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The Running Man

year 1987decade 80sdirector Paul Michael Glasergenre Science fiction / Action

101 minutes

Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Arnold Schwarzenegger Ben Richards
María Conchita Alonso Amber Mendez
Yaphet Kotto William Laughlin
Richard Dawson Damon Killian
Jim Brown Fireball
Jesse Ventura Captain Freedom
Marvin J. McIntyre Harold Weiss
Gus Rethwisch Buzzsaw

The Running Man | The Rewatchables

host Bill Simmonshost Kyle Brandtproducer Craig Horlbeck
Explore episodeClose episode

Most Rewatchable Scene

One choice is the six-minute cheerleader, Buzzsaw entrance, Killian entrance, doctored-massacre, and launch stretch; Craig Horlbeck prefers every studio cutaway with Richard Dawson. The escape, Captain Freedom workout, airport, Killian recruitment, stalker fights, old-lady selection, fake Captain Freedom kill, recovered footage, and Killian finale are alternatives.

In the discussion (13)
Approx. transcript time · 00:26:02Read transcript
  • The original Bakersfield footage is praised as setup rather than selected as a rewatchable scene.
  • The Wilshire detention-zone escape and Chico running too early are nominated.
  • Captain Freedom’s workout tape is nominated and called a favorite part of the movie.
  • Captain Freedom’s cheap costume and visible steroid use add to the workout-and-green-room material.
  • Richards taking Amber through a permissive 1980s airport is nominated.
  • Killian asking Richards to volunteer and receiving a blunt refusal is a favorite exchange.
  • The aerobics cheerleaders, Buzzsaw and Killian entrances, doctored massacre, and pod launch are selected as a favorite six-minute stretch.
  • The fight with the ice-themed stalker is fun but feels too short, and the plain-zero line reading becomes part of its appeal.
  • The Dynamo opera fight is nominated mainly for the Christmas-tree and light-bulb insults.
  • The old woman choosing Ben Richards is a brief scene nominee.
  • The fake Captain Freedom murders are nominated as both a deepfake spectacle and a rigged-gambling scandal.
  • The restored Bakersfield footage, Killian’s television speech, and his final exchange with Richards are praised as the ending.
  • Craig Horlbeck chooses any studio sequence in which Richard Dawson hosts the game show. — Craig Horlbeck

The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance

Chico is floated as a Dion Waiters candidate for making his roughly twelve seconds memorable.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:27:10Read transcript
  • Chico is explicitly compared to a Dion Waiters performance because his brief appearance is so effective.
  • His premature sprint and exploding head are compared with famous embarrassing football runs.

What’s Aged the Best?

The long future-setting graphic, invented reality shows, first ten minutes, Richard Bachman pen name, old-age Mick Fleetwood makeup, Captain Freedom, net tasers, the dystopian Los Angeles setting, and Harold Faltermeyer’s score are praised; several observations also have mixed or negative qualifications.

In the discussion (16)
Approx. transcript time · 00:43:04Read transcript
  • The opening graphic that declares society collapsed by 2017 immediately sells the premise.
  • Climbing for Dollars feels like a plausible modern streaming competition show despite its blunt name.
  • The unexplained Hate Boat is praised as a reality-show concept that could work now.
  • Captain Freedom is compared to a steroidal modern sideline reporter.
  • The first ten minutes move efficiently from the future graphic through the helicopter, prison, Chico, and Dawson.
  • Stephen King publishing as Richard Bachman is praised as a pen-name power move.
  • Mick Fleetwood’s future-age makeup is said to resemble how he looks decades later.
  • Dynamo’s vehicle is compared to a contemporary Tesla truck.
  • Arnold’s conspicuously fake early beard exemplifies an enjoyable 1980s action-movie convention.
  • The conveniently fitted World’s Gym shirt and construction hat make Richards’s escape outfit funny.
  • The net tasers used on the airport tarmac are praised as useful futuristic weapons.
  • The film’s run-down future Los Angeles looks uncomfortably close to present-day Los Angeles.
  • Harold Faltermeyer’s score gives the movie weight; its similarity to cop two prompts speculation that musical ideas were reused.
  • The podcast says the actor it names as “Erlin Van Liff” was a real baritone, performed Dynamo’s singing, and died in the film’s release year.
  • American Gladiators is said to have drawn direct inspiration from The Running Man.
  • Possible Hate Boat formats include people who already hate each other, loving couples breaking apart, and separated couples forced to get along with their children at sea.

The Butch’s Girlfriend Award for the Weakest Link in the Film

The underdeveloped stalker fights are the weak link, with the missing Richards-versus-Sven fight singled out as a lost opportunity.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:53:04Read transcript
  • The stalker fights feel brief and thin compared with later action choreography.
  • Killian assumes Sven can stop Richards despite Richards already defeating the other stalkers.
  • Sven delivers an unintelligible only line and then walks away instead of fighting Richards.

What’s Aged the Worst?

The outdated graphics, context-dependent Richard Dawson stunt casting, weak futuristic guns, Dynamo’s assault scene, Arnold’s reduced physique, and poor dialogue are criticized; Yaphet Kotto’s death scene suffers most from the writing.

In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 00:55:35Read transcript
  • The opening graphics look unmistakably cheap and mid-1980s.
  • Richard Dawson’s casting is harder to appreciate without knowing his former game-show stature.
  • The futuristic machine guns sound less intimidating than ordinary contemporary weapons.
  • Dynamo’s abrupt sexual assault on Amber makes the movie turn needlessly dark.
  • Arnold’s reduced biceps and lack of a shirtless scene reflect a back injury rather than character preparation.
  • The dialogue repeatedly undercuts the movie’s visuals and cast.
  • Yafakoto gives a committed death performance but receives a weak final line.

What’s Aged the Best?

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s entrance carrying a metal beam echoes his tree-carrying entrance in Commando and is praised as a recurring star image.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:57:30Read transcript
  • The metal-beam entrance is singled out as an Aged the Best answer because it mirrors Arnold carrying a tree in Commando.

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Fireball ranks worst, behind Dynamo, Sub-Zero, and Buzzsaw; a separate argument says the premise should have produced a great video game.

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 01:00:12Read transcript
  • The ranking places Fireball fourth because he is never chosen, cannot catch the runners, and folds when his fuel line fails.
  • The ranking places Dynamo third.
  • The ranking places the ice-themed stalker second because he hurts and briefly knocks out Richards but never gets the kill.
  • The ranking places Buzzsaw first because he records a kill and challenges Richards longest.
  • A separate argument is that The Running Man should have become a level-based action video game with distinct stalkers and a final Killian objective.
  • Fortnite and GoldenEye are cited as later games showing why the premise could work.

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

Kurt Fuller, heard in the machine transcript as “Kurt Fowler,” wins immediately for Tony, Killian’s sniveling television executive aide.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:08:08Read transcript
  • Killian’s right-hand man is identified in the transcript as “Kurt Fowler,” the observed machine-transcript form for Kurt Fuller.
  • His similar television-executive roles in No Holds Barred and Wayne’s World make him instantly recognizable.
  • Ghostbusters II is cited as another role in which he plays an abrasive authority figure.

The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance

The old woman who selects Ben Richards wins; Sub-Zero and Buzzsaw are considered, while the emphatic $200-on-Richards bettor is another one-line alternative.

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:08:54Read transcript
  • Dynamo is rejected and Sven is ruled out because he cannot deliver his only line clearly.
  • Sub-Zero and Buzzsaw receive brief consideration.
  • The old woman wins for choosing Ben Richards and delivering the line that cable broadcasts censor.
  • The bettor shouting that he wants $200 on Richards is an alternate for the energy of his single line.

Apex Mountain

Arnold is approaching but has not reached his apex; Dawson is placed below his simultaneous Match Game and Family Feud peak; Jesse Ventura is debated against becoming governor; Yaphet Kotto and futuristic-action movies have stronger alternatives. The Maserati limo, predictive fake reality shows, and Dynamo’s opera performance are additional answers.

In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 01:12:03Read transcript
  • Arnold’s apex is placed later around Total Recall or Terminator 2.
  • Dawson’s apex is placed when Match Game and Family Feud overlapped, rather than this final film role.
  • Ventura’s Running Man, Predator, and WrestleMania 3 year is debated against his later governorship.
  • One answer points to Homicide or another cop show, while the movie answer is Midnight Run.
  • Terminator 2, Total Recall, and RoboCop outrank this film as futuristic action peaks.
  • The film’s unusual Maserati stretch limousine is praised as an emblematic 1980s movie vehicle.
  • The fake reality shows that predicted the future receive an Apex answer.
  • Dynamo singing “The Marriage of Figaro” is offered as an Apex performance that may never have been done better.

Cruise or Hanks?

Tom Cruise wins because the role requires constant running and would suit his intensity.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:14:35Read transcript
  • Cruise is imagined in the jumpsuit, racing across the tarmac, and reacting to the false massacre charge.

Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake

A sequel movie is preferred. A Killian-rise prequel with young Captain Freedom and a plot in which Richards’s re-educated brother becomes a stalker are also proposed; an eight-episode series is rejected.

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:19:40Read transcript
  • A sequel could update the premise for deepfakes and modern reality television.
  • A prequel could follow Killian taking over the show and feature a young Captain Freedom.
  • Richards’s disappeared brother could have been re-educated into a stalker he must fight.
  • Asked to choose between a sequel movie and an eight-episode series, the hosts choose the movie.

What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?

A preferred choice is a VHS of Captain Freedom’s workout; alternatives include a Cadre Cola bottle, home game, Hate Boat poster, yellow jumpsuit, and Dynamo applause sign.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:26:19Read transcript
  • A Cadre Cola bottle, Running Man home game, and set-used Hate Boat poster are offered.
  • A game-worn yellow suit and modified Dynamo applause sign are alternatives.
  • A VHS of Captain Freedom’s workout is selected for sincere use at home.

Who Won the Movie?

Richard Dawson wins by consensus over Arnold Schwarzenegger because Dawson’s Killian is the surprise performance and a major part of his screen legacy.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:27:03Read transcript
  • Richard Dawson is chosen because audiences would have left the theater surprised by his performance.
  • A separate argument favors Dawson’s stronger performance and the importance of Killian to his screen legacy.
  • The hosts explicitly agree to give the movie to Dawson.
Podcast choices
Speaker not identified
Richard Dawson
Speaker not identified
Richard Dawson