The Running Man demonstrates man’s resolve to do anything for sake of loved ones

And we announce the winners who won cool goodie bags.

Reviewer: Funeka Bambalele
Film Title: The Running Man
Film Release: November 14, 2025

If you want to see how far a man can go to protect and provide for his family, you don’t need to look any further than The Running Man (2025).

The protagonist is an ordinary man struggling with economic hardship. The film presents a gripping and emotional journey centred on a man who finds himself at a crossroads, forced to make a harrowing decision for the sake of his loved ones.

 Faced with mounting financial pressures and an overwhelming desire to provide a better life for his family, he chooses to enter a deadly competition, where the stakes are life and death.

Despite the dangers, the man’s resolve is unwavering. His selfless motivation is not for fame or personal gain, but for the future security and happiness of his family.

The Running Man (2025) is the remake of the 1987 blockbuster of the same title which featured the legendary actor, Arnold Schwarzenegger. The film is set to hit your local cinemas this Friday.

Those who watched the film Death Race, where convicted prisoners participate in the game of death just to gettheir freedom, The Running Man has similar characteristics.

Directed with razor-sharp precision byEdgar Wright and co-written with Michael Bacall, the film resurrects Stephen King’s 1982 novel with a bold, relentless vision—one that stands apart from the 1987 adaptation and pushes the story into darker, more unsettling territory.

The film assembles a powerhouse cast: Glen Powell steps into the arena with a career-defining intensity, joined by William H. Macy, Lee Pace, Michael Cera, Emilia Jones, Daniel Ezra, Jayme Lawson, Colman Domingo, and Josh Brolin, each bringing their own edge to a world teetering on collapse.

Set in a near-future society, The Running Man is the highest-rated show on television — a ruthless survival game where contestants, known as Runners, must stay alive for 30 days while being hunted by elite assassins. Every second is broadcast live to a nation addicted to violence, spectacle and celebrity culture. They must evade a squad of elite, stylized, and utterly ruthless hunters. Victory promises $1 billion—but survival is the rarest prize of all.

 Ben Richards (Glen Powell), a hardworking father, enters the game in a desperate attempt to save his gravely ill daughter. Coaxed into the competition by the show’s slick and heartless producer, Dan Killian (Josh Brolin), Ben soon becomes more than just a contestant. His determination, instinct, and refusal to break under pressure turn him into an unexpected fan favorite — and a serious threat to the very system that exploits him.

Meanwhile, his wife is aware that everyone who participates in the contest never lives to tell the tale.

As his popularity rises, so does the danger. The hunters become more vicious, the stakes become deadlier, and the entire nation watches, craving his downfall. To survive, Ben must outthink, outrun, and outfight not only the assassins sent after him, but the twisted society cheering for his demise.

At its heart, the movie explores themes of sacrifice, love, and the lengths to which a person will go for those they care about. It raises questions about morality, desperation, and the societal conditions that drive individuals to extreme measures.

The protagonist’s journey is both heartbreaking and inspiring, serving as a reflection on the human spirit and the bonds of family. The audience is left to ponder the value of life and the true cost of survival.

With The Running Man, the director truly demonstrates his mastery of conceptual storytelling in this film. The direction is sharp, intentional, and visually compelling. The movie features a vibrant and talented cast, each delivering dynamic performances that elevate the entire production. Together, they create an unforgettable and captivating cinematic experience.

Riding the momentum of Top Gun: Maverick, Anyone but You, and Twisters, Glen Powell continues his meteoric rise, delivering a commanding lead performance in The Running Man.

Bobby Thompson, the charismatic host of The Running Man, electrifies the arena with his razor-sharp wit and playful humor. His presence turns every moment into unforgettable entertainment as the competitors battle to be the last one standing.

Whether the protagonist survives or succumbs to the dangers of the competition, his actions are a testament to his love and dedication.

Congratulations to our winners

We have two winners for the United International Pictures/CITYLIFE/ARTS Running Man Competition, and these are SagrenMoodley and Andries Erasmus. Both managed to correctly identify the following three characters in the film: Glen Powell, Josh Brolin and Emilia Jones, and identified the director of The Running Man as Edgar Wright.

Congratulations to both of them as they have won themselves each a branded The Running Man hat, a health tracking watch and a replica TRM Jacket.-Edward Tsumele, Editor, CITYLIFE/ARTS