‘The Running Man’: Early Buzz Hypes King Adaptation?

Thescreescore – Initial reactions to Edgar Wright’s highly anticipated adaptation of Stephen King’s "The Running Man" are here, and the consensus is overwhelmingly positive. The film, starring Glen Powell as Ben Richards, plunges viewers into a dystopian world where Richards must survive a deadly game show.

Critics are praising Wright’s vision and Powell’s performance, noting its faithfulness to King’s source material. Perri Nemiroff from Collider lauds the film for staying truer to the book than the 1987 Schwarzenegger version, calling it a strong end to a year filled with King adaptations.

Rachel Leishman of The Mary Sue declares Wright has "bottled magic," creating an "instant classic" with an "action-packed, emotional" take. Jimmy O from JoBlo highlights Powell’s performance, emphasizing the film’s distinct departure from the 1987 adaptation, despite a few too many characters.

Kathy Paz of WSVN 7News celebrates Powell’s "powerhouse performance," making Richards a Stephen King protagonist audiences will root for. She also notes the film’s "heart-pumping and adrenaline-inducing" nature. Andrew Korpan from ClutchPoints praises Wright’s improvements on the source material, trimming the book’s weaker parts and enhancing others.

Powell’s portrayal of Ben Richards is a recurring highlight, with critics suggesting he brings more humanity to the character. Wright’s direction is also earning accolades, solidifying his approach as superior to the 1987 film. Even Arnold Schwarzenegger expressed excitement for the new adaptation.

While the film’s cast, including Colman Domingo, Josh Brolin, Lee Pace, Jayme Lawson, Michael Cera, William H. Macy, David Zayas, and Katy O’Brian, is extensive, and some critics suggest the 2-hour and 13-minute runtime could be a concern, the overwhelmingly positive initial reactions suggest a successful theatrical debut on November 14.