The Running Man has an unexpected connection to Pennywise
In an exciting crossover of horror and dystopian fiction, Edgar Wright’s upcoming adaptation of Stephen King’s 1982 novel, *The Running Man*, is set to hit theaters on November 14, 2025. This film presents a unique connection to King’s expansive universe, particularly through the chilling town of Derry, Maine, which serves as a backdrop for some of King’s most iconic tales, including *It*. In *The Running Man*, the protagonist Ben Richards, played by Glen Powell, finds himself on the run from ruthless hunters in a televised game show format that spans the Eastern United States. As he navigates this treacherous landscape, he stumbles into the fictional town of Derry, a place laden with its own dark history and sinister undertones.
The mention of Derry in *The Running Man* is more than just a nod to King’s lore; it underscores the interconnectedness of his literary universe. In a pivotal scene, Richards encounters Elton Parrakis, portrayed by Michael Cera, who is a rebellious spirit determined to expose the corrupt Network that controls their lives through his homemade zine, *The Truth*. The film cleverly weaves in local dialogue, with Elton’s mother expressing concern about Richards’ presence in Derry, asking, “What if he’s in Derry?” This line not only heightens the tension of the narrative but also serves as a subtle reminder of the horrors that lurk in the shadows of this fictional town, famously haunted by Pennywise the Clown from *It*.
Derry, modeled after Bangor, Maine, where King resided while writing *It*, has become a staple in King’s storytelling, often embodying the fears and challenges faced by its inhabitants. The Victorian Gothic mansion where Elton and his mother reside adds another layer of eeriness, reminiscent of the homes featured in many of King’s works, including the infamous Neibolt House associated with Pennywise. While the film adaptation may not directly link Elton’s home to the malevolence of Pennywise, the parallels are unmistakable, creating a rich tapestry of horror that fans of King will appreciate. As anticipation builds for *The Running Man*, this intersection of narratives promises to deliver a chilling experience that honors King’s legacy while exploring new cinematic territory.
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.
