By 2017, the global economy has collapsed and U.S. society has become a totalitarian police state, censoring all cultural activity. The government pacifies the populace by broadcasting a number of game shows in which convicted criminals fight for their lives, including the gladiator-style The Running Man, hosted by the ruthless Damon Killian, where “runners” attempt to evade “stalkers” and certain death for a chance to be pardoned and set free.
Acting
Richard Dawson's slimy game show host is uncomfortably perfect.
Production
Gloriously tacky future-fashion and LED-drenched sets.
Writing
Cheesy quips that somehow predicted 2020s media circus.
Director
Paul Michael Glaser
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Ben Richards
Richard Dawson
Damon Killian
María Conchita Alonso
Amber Mendez
Yaphet Kotto
William Laughlin
Jim Brown
Fireball
Jesse Ventura
Captain Freedom
Erland van Lidth
Dynamo
Professor Toru Tanaka
Subzero
Mick Fleetwood
Mic
Dweezil Zappa
Stevie
Karen Leigh Hopkins
Brenda
Sven-Ole Thorsen
Sven
Edward Bunker
Lenny
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Stephen King wrote the novel under pseudonym Richard Bachman; the film ditched most of his bleak social commentary for explosions.
Richard Dawson based Killian on his own Family Feud persona, making the cheerful manipulation extra queasy.
US
