Pop Culture Happy Hour

Episode: The Running Man And What's Making Us Happy
Date: November 14, 2025
Host: Linda Holmes (NPR)
Guests: Ronald Young Jr. (Leaving the Theater), Rihanna Cruz (freelance music and culture journalist)

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the newly released film adaptation of Stephen King’s "The Running Man" (directed by Edgar Wright and starring Glen Powell). The panel revisits the story’s dystopian themes, compares the 2025 film to previous versions, and discusses its relevance in today’s cultural and social context. The conversation includes criticism of the film’s messaging and casting choices. The second segment features the weekly "What's Making Us Happy" recommendations from each panelist.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Overview of "The Running Man" (2025)

• Context & Premise (00:21 – 01:14)
  • The original story (written by Stephen King under "Richard Bachman") depicts a dystopian future of authoritarian rule and exploitative entertainment.
  • Glen Powell stars as Ben Richards, a desperate father who volunteers as prey on a lethal TV game show called "The Running Man."
  • Differences from the 1987 Schwarzenegger movie: The new film is more faithful to the original novel’s bleakness.
  • Edgar Wright directs, with a high-profile supporting cast.

2. Initial Reactions and Comparison to Previous Versions

• Ronald Young Jr.: (02:45 – 03:51)

  • Prefers this adaptation over the 1987 film.
  • Appreciates the updated societal perspective:
    “This movie has a perspective that fits better for 2025... when I walk out, I'm going to be thinking about where we are now as a society and how this film fits into that vision...” (02:56)
  • However, feels the film stumbles on its revolutionary and social justice messages, which reduces his desire for repeat viewings.

• Rihanna Cruz: (03:53 – 05:20)

  • Finds the chase/gameplay sequences captivating and highlights strong world-building (“fun twink cereal,” fake Kardashian shows, hamster wheel trivia).
  • Enjoys the side characters, especially Colman Domingo.
  • Critiques: Social justice messages feel heavy-handed; questions Glen Powell’s casting (“a little too damn charming to sell the anger the script needs”).

• Linda Holmes: (05:20 – 07:34)

  • Enjoyed this version more than her co-panelists, especially as someone familiar with the book and King’s original tone.
  • Notes that the new film restores some of the source material’s bleakness, missing from the Schwarzenegger adaptation.
  • Appreciated Powell’s performance, felt his affability balanced the film’s tone.
  • Loves Michael Cera’s sequence, citing it as a clear mark of Edgar Wright’s style.

3. Thematic Critique: Social Justice & Messaging

• Missed Opportunities in Revolutionary Themes
  (07:34 – 11:56)
  • Ronald:
    "If you're going to be anti capitalist...you can't stop short of naming it and turning everyone towards that being the bad guy." (07:39)
    • Believes the film sidesteps true collective action and falls back on frustrating individualism.
  • Rihanna:
    • Finds Michael Cera’s revolutionary character more authentic.
    • Notes other 2025 films push pro-revolutionary messages more effectively, referencing “The Long Walk.”
    • The film feels like “gesturing” at something important but not delivering on it.
  • Both panelists agree: the film raises issues (class, fatphobia, race) but doesn’t fully “grapple” with them.

4. Structural/Casting Critique & Pacing

• Corniness and Drag in the Second Half
  (15:04 – 17:33)

  • Rihanna: First half “establishes the stakes” and is engaging; second half drags due to forced messaging—describes the conclusion as a “deflated balloon” and “corny.”
  • Linda: The film, like the book, falters when introducing the female lead (Emilia Jones):
    “I was like, this character’s boring. They don’t know what they’re doing with this character.” (15:55)
  • Ronald: Issues arise when characters are written without clear intent or function, making interactions “messy and half-baked.”

• Positive Notes

  • All agree the chase and action sequences are fun and a highlight:
    “What I most wanted...was just as a movie experience. Listen, it's The Running Man. Let's have him run a lot, you know, like, let’s hit the gas.” – Linda (14:03)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the setting’s relevance:
  “This movie has a perspective that fits better for 2025.”
  — Ronald Young Jr. (02:56)

• On Glen Powell as Ben Richards:
  “He’s a little too damn charming to sell the anger that the script needs … He kind of loses me on the more sentimental.”
  — Rihanna Cruz (04:38)

• On the film’s revolutionary themes:
  “If you watch this movie...everything he accomplished was with help from someone else. Yet it still posits that as an individual he will spark the revolution.”
  — Ronald Young Jr. (08:34)

• On Michael Cera’s performance:
  “He gives this performance that I do believe that he's actually embodying the messages that he's putting out there in the world. But maybe because that feels so authentic and it feels so real...”
  — Rihanna Cruz (09:19)

• On adaptation limitations:
  “Ultimately, you're never gonna get a truly anti capitalist film made in this system at this scale.”
  — Linda Holmes (13:23)

• On the main strength:
  “It’s a better like action hang than it is a sociological statement.”
  — Linda Holmes (14:44)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-----------|--------------| | 00:21 | Episode setup and film summary | | 02:45 | Ronald Young Jr.’s first impressions | | 03:53 | Rihanna Cruz’s take | | 05:20 | Linda Holmes’s perspective and comparison to source material | | 07:34 | Panel discussion on anti-capitalist themes and ending | | 10:41 | Social commentary on fatphobia and race in the film | | 13:23 | On limits of anti-capitalist films in Hollywood | | 14:03 | Praise for action/chase sequences | | 15:04 | The film’s second-half issues, critique of the female lead | | 17:33 | Final reservations and strengths |

What's Making Us Happy This Week

(20:07 – End)

Ronald Young Jr. (20:14)

• Physical: 100 and Physical: Asia (Netflix)
  • Competitive reality series featuring contestants from across Asia facing physical challenges.
  • Praises the diversity of athleticism and national teams.

Rihanna Cruz (21:58)

• Drake & PARTYNEXTDOOR’s Album "Some Sexy Songs For You"
  • Describes as a “grower” and surprisingly enjoyable, despite previous reservations.
  • “Broken clock is right twice a day. Some sexy songs for you is one of those times.” (23:02)

Linda Holmes (23:32)

• Podcast "The Wedding Scammer"
  • Investigative podcast about an elaborate scam affecting journalists and later, wedding planners.
  • Commends its nuanced portrayal of the scammer and recommends it, especially for road trips.

Summary & Tone

The panel delivers a cheerful yet critical discussion, typical of Pop Culture Happy Hour’s conversational style. The hosts balance genuine enjoyment of the film’s action with thoughtful—but never dour—criticism of its social and political ambitions. The “What’s Making Us Happy” segment is playful and light-hearted, bringing forward new pop culture discoveries with characteristic good humor.

Listen For...

• The nuanced debate around adaptation and what gets lost or softened moving from bleak novels to big-screen features.
• Insightful (and occasionally snarky) commentary about the limitations of Hollywood’s approach to anti-capitalist stories.
• Disagreement but mutual respect over hot takes, notably around Glen Powell’s casting and the film’s second half.
• Lively, honest recommendations to close out the show.