REVIEW: The Running Man (2025 Film) Starring Glen Powell

Review by Jon Donnis

Edgar Wright's 2025 adaptation of The Running Man brings Stephen King's dystopian vision into a sleek, modern action thriller, but it is a strange mix of spectacle and missed opportunity. Set in a near-future United States ruled by a media network that pacifies the poor with violent game shows, the film follows Ben Richards, played with solid charm by Glen Powell, as he is coerced into the titular competition to save his sick daughter. Powell brings grit and determination to the role, making Ben both sympathetic and compelling as he navigates a deadly landscape populated by professional hunters and a bloodthirsty public. Josh Brolin is suitably menacing as Dan Killian, the charismatic producer who manipulates the game for maximum ratings, while Lee Pace's masked Hunter, Evan McCone, adds a cold, methodical threat that keeps the tension high. Supporting turns from Michael Cera, Emilia Jones, and William H. Macy provide light relief and a touch of humanity amidst the carnage.

The film is undeniably entertaining. Wright delivers some spectacular set pieces, from explosive firefights in Boston to high-speed chases through New York and tense sequences in isolated bunkers. Cinematography and visual effects are impressive, giving the world of The Running Man a polished, futuristic sheen, while the pacing rarely lets up. The narrative manages to balance personal stakes with wider social commentary, highlighting economic disparity and the dangers of media manipulation without feeling too heavy-handed. There is a satisfying arc in Ben's journey, culminating in a final confrontation that provides a clear sense of justice and catharsis.

But there are drawbacks. The film lacks memorable dialogue or quotable lines, and the villains, while competent, feel flat compared to the over-the-top antagonists of the 1987 version. Much of the humour and camp that made the original film so endearing has been removed, leaving a more serious, but also more forgettable, tone. The insertion of modern political commentary sometimes feels forced, undermining the otherwise thrilling spectacle. For fans of the original, these changes make the remake feel unnecessarily safe and polished, stripping away much of the charm that gave the 1987 Running Man its cult status.

The Running Man is a slick, fun film with solid performances and plenty of action, but it suffers from being a remake that removes the soul of its predecessor. It works as a popcorn movie and is enjoyable in its own right, yet it begs the question of why a modern update was necessary when a wholly original dystopian action story could have delivered the same excitement. Despite its flaws, it is still an entertaining watch, earning a fair 7 out of 10.

Out Now on Digital

https://apple.co/4q4pprK

PREVIEW: The Vindicator (2026 Film) - Starring Anna Greene

Preview by Jon Donnis

A notorious serial killer turns the tables on a true crime podcast in The Vindicator, a dark new horror that twists obsession with justice into something far more dangerous. Recently released in the US, the film arrives on UK digital platforms on 19 January through Miracle Media.

Directed by Luca Patruno and Brandon Sherrill in their feature debut, The Vindicator follows podcasters Ava, Tommy and Bradley as they chase their biggest story yet. Ava is played by Anna Greene from Down Below, with David W. Rice from Lady Scorpions as Tommy and MacCallister Byrd from Running Point as Bradley. Together they host the popular podcast Serial Chat, built on digging into unsolved cases and notorious killers.

Hoping to unmask one of the most prolific murderers of the 21st century, known as The Vindicator, the trio travel to Arizona to stage a special livestream. Armed with what they believe could be crucial evidence, they prepare for an episode that promises answers and acclaim.

Everything changes when the livestream abruptly cuts out. Instead of silence, the hosts receive a call from the killer himself. What follows is a chilling proposition. If they want the truth, they must play his game. Ava agrees, and the group are set seven questions, each one dragging them closer to the killer's identity while forcing them to confront secrets they would rather keep buried.

As the challenges grow more sinister, the hunt for justice begins to fracture their sanity. The line between investigator and victim blurs, and the cost of curiosity becomes terrifyingly clear.

The Vindicator promises a grisly, unsettling ride where the search for truth is as deadly as the crimes themselves.

The Vindicator is on UK digital 19 January from Miracle Media

PREVIEW: Tabula Rasa (2026 Film) - Starring Macarena Gómez & Carlos Bardem

Preview by Jon Donnis

From Black Mandala comes Tabula Rasa, a psychological thriller directed by Juanfer Andrés and Esteban Roel that leans into sustained tension and carefully placed twists. The film sets out to explore the darker corners of the human psyche, where memory becomes unreliable and the line between reality and madness begins to blur.

The story centres on Leo and her husband Julio, who host a small family gathering at their home. Joining them are Leo's sister Claudia, Claudia's partner Héctor, and their newborn son Izan. What begins as a quiet, intimate celebration takes a disturbing turn when Claudia realises that Izan has vanished. His nanny, Luciana, is also gone, with no explanation and no trace.

The disappearance triggers something buried deep within Leo. Long suppressed psychiatric trauma resurfaces, pulling her into a psychological spiral where her grip on reality starts to weaken. As events unfold, her perception fractures, leaving both Leo and the audience questioning what can truly be trusted.

At the same time, unresolved family tensions begin to surface. Old conflicts and unspoken resentments rise to the surface, forcing Leo to confront uncomfortable truths about her relationships and her past. The film gradually reframes its central mystery into a more unsettling examination of identity, guilt and the consequences of a mind pushed beyond its limits.

Tabula Rasa is directed by Juanfer Andrés and Esteban Roel, from a script by Sofía Cuenca and Juanfer Andrés. The cast includes Macarena Gómez, Carlos Bardem, Amaia Salamanca, Ramón Emilio Candelario, Stephany Liriano, Luis del Valle, Nicolás Mercedes Peña and Pedro Casablanc.

Coming Soon

PREVIEW: The Huntsman (2026 Film) - Starring Shawn Ashmore, Elizabeth Mitchell, Jessy Schram and Garret Dillahunt

By Jon Donnis

Epic Pictures Group has set a North American release for the mystery thriller The Huntsman, with a limited theatrical run beginning on 6 February 2026. The film will then arrive on video-on-demand for rental and purchase on 10 February 2026.

Based on the award-winning novel by Judith Sanders, The Huntsman is directed by Kyle Kauwika Harris from a screenplay he co-wrote with Steven Jon Whritner. The film is executive produced by Frank J. Malinoski and features a cast led by Shawn Ashmore, Elizabeth Mitchell, Jessy Schram and Garret Dillahunt.

The story centres on an ICU nurse whose act of kindness pulls him into a dangerous and unsettling situation. According to the official synopsis, when he volunteers to help a coma patient accused of murdering six women, he becomes trapped in a web of lies, obsession and lethal secrets, while a detective races to uncover the truth before it is too late.

Director Kyle Kauwika Harris says the film explores moral uncertainty, the limits of justice and the fragile nature of truth, creating psychological tension without relying on gratuitous violence. He adds that the real horror lies in what remains unseen, with the story designed to keep audiences questioning every character and moment as themes of grief, guilt and paranoia come to the surface.

Epic Pictures Group CEO Patrick Ewald - "This is the kind of elevated thriller we love backing. Dark, atmospheric, and driven by strong performances, THE HUNTSMAN delivers a smart, twist-forward mystery that keeps the pressure on and audiences guessing until the very end."

REVIEW: Space / Time (2026 Film) - Starring Ashlee Lollback and Hugh Parker

Review by Jon Donnis

Space / Time is a compact and engaging sci-fi thriller set in 2033, exploring the consequences of a radical experiment in bending space itself. The story begins with a promising scientific breakthrough that ends in disaster, leaving the key players discredited and the project abandoned. Into this void steps Holt, played with controlled intensity by Hugh Parker, whose determination to salvage his work drives the narrative forward. With his sharp assistant Liv, portrayed with poise and intelligence by Ashlee Lollback, he descends into the criminal underworld to rebuild the device, creating a tense, high-stakes atmosphere that grips the audience.

The film's strongest asset is its pacing. At under 90 minutes, it wastes no time, moving quickly into the action and keeping the story taut. Once the time travel element kicks in, roughly an hour in, the plot demands full attention, rewarding viewers with clever twists and moral tension. Michael O'Halloran's direction makes the most of a limited Australian budget, delivering surprisingly polished visual effects that elevate the stakes without feeling overblown. Parker and Lollback provide strong central performances, balancing brilliance and obsession with subtle emotional beats. Pacharo Mzembe adds depth to the ensemble, rounding out a cast that holds the story together. The film also distinguishes itself by offering a fresh take on time travel, a genre where originality is rare, giving the story a sense of novelty without unnecessary complexity.

On the downside, the film never fully conveys the actual threat the characters are trying to avert. It hints at global collapse, perhaps tied to climate change, but the stakes remain somewhat abstract. A clearer depiction of the looming danger would have added weight to their urgency and intensified the drama. Despite this, the story maintains enough tension to carry the narrative.

Space / Time is a well-made, well-acted, and visually impressive film that offers an inventive approach to time travel. It is both exciting and thoughtful, rewarding viewers who engage with its ideas and pace. I give Space / Time a solid 8 out of 10.

Out on Digital

Apple TV - https://apple.co/4oRY4rD