The Running Man has an unexpected connection to Pennywise
In the upcoming adaptation of Stephen King’s 1982 novel *The Running Man*, directed by Edgar Wright and set to hit theaters on November 14, 2025, viewers can expect a thrilling blend of horror and dystopian drama, with a notable connection to King’s wider universe. The film follows the desperate Ben Richards, played by Glen Powell, as he navigates a treacherous landscape while being hunted for sport across the Eastern United States. A significant twist is the film’s incorporation of Derry, the infamous fictional town that serves as the backdrop for many of King’s works, particularly *IT*, where the menacing Pennywise the Clown resides. This connection not only adds depth to the narrative but also enriches the viewing experience for fans of King’s extensive literary universe.
In a pivotal scene, Richards encounters Elton Parrakis, portrayed by Michael Cera, a rebellious figure armed with a homemade zine called *The Truth*, which aims to expose the corrupt Network controlling their lives. During this encounter in Derry, Elton’s mother expresses her concern about Richards’ presence, asking, “What if he’s in Derry?” This line serves as a chilling reminder of the town’s dark legacy, as it is synonymous with fear and horror in King’s stories. Furthermore, the film’s setting in Derry is particularly poignant, as it reflects the town’s real-life inspiration, Bangor, Maine, where King penned *IT*. The film cleverly weaves in elements of King’s style, such as the Gothic architecture of Elton’s home, reminiscent of the eerie settings often found in King’s narratives, hinting at a potential connection to the supernatural.
The adaptation of *The Running Man* promises to be not just a thrilling ride but also a fascinating exploration of the intersections between King’s various works. With the film’s incorporation of Derry and its thematic ties to King’s broader universe, fans can look forward to a unique cinematic experience that pays homage to the master of horror while delivering an engaging story of survival and rebellion. As anticipation builds for its release, viewers are encouraged to reflect on the chilling legacy of Derry and what it might mean for Richards’ journey in this dystopian landscape.
If you’re watching
The Running Man
,
don’t expect to outpace the
Stephen King
universe of it all.
There’s a small connection between Edgar Wright’s 2025 adaptation of the horror master’s 1982 novel, and
King’s extended realm of stories
— and it has to do with
IT
‘s dreaded sewer-dwelling
Pennywise the Clown
.
In
The Running Man
, desperate man Ben Richards (Glen Powell) is chased all over the Eastern states of America by hunters for televised entertainment. From New York to Boston to Maine, Richards is pursued, and it’s in this latter location he ends up in a familiar fictional town:
Derry
.
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Stephen King shares his 11-word review of ‘The Running Man’
After encountering locals watching
The Running Man
on an outdoor screen together, Richards meets Elton Parrakis (Michael Cera), a covert rebel and anarchist ready to take down the all-powerful Network with
The Truth
, his homemade zine filled with exposés. We hear Elton’s mother, unaware of her son’s guest, worrying about Richards being somewhere on the run nearby, as she asks, “What if he’s in Derry?”
“What if he’s in Derry?”
Credit: Paramount Pictures
Derry is, of course, Stephen King’s go-to fictional Maine town, based on the town of Bangor. Notably, Derry is also Pennywise’s base of terror in
IT
.
As Mashable’s Sam Haysom explains,
“[Bangor] is the town where the horror master was living when he wrote his novel — a note at the end of
IT
says King started writing the book in Bangor in 1981 and finished a little over four years later. The author has also confirmed in interviews that Derry is essentially a fictionalised version of the Maine town.”
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In King’s
The Running Man
novel, Richard indeed makes it to Derry, though the events are
slightly
different. Another fun element in the film is that Elton and his mom live in a Victorian Gothic mansion with vertical architecture and a turret,
like many Stephen King characters do (and King himself does)
. That includes Pennywise and the dreaded Neibolt House, too. We’re not saying Pennywise lives
in
Elton’s house in
The Running Man
, it’s just a bit of a creepy coincidence.
The Running Man
opens in theaters Nov. 14.
