‘The Running Man’ review: Even at full speed, update runs out of gas

Key Takeaways:

• Stephen King’s novel retains its unsettling tone decades later.
• The 1987 film adaptation popularized the story but did not exhaust its relevance.
• A new adaptation struggles to maintain momentum.
• Reviewer Mark Meszoros highlights the enduring power of King’s themes.
• Published by the Wyoming Tribune Eagle, the piece underscores King’s lasting influence.

The Enduring Power of Stephen King

Stephen King is widely regarded as a master of horror whose works have infiltrated popular culture for decades. “The Running Man,” published under King’s pseudonym Richard Bachman in the early 1980s, exemplifies his trademark ability to build unsettling worlds that linger in readers’ minds long after the final page.

Revisiting a Classic

In 1987, “The Running Man” found a broader audience as a film adaptation, capturing some of the novel’s dystopian energy. The combination of action and horror proved compelling, marking the story as one that transcends genre. Its central conceit—that society’s darker impulses can be unleashed in a relentless chase—remains disturbingly relevant.

The New Adaptation Falters

According to Mark Meszoros, writing for The News-Herald, a more recent update of “The Running Man” seems to lose steam before reaching its full potential. As reflected in the review’s headline, “Even at full speed, update runs out of gas,” this latest interpretation struggles to harness the story’s potency. While it attempts to modernize the narrative for contemporary audiences, its momentum falls short of the thematic weight established by King’s original.

Why It Still Resonates

Despite criticisms of the new adaptation, the core premise of “The Running Man” continues to strike a chord. King’s talent for exploring society’s hidden fears is on full display, especially when read or viewed through a modern lens. The unflinching look at desperation and spectacle resonates with an era still grappling with issues of media influence and public consumption of violence.

Final Thoughts

For fans of Stephen King—and anyone intrigued by prescient tales of dystopia—“The Running Man” remains a noteworthy piece of horror fiction. While the recent version may stumble, the novel’s enduring themes keep it relevant. Mark Meszoros’s review, published by the Wyoming Tribune Eagle on November 14, 2025, highlights the lingering power of King’s original ideas, proving that some nightmares refuse to fade.