The Running Man
The Running Man (2025) is an upcoming dystopian action thriller directed by Edgar Wright and starring Glen Powell as Ben Richards. The film is a new adaptation of Stephen King's 1982 novel, aiming for a more faithful portrayal than the 1987 movie. Set in a bleak, near-future society marked by extreme economic inequality, the story follows Ben Richards, a desperate working-class father, who enters a deadly reality game show where contestants are hunted by professional assassins on live television. His motivation is to win prize money to save his sick daughter. The film is rated R by the MPAA for strong violence, some gore, and pervasive strong language. It delves into themes of media exploitation, governmental control, and social satire. Due to its mature and intense content, it is primarily targeted at adult audiences.
Concerns
Violence
HighThe movie features intense and graphic violence, earning an R rating. Descriptions include frequent on-screen deaths, explicit injuries, and sadistic acts, establishing violence as a dominant and central content area. The film does not shy away from the brutality of its premise.
Individuals are frequently shot, struck, stabbed, blown up, burned alive, and generally murdered. Specific instances include a man being suddenly shot in the head with brief blood spray and pooling blood, and a character being engulfed in flames and screaming in pain after her car is lit on fire by children using flamethrowers. The movie showcases prolonged chase sequences, tactical combat, and multiple on-screen deaths with blood and brief graphic injury detail.
Profanity
HighThe film contains pervasive and strong language, with numerous instances of coarse profanity throughout. It is a significant content descriptor for the R rating, highlighting frequent use of expletives and derogatory terms in intense situations.
The movie contains at least 68 obscenities, including at least 21 uses of the 'f' word, five 'GD' profanities, and four light profanities. Characters use repeated coarse profanity during fights, standoffs, and tense broadcasts. Insulting or dehumanizing terms also appear in the context of the show's gladiatorial spectacle, contributing to the harsh tone.
Scary & Intense Content
HighThe film is characterized by highly intense and suspenseful content from beginning to end. Its dystopian setting, combined with constant life-or-death stakes and graphic violence, creates a frightening and unsettling atmosphere. The movie is designed to provoke emotional responses to state-sanctioned violence.
The movie contains sustained violent scenes and a bleak premise. It is described as a 'pulse-pounding survival game where courage, cunning, and sheer determination are the only weapons' and 'contestants face life-or-death challenges in a relentless, high-stakes arena'. The film is 'exhausting, exhilarating, and occasionally overwhelming' due to its high-octane sequences, keeping adrenaline high. There's a 'steady stream of graphic violence as contestants and innocent bystanders are mercilessly killed for the sake of entertainment,' with guns, knives, explosions, and torture on the menu.
Disrespect & Rebellion
HighDisrespect and rebellion are central themes, as the protagonist, Ben Richards, actively defies the authoritarian dystopian system and its exploitative media. His actions challenge societal norms and the ruling powers, making him a symbol of resistance.
Ben Richards is a working-class man who is blacklisted as an 'agitator' and fired for sticking up for his union and co-workers, demonstrating defiance against corporate and governmental control. His 'defiance, instincts, and grit' within the deadly game show turn him into an unexpected fan favorite and a direct 'threat to the entire system.' The film's narrative often employs an 'anarchical revolutionary approach to the future,' portraying Ben's actions as a rebellion against a tyrannical government that uses propaganda.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumThe film includes confirmed LGBTQ representation with a prominent character, Laughlin, who is portrayed as an openly lesbian contestant. She is shown engaging in a romantic gesture with her partner. This depiction is a specific character detail within the narrative.
Laughlin, a contestant in 'The Running Man' game, is explicitly identified as an 'open lesbian' and is shown kissing her partner before the elevator closes, indicating an established same-sex relationship. She is also described as a 'sexy lesbian with a death wish' who is a highlight of the film.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumSexual content is present but not central to the plot. It includes brief nudity, sexually suggestive advertising, and allusions to prostitution. One character, a lesbian, is shown kissing her partner. The overall presentation implies adult themes rather than focusing on explicit sexual acts.
A man's buttocks are briefly seen in a non-sexual context. A fictional reality TV program within the film shows a man in bed with multiple naked women, with explicit upper female body parts purposely blurred, and there are images of upper and rear male nudity. Additionally, there are several scenes featuring sexually suggestive advertising, magazines, and strippers without graphic detail, along with allusions to prostitution. One contestant, Laughlin, an open lesbian, is shown kissing her partner.
Substance Use
MediumThe film includes moderate depictions of substance use, primarily involving alcohol and some marijuana use. While not central to the plot, these instances contribute to the depiction of a morally degraded dystopian society.
Adult characters are occasionally seen drinking alcohol, and on one occasion, smoking marijuana. There are multiple moments where people are shown drinking, getting wasted. Additionally, people are seen smoking cigarettes, and one character receives injections to feel better, implying potential drug use, though not explicitly confirmed as illicit.
Anti-Christian Themes
MediumThe film contains elements that mock or are irreverent towards Christian beliefs and symbols. It presents a worldview where God is absent and life is portrayed as pointless suffering for entertainment, contributing to an overall nihilistic tone that may be concerning for Christian parents.
There is explicit 'mockery of Christianity,' including a scene where Ben Richards disguises himself as a blind priest. A street preacher is shown with a sign stating, 'Christ the Redeemer damns you to hell.' Furthermore, a wall-mounted cross is turned upside down to reveal a secret panel. The film's worldview is described as suggesting 'God is either dead or doesn't exist,' and that 'life is pointless because all that people do is make each other suffer for their own entertainment.'
Witchcraft & Occult
LowNo explicit instances or themes of witchcraft, sorcery, occult practices, magic rituals, demons, spells, or supernatural elements were identified in the available content reviews for 'The Running Man (2025)'. The film is consistently described as a dystopian action thriller without supernatural horror elements.
The synopsis and content descriptions focus on futuristic dystopian society, violent game show elements, and social commentary. There are no mentions of characters engaging in occult activities or any supernatural occurrences influencing the plot or characters.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
18+ recommended. The film has received an R rating from the MPAA for strong violence, some gore, and language. Reviews consistently highlight graphic depictions of death, pervasive profanity, and mature sexual themes, making it unsuitable for children and younger teenagers. Parental guidance strongly advises against viewing for anyone under 18 due to the intensity and nature of the content.
Additional Notes
The Running Man (2025) is a reboot that aims to be a more faithful adaptation of Stephen King's bleak and politically charged novel, differing significantly from the campy 1987 film version. The movie uses its dystopian setting to offer social commentary on economic inequality, media exploitation, and governmental control. Parents should be aware that the film is a dark and intense thriller, not a superhero action film, and its critical reception suggests a focus on grit and spectacle, though some reviewers noted a lack of emotional depth.
Related Reviews
Is The Running Man right for your family?
These concerns are a starting point — what many Christian parents care about. Want to screen for other themes? Define your own concerns.
Screen any book, movie, or show — even titles no one else has reviewed.
“StoryScanner gives us clarity and confidence. It's become our go-to for checking books at the library and movies on family night.”
— Cristi & Brian, Dallas TX
“StoryScanner has been such a BLESSING for researching books for our children. You can set filters for your concerns, enter a book title, and it lets you know what's present.”
— Christian Book Reviews for Families (Facebook)
No credit card required