time King’s 1982 novel has been brought to the screen, but this version sticks closer to the original story, giving the 1980s action flick a modern overhaul.
Plot and Cast: A Fresh Take on a Classic
Set in a not-so-distant future, the story centres on a brutal TV show where contestants, called Runners, must survive a month while being hunted by professional killers. Every move is broadcast to a nation hooked on the spectacle, with the cash prize growing each day. Ben Richards, played by Powell, is a working-class bloke desperate to save his sick daughter. He’s roped into the deadly game by the show’s slick but ruthless producer, Dan Killian (Josh Brolin). As Ben’s grit and defiance win over viewers, he becomes a threat to the whole system, and the stakes only get higher as the ratings climb.
“In a near-future society, The Running Man is the top-rated show on television—a deadly competition where contestants, known as Runners, 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. Desperate to save his sick daughter, working-class Ben Richards (Glen Powell) is convinced by the show’s charming but ruthless producer, Dan Killian (Josh Brolin), to enter the game as a last resort. But Ben’s defiance, instincts, and grit turn him into an unexpected fan favorite—and a threat to the entire system. As ratings skyrocket, so does the danger, and Ben must outwit not just the Hunters, but a nation addicted to watching him fall.”
Critical Response: Divided Opinions
Despite the big names involved and the popularity of King’s original tale, the film’s reception has been all over the shop. Critics handed it a 63% score, saying it’s got style but doesn’t quite hit the inventive heights fans expect from Wright. One reviewer noted,
“the film nails the book’s economic and authoritarian themes but stumbles in stale action sequences and a long, bewildering third act.”
Audiences were a bit more generous, giving it a 78% on the Popcornmeter. Still, some reckon Wright’s version tones down the book’s sharper edges. The film didn’t exactly set the box office alight either, pulling in just $69 million worldwide against a hefty $110 million budget.
Streaming Success: Redemption Online
While the cinema run was underwhelming, the film’s fortunes have turned around on streaming. Since its release on Paramount+, The Running Man has found a new audience, with heaps of viewers tuning in to see Powell’s take on Ben Richards and Wright’s vision of King’s dystopian world. It’s a reminder that sometimes, a film just needs the right platform to find its crowd.