The Running Man (1987) • REBROADCAST

We're bringing this episode back as Hollywood unveils its reimagining of The Running Man in theatres! While audiences experience this fresh take on Stephen King's dystopian thriller, we thought it was the perfect time to revisit our deep dive into the 1987 Schwarzenegger classic that first brought this dark vision of reality TV to the screen. Whether you're a longtime fan or discovering the original after seeing the new version, join us for this exploration of spandex, explosions, and some of Arnold's most memorable one-liners.Arnold Schwarzenegger Meets Dystopian Game ShowsWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast! Join hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell as they tackle The Running Man (1987), Arnold Schwarzenegger's campy dystopian thriller where convicted criminals fight for their lives on America's most popular game show. Set in a totalitarian 2017 where the economy has collapsed and reality TV has become bloodsport, this movie delivers exactly what you'd expect: explosions, terrible one-liners, and an absurd amount of spandex-clad dancers.From Sub-Zero to Plain-ZeroKrissy and Nathan dive deep into the film's bizarre logic, questioning everything from head-exploding collars to the geography of the deadly game arena. They discuss how The Running Man predicted our current era of fake news and manipulated media—making it surprisingly more relevant today than when it was released. The hosts analyze Arnold's performance as Ben Richards, a wrongfully accused helicopter pilot who refuses to massacre civilians and ends up forced into the deadliest game show ever created. They debate whether his character is supposed to be likable (spoiler: he's kind of an a-hole to everyone) and celebrate Richard Dawson's MVP performance as the mustache-twirling villain Damon Killian.The conversation explores the film's kinship with other dystopian classics like RoboCop and Demolition Man, highlighting how it fits into that late-'80s trend of criticizing Reaganomics through sci-fi satire. Nathan and Krissy particularly enjoy dissecting the various "stalkers"—from chainsaw-wielding Buzzsaw to the singing, electrocuting Dynamo—and debate which of Arnold's infamous one-liners actually lands. They also can't help but wonder about the logistics: How do contestants actually win without killing stalkers? Why are the Running Man dancers given so much screen time? And how did the resistance set up headquarters inside the game arena?Additional Thoughts:The movie earns bonus points for "The Justice Department, Entertainment Division" and parody shows like "The Hate Boat" and "Climbing for Dollars"Jesse Ventura's Captain Freedom has the second-biggest character arc in the film (which isn't saying much)The crowd's ability to flip loyalties on a dime strains credibility, even for a ridiculous action movieNathan gives it a 7 out of 10 (but warns first-time viewers will probably rate it lower)The film failed the "Rocket Test"—Krissy's son bailed halfway through his first viewingFinal VerdictBoth hosts agree that The Running Man isn't objectively great, but it's undeniably fun—the kind of movie that gets better with repeat viewings as you embrace the camp. Nathan describes it as a "picante lime potato chip" that you have to get addicted to first. For deep cut recommendations, Nathan suggests Death Race 2000 (1975) as the perfect double feature, while Krissy recommends marathon-watching all four Expendables movies for similar over-the-top action glory.Want more Most Excellent 80s Movies content?Visit TruStory FM to explore The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast and other great shows. Members get early, ad-free episodes plus exclusive bonus content—learn more at trustory.fm/join.Connect with the hosts: Check out Krissy at Neighborhood Comedy Theatre and Nathan at Squishy Studios. Follow the show on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky.What's your favorite Arnold Schwarzenegger one-liner from The Running Man—or do you think you could write a better pun than "Sub-Zero, more like Plain-Zero"? ---Learn more about supporting this podcast by becoming a member. It's just $5/month or $55/year. Visit our website to learn more.