The new movie, The Running Man, is based on a Stephen King story, and director Edgar Wright included a subtle nod to his well-known novel, IT. Be aware that the following contains a small spoiler.
The latest Glen Powell film isn’t a remake of the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger movie. Instead, it’s a closer retelling of the original 1982 novel by Stephen King, which he actually published under the name Richard Bachman – one of seven books he wrote using that pseudonym.
In the futuristic thriller The Running Man, Ben Richards (played by Glen Powell) is compelled to compete in a dangerous nationwide game show. He’s hunted across America with the hope of winning a cash prize to cover his daughter’s medical bills. However, this version differs from the original film starring Schwarzenegger, trading enclosed arenas for a broader, more expansive chase.
The movie also cleverly included a nod to the horror classic IT, which is particularly well-timed given that It: Welcome to Derry is now available on HBO.
Ben Richards hides out in Derry during The Running Man
Glen Powell won’t be battling Pennywise in a fight to the death – though a movie like that would likely be a huge success, Warner Bros.! – but his character, Ben Richards, goes into hiding in Derry, Maine, a familiar setting from Stephen King stories, while trying to escape during the gameshow.
The movie The Running Man doesn’t focus on showing the details of the city it takes place in, and it avoids being overly scary because that wouldn’t match the fast-paced, action-packed story. Richards comes to Derry after escaping Boston and joins forces with Elton Perrakis (played by Michael Cera), a political activist who wants to protect Richards and make him a symbol of rebellion against the powerful FreeVee network.
Richards doesn’t stay in Derry for long; Perrakis quickly sends him on to investigate an underground bunker. However, this brief stop is a nice nod to the larger world of Stephen King, especially with the recent popularity of the ‘It: Welcome to Derry’ series captivating horror fans each week.
It’s uncertain if the story of The Running Man happens in the same world as IT and Welcome to Derry. The town’s appearance is probably just a nod to Stephen King’s other writings, and not a continuation of the story after the Losers defeated Pennywise.
Although, it’s clear that Derry isn’t doing great.
In a conversation with Perrakis, we learn the town in The Running Man has suffered economically and socially under the corporate-controlled future. To build new housing, the surrounding forests were destroyed, and the local police force was absorbed into the security team for FreeVee.
Forget scary clowns in the sewers – the real villains are people like producer Dan Killian (Josh Brolin), who create problems for everyday folks.
If you enjoyed The Running Man, explore our list of top Stephen King adaptations, discover the 102 greatest sci-fi films ever made, and learn about the connection between It: Welcome to Derry and The Shining.
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2025-11-14 14:50