The Running Man

"The Running Man" was a critical and commercial success at the time of its release. This Arnold Schwarzenegger-led movie veers its anger at a society in which justice has been transformed into a game show - for a plot that promotes violence and spectacle. An effective opposition movement that comprehends how to use the media against its abusers has also developed.

The US Department of Justice decides to fund any catastrophic game program that makes criminals primetime entertainment. Ben Richards, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, is a law enforcer who has become fodder for the mill.

"The Running Man" is indeed a ludicrous film that might not age well against the test of time. Still, the pull that TV has on its watchers - and how most audiences' perception of the reality varies based on what is broadcast - remains pertinent despite the corny dialogue. We could even say that the bizarreness of "The Running Man" matches that of "Black Mirror", another popular TV series that showcases the darkest corners of human minds.

Year of Release: 1987

Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Maria Conchita Alonso, Richard Dawson

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 66%