The Running Man

“Stop filming me!” The Film Board Gathers! This time, they're racing through Edgar Wright's adaptation of The Running Man, a sharper, more faithful take on Richard Bachman’s/Stephen King's dystopian manhunt. Glenn Powell stars as Ben Richards, sprinting for survival and truth in a world where entertainment is weaponized and every choice is content. Pete Wright leads Tommy Metz III, Steve Sarmento, Matthew Fox, and Mandy Kaplan through a deep dive into this reimagining. The panel tackles everything from Josh Brolin's corporate menace to Coleman Domingo's pitch-perfect propaganda host, debating how Wright balances King's nihilistic source material with Hollywood's need for hope. They explore the film's commentary on surveillance, media manipulation, and AI deep fakes, all while questioning whether Wright's signature style gets lost in the chase. While the group largely praises Powell's charismatic lead performance and the film's updated themes, they clash over the rushed ending and whether dystopian tales can (or should) offer uplift in 2025. The conversation ranges from adaptation choices and censorship quirks to Michael Cera’s panic room and the eerie prescience of King's original vision. Is this a faithful sprint through broken society or just dystopia with a Disney sheen? Grab your tracking beacon, dodge the drones, and find out as the Film Board breaks down every checkpoint of The Running Man. (Just watch out for those AI face swaps.) 🎬 Watch & Discover 🍿 Watch Now: Apple TV | Amazon | Letterboxd 📽️ Original Theatrical Trailer 📚 Adapted from The Running Man by Stephen King as Richard Bachman Support The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts: Become a member for just $5/month or $55/year Join our Discord community of movie lovers The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts: Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and Movements The Film Board Movies We Like The Next Reel Film Podcast Sitting in the Dark Connect With Us: Main Site: Web Movie Platforms: Letterboxd | Flickchart Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | Pinterest Your Hosts: Pete | JJ | Steve | Tommy | Andy | Ocean Shop & Stream: Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & more Watch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussed Originals: Source material from our episodes Special offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible