Plot Summary: A man joins a game show in which contestants, allowed to flee anywhere in the world, are pursued by "hunters" hired to kill them.

Director: Edgar Wright

Writers: Stephen King, Michael Bacall, Edgar Wright

Runtime: 2 hours 13 mins

• GlenPowell as Ben Richards
• Alex Hoeffler as Suninger
• Lee Pace as Evan McCone
• Sean Hayes as Gary Greenbacks
• Jayme Lawson as Sheila Richards
• Katy O'Brian as Jenni Laughlin
• Josh Brolin as Dan Killian
• Colman Domingo as Bobby T

Review by: Samuel

What I Liked:

The film’s unique visual style and outstanding cast are at the forefront. Director Edgar Wright has created an immersive world where ’90s aesthetics merge seamlessly with advanced future tech. You see cars, clothes, and even speaking mannerism that remind you of the 90s all surrounded by mailbox drones, self- driving vehicles, and cameras that can scan your face, eyes, and DNA.  Like another film I love “Minority Report” there’s a “Big Brother is watching” environment that felt wholly realized. 

On that note, Wright also effectively and efficiently establishes the pecking order of this world. You learn almost immediately (while the opening credits roll) that this class-based society isn’t just rich/poor have/have-not it’s also good/evil. Those living in the slums are treated as less than nothing- given scraps and used as television entertainment. We see a man almost lose his life running on hamster wheel all for scraps of money just to survive…while a gleeful audience laughs and cheers. The city itself is separated by a gate with armed guards to keep the poor out while the rich hide behind that gate in a picturesque utopia. All to say, it’s pretty easy rooting for Ben from the get-go. 

Now, the film’s greatest strengths lie in its performances, particularly Coleman Domingo as the scene-stealing game show host, whose energy is nothing short of “magical.” Every time he comes on screen you become a member of HIS audience. Just for a moment I even lost myself in his charisma, forgetting that he’s hosting a show where people are hunted for sport. Another supporting turn includes a great, comedic performance by Michael Cera, which provides necessary relief from the film’s more serious moments. But of course, the movie wouldn’t stand a chance without Glen Powell’s Ben. Powell himself may be the next big Hollywood guy- insanely likeable, has charm, and always brings charisma. That charisma oozes out of him in this performance. Ben is easy enough to root for as the underdog treated badly for doing the right thing, but Powell brings a righteous anger to the role that makes you not just root for him but BELIEVE in him. As the star, you know he must make it to certain points in the film, but his survival is not at all guaranteed. By the third act, you are not just hoping he can win the game but that he can keep a promise he made and “burn the whole thing down.” 

Finally, the action sequences were good for their part. The film doesn’t maintain a high-octane pace as you might expect, but when it is time for Ben to run and/or defend himself, those scenes were a spectacle to behold supported by an amazing head banging soundtrack. 

What I Didn’t Like:

The primary weaknesses center on the pacing and narrative logic. Despite a straightforward premise about on a man constantly “on the run,” the film suffered from noticeable pacing issues and unexpected slow sections that broke the high-octane tension. This sluggishness often occurred when the movie focused heavily on the societal “have vs. have-not” themes, which the film tried to over-evoke unnecessarily. That aspect of the film played a much bigger part than advertised, so the movie stopping to address it (multiple times) was bit of a momentum stopper. 

Another drawback is the unrealistic speed with which supporting characters offered help to the protagonist, often instantly agreeing to major risks after minimal interaction. 

Lastly, the film’s climax fight sequence was a bit of a disappointment. It had an awesome setup and great location so I expected a high-stakes, explosive finale, and instead found the scene to be oddly “safe” and less impactful than anticipated.

Images Courtesy of IMDB