Read this review to find out if The Running Man (1982) is worth reading.

A gripping review of The Running Man, Stephen King’s dystopian classic about one man’s fight for survival, that exposes a brutal media-obsessed future.

About: The Running Man (1982)

Author: Stephen King (as Richard Bachman)
Release Date: May 01, 1982
Publisher: Signet Books
Description: “In the year 2025, the best men don’t run for president, they run for their lives… Ben Richards is out of work and out of luck. His eighteen-month-old daughter is sick, and neither Ben nor his wife can afford to take her to a doctor. For a man from the poor side of town with no cash and no hope, there’s only one thing to do: become a contestant on one of the Network’s Games, shows where you can win more money than you’ve ever dreamed of—or die trying. Now Ben’s going prime-time on the Network’s highest-rated viewer participation show. And he’s about to become a prey for the masses…”

Ben Richards, an unemployed loser with a wife, becomes a contestant on the reality show, The Running Man, to earn money for his daughter’s medicine. The book bears little resemblance to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s flick, but is a gripping, breezy read that focuses on the suspense and danger of the show. Richards’s deep character and sense of desperation make him a potential parent of the Hunger Games. The Running Man is a gripping, breezy read, far from the bloated gargantuan of Stephen King’s later books.

Overall: Skip The Running Man (1982)

The movie bears no resemblance to the movie. Instead of an action-packed thriller, it’s a thoughtful exploration of a dystopian world. In that way, it’s kind of a disappointment. The appeal of the movie is the over-the-top action by a muscle-bound hero. The book has a more thoughtful hero who thinks his way out of problems as he’s hunted across the country.

The story has a brutal, cynical feel, with the Network demonizing contestants and turning everyday citizens into vigilantes. The story ends with a surprising twist, but Ben plays by his own rules, and the outcome is not what the audience expected.

Some distracting aspects include King’s depiction of the future, which is a little off-putting, and Evan McCone’s performance as the main hunter. While he is supposed to be the most ruthless, fearless, resourceful, and clever killer, he is average in his role. Overall, the story is a good example of the challenges faced by individuals in a dystopian society. But it’s definitely not one of King’s best works, and if you’re a fan of the movie, it’s ultimately pointless.

I’m giving The Running Man 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Content Warning: There are content warnings throughout the entire book. There are offensive and vulgar words used without any kind of filter. Though relatively few vices are depicted vividly on the page, the book lists every vice you can think of. The level of violence is pretty extreme, with one scene graphically describing a disembowelment.

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