A sly whisky surprise in the new The Running Man film

In the new film adaptation of The Running Man: a modern reimagining of Stephen King’s story, we were surprised to spot a whisky cameo. This time, Johnnie Walker Blue Label gets a small but notable supporting role.

In an early hotel scene, just before the protagonist begins his first day in a deadly game, there are not one but two bottles of Johnnie Walker Blue Label on the table. The whisky doesn’t drive the plot, but it adds an intriguing touch to an otherwise high-octane, off-the-wall story.

The night before he enters the infamous game, where contestants fight for their lives under the gaze of millions. The protagonist seeks a quiet moment in his hotel room.

The room is modern, almost clinical, a stark contrast to the chaos that awaits him. On the table in front of him sit two bottles of Blue Label: one opened, one still perfectly sealed.

Ben Richards (played by Glen Powell) slowly pours himself a dram. The camera lingers on his expression and his thoughts. He has to survive the game for the next 30 days, even though he knows no one ever has.

The glass of whisky isn’t a dramatic catalyst, but a small human gesture in an inhuman situation. A quiet moment of reflection in a film otherwise driven by tension, action, and the instinct to survive.

What stands out is that the second bottle remains untouched. The next morning, when the production team arrives to collect Richards for the first round, he politely returns the unopened bottle.

It’s a subtle move, but it speaks volumes. Where the first sip helps him gather his thoughts, the full bottle symbolizes his refusal to treat this night as a possible “last.” It’s a quiet, deeply personal act of defiance: he’s entering the game convinced he’ll make it back. At least, that’s how we read the scene.

Have you already seen the film and spotted the whisky? Let us know in the comments below.

Correct answer to the quiz: Arnold Schwarzenegger.