Director Edgar Wright’s latest film is a dystopian action-comedy that’s as entertaining as it is relevant. 

Based on the Stephen King novel, “The Running Man” follows a desperate man who enters a game show where contestants are hunted by professional assassins live on TV in exchange for money. 

While the film is funny, there is also a feeling of anger pulsing throughout the story, and the satire feels lightweight compared to the action in the film. Glenn Powell proves he’s a proper movie star as Ben Richards, a devoted family man whose anger guides him through the deadly reality TV show game.

Powell has a charm that might remind audiences of a young Bruce Willis, snarky and tough. 

Clocking in at a little over two hours, the movie stays inventive throughout, featuring a talented cast that includes Michael Cera and William H. Macy, who play characters helping Ben Richards navigate a deadly game show.

The biggest problem the film has is a lack of narrative clarity during the third act, but there’s enough propulsive energy to keep audiences invested. 

The best villain is Damon Killian, a TV show creator of the barbaric show who hires professional assassins to kill Ben Richards. 

This is a fun satirical movie that makes fun of modern reality TV and explores what and explores the average person might do to survive in today’s economy. Although its set in the future, its themes feel relevant to the current financial struggles many Americans face now.

Watching Glenn Powell go off-the-rails at network executives may even feel cathartic. 

If people are looking for a movie that pokes fun at current culture issues such as cruel reality television slop and AI being used to create fake news, then “The Running Man” might pique their interest. 

Overall, this is a movie that is fast-paced and fun for comedy and thriller fans alike.

Rating: 4/5