Glen Powell's King Thriller Dominates Streaming After Theater Flop
Edgar Wright's dystopian adaptation starring Glen Powell finds new life on Paramount+ following lukewarm critical reception and disappointing theatrical earnings.
Glen Powell's latest starring vehicle has found its audience, just not where anyone expected. Wright's take on King's dystopian thriller crashed into Paramount+ on January 13, pulling massive viewership numbers after a theatrical run that left studio executives scratching their heads.
The film landed in theaters last November with serious pedigree behind it. Wright, the mastermind behind Baby Driver and Hot Fuzz, assembled a powerhouse cast around Powell's leading man appeal. William H. Macy, Lee Pace, Emilia Jones, Michael Cera, Daniel Ezra, Sean Hayes, Jayme Lawson, Colman Domingo, and Josh Brolin round out the ensemble.
Closer to Source Material
This marks the second time Hollywood has tackled King's 1982 novel. The new version ditches the campy 1980s Schwarzenegger approach for something grittier, more faithful to the book's original vision.
The story centers on a twisted game show where contestants fight for survival while America watches. Ben Richards, played by Powell, enters the deadly competition to save his dying daughter. The show's producer Dan Killian, brought to life by Brolin, promises big money for anyone who can survive 30 days of professional hunters tracking them down.
"In a near-future society, The Running Man is the top-rated show on television—a deadly competition where contestants, known as Runners, must survive 30 days while being hunted by professional assassins, with every move broadcast to a bloodthirsty public and each day bringing a greater cash reward. Desperate to save his sick daughter, working-class Ben Richards is convinced by the show's charming but ruthless producer, Dan Killian, to enter the game as a last resort. But Ben's defiance, instincts, and grit turn him into an unexpected fan favorite—and a threat to the entire system. As ratings skyrocket, so does the danger, and Ben must outwit not just the Hunters, but a nation addicted to watching him fall."
Mixed Critical Response
Critics gave the film a middling 63% rating. Many praised Wright's visual style but found fault with generic action sequences. MovieWeb's Julian Roman noted the film captures King's economic and political themes effectively but stumbles during a confusing final act.
Audiences proved more forgiving, scoring it 78% on the Popcornmeter. Still, many felt Wright played it too safe, dulling the source material's sharp edges.
Box Office Disappointment
Theater owners watched the film struggle to find its footing. Against a $110 mn production budget, worldwide earnings topped out at just $69 mn. Those numbers spelled trouble for a film banking on Powell's Top Gun: Maverick momentum.
Streaming tells a different story entirely. Paramount+ subscribers have embraced the film in ways theatrical audiences never did. Maybe home viewing suits Wright's vision better. Or perhaps Powell's star power translates more effectively to smaller screens.