Actress Katy O'Brian discussed her role in Edgar Wright's upcoming adaptation of Stephen King's The Running Man, highlighting the director's unique style and old-school approach to filmmaking. In the film, she plays Laughlin, a gender-flipped character in the deadly reality show contest. O'Brian also shared insights on her lead role in the now-playing Christy and her whirlwind career year.
Role in The Running Man
Katy O'Brian joins the cast of The Running Man, Edgar Wright's adaptation of Stephen King's 1982 novel, set to premiere in theaters on November 14, 2025. She portrays Laughlin, an expanded and gender-flipped version of the original character, who participates in the titular deadly reality show alongside Glen Powell's Ben for a chance at fortune. O'Brian, who was cast after impressing Wright with her performance in A24's Love Lies Bleeding, described the script as distinctly Wright's, featuring his signature humor, editing cuts, sound design, and music integration.
"I really admired his sense of humor and all of that, even if it’s the apocalypse or whatever," O'Brian said. "And his cool cuts, his editing choices, the way he slides sound design, music into everything, I think he just makes for a really unique cinematic experience."
The production emphasized rehearsals and table reads, evoking an "old school" method amid modern industry's rush. O'Brian noted Laughlin as a rebellious figure in a dystopian world where survival pushes contestants into high-stakes shows. She performed some stunts, like sliding across a car hood and down a banister, though fewer than usual.
Experiences in Christy and Career Reflections
In Christy, now in theaters, O'Brian stars as real-life boxer Lisa Holewyne, her first portrayal of a historical figure. "It was really intimidating, and the fact that she’s still alive too, and well and very strong, a Hall of Fame boxer—you want to do it right for so many reasons," she explained. The production involved close collaboration with Holewyne, ensuring authenticity.
O'Brian reflected on a busy 2025 with roles in The Running Man, Christy, Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, Queens of the Dead, and Maintenance Required, following credits like Twisters and The Mandalorian. As a queer woman of color, she expressed mixed feelings about limited screen time and industry obstacles, noting an unusually slow year for bookings despite her rising profile. She reunited with Glen Powell from Twisters, praising his drive to revive theater attendance.
O'Brian advocates for original projects over franchises, urging audiences to support theatrical releases to sustain the industry. "If people don’t go watch it in theaters, and you say you want original content, you have to go watch it. You have to go support it," she stated.