Get ready to quench your thirst for adrenaline-pumping action because Liquid Death has officially partnered with the highly anticipated Running Man remake, and it’s a match made in dystopian heaven! But here’s where it gets controversial: can a beverage known for its edgy branding truly align with the grim, life-or-death stakes of Stephen King’s iconic novel? Let’s dive in.
Four years ago, fans of King’s The Running Man (written under his Richard Bachman pseudonym) rejoiced when Edgar Wright signed on to direct a fresh adaptation. The 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger-led film strayed wildly from the source material, leaving many to wonder if the novel’s dark, satirical edge could ever be captured on screen. Fast forward to today, and Wright’s vision is finally coming to life, starring Glen Powell (Top Gun: Maverick, Hit Man) as the desperate yet resilient Ben Richards. Filming wrapped earlier this year, and the movie is set to hit theaters on November 14th. But what’s truly grabbing headlines? Liquid Death has been crowned the official beverage of the film, complete with a hilarious commercial featuring Colman Domingo as his Running Man TV host character, Bobby T. Watch it below—it’s worth every second.
King’s novel paints a chilling picture of a future America where reality TV has become a literal life-or-death game. Set in 2025, The Running Man follows Ben Richards, a man pushed to the brink by his daughter’s illness, who enters a deadly game show to win a billion-dollar jackpot. The catch? He must evade professional assassins—known as Hunters—for 30 days, all while the world watches and profits from his misery. Wright’s adaptation stays true to this premise, adding layers of societal critique and high-stakes tension. But this is the part most people miss: the film isn’t just about survival; it’s a scathing commentary on media exploitation and humanity’s thirst for spectacle. Is it too on-the-nose that a beverage like Liquid Death is tied to a story about commodifying human suffering? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
During a Happy Sad Confused podcast interview, Wright shared his passion for the project, admitting, ‘I like the [1987] film, but I like the book more, and they didn’t really adapt the book. Even as a teenager, I thought, ‘Nobody’s done justice to this story.’ It’s not easy, but it’s something we’re working hard to get right.’ And get it right he has, with a star-studded cast including Josh Brolin as the ruthless producer Dan Killian, Katy O’Brian as a fellow contestant, and Michael Cera as a well-intentioned rebel. The ensemble is rounded out by Emilia Jones, Lee Pace, and Chi Lewis-Parry, among others, ensuring this Running Man will be a far cry from its ’80s predecessor.
But here’s the real question: does pairing a dystopian thriller with a canned water brand trivialize the story’s message, or is it a genius marketing move? Liquid Death’s edgy, rebellious branding certainly aligns with the film’s themes of defiance and survival, but some might argue it’s a distraction from the narrative’s deeper critiques. And this is the part that’ll spark debate: in a world where entertainment and consumerism are increasingly intertwined, is The Running Man holding a mirror up to our own society—or are we too busy sipping Liquid Death to notice?
Will you be grabbing a can of Liquid Death while watching The Running Man? Or does the partnership feel like a misstep? Let us know in the comments below. And if you’re as excited as we are for this film, mark your calendars for November 14th—this is one dystopian thrill ride you won’t want to miss.
