Ahead of a major cinematic remake, a wildly entertaining piece of science fiction history has just landed on Netflix for UK audiences. The original 1987 film The Running Man, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, is now available to stream, sparking a wave of nostalgia and renewed interest.
An 80s Dystopian Masterpiece
Directed by Paul Michael Glaser, The Running Man is set in a near-future America controlled by a totalitarian state. The plot follows Ben Richards, a police officer framed for a crime he didn't commit. Forced to participate in a deadly televised game show, Richards must fight for his life as he is hunted for public entertainment.
The film is a quintessential product of its time, featuring a neon-lit, blood-spattered vision of the future. It masterfully blends social satire with musclebound spectacle, cementing its status as a gloriously bonkers entry in the dystopian sci-fi canon.
Fans and new viewers are rediscovering its unique charm. A reviewer on Rotten Tomatoes, Ray C, described it as ‘wildly entertaining and full of 80s cheese’, praising Schwarzenegger at his peak action-hero status. The performance of Richard Dawson as the sadistic game show host was also highlighted as a standout.
From Schwarzenegger to Powell: A Story Reinvented
The resurgence of the original film comes just before the release of a highly anticipated remake in 2025. Directed by Alex Garland of Ex Machina fame, the new version promises a sharper and more faithful adaptation of the original 1982 novel by Stephen King, who wrote it under the pseudonym Richard Bachman.
This reinterpretation returns to the story's darker roots. The hero, Ben Richards, will be portrayed by Glen Powell. This version of Richards is a righteous but angry everyman, repeatedly fired from construction and mining jobs for challenging corrupt bosses. His motivation becomes desperately personal when his young daughter falls ill and he cannot afford her medication. In a final gamble, he signs up for the 'Running Man' game, where contestants must evade capture for 30 days to win a $1 billion prize. The brutal twist? If the show's 'Hunters' catch them, they are executed live on air.
Early buzz suggests that Powell's version is ‘smart, fast-paced, and action-packed’, combining intense chase sequences with pointed political commentary.
Why The Running Man Still Resonates
Viewers are finding that the film's potent mix of absurdity and allegory remains powerfully relevant. One viewer, Fifty T, shared their experience of finally watching the original, partly inspired by the upcoming remake. They celebrated it as ‘pure 80s Arnold at his most entertainingly excessive’.
Another fan, Paul S, appreciated the film's deeper message, noting that despite some corny one-liners, the movie was amazing. He highlighted its ‘beautiful dystopian atmosphere’ and its powerful theme of defying tyranny.
Ultimately, whether you are revisiting Schwarzenegger's iconic one-liners or preparing for Powell's more grounded take, The Running Man continues to serve as a stark mirror to our own society's obsession with spectacle and the vast inequalities between extreme poverty and ultra-wealth.
The Running Man (1987) is streaming now on Netflix. The 2025 remake, starring Glen Powell, arrives in cinemas next week.
