The Running Man (2025 film)

The Running Man is a 2025 American action film about a man in a dystopian future who joins a game show in which contestants, allowed to flee anywhere in the world, are pursued by "hunters" hired to kill them. It is a remake of the 1987 film

Directed and produced by Edgar Wright and co-screenplay adapted with Michael Bacall.

Survive 30 days while the world hunts you down.(taglines)

Ben Richards

• [To daughter after seeing The Running Man recruiting TV commercial] Don't worry. Daddy's not that crazy.
• [To daughter while watching Speed The Wheel ] Oh, look at the fuzzy hamster! Did you see the fuzzy hamster?
• [To daughter while watching Speed The Wheel, learning that a Net-Air Flying-V Luxury Jetliner has six toilets in a trivia question] The rich are even more full of shit than daddy thought.
• [To interview teller after punching and shattering barrier glass] You mention my daughter again, they don't make glass thick enough to stop me from choking you out!
• No best dog shit, still dog shit.
• [Bobby T asks Ben how long he'll think he will last in the game] More than enough... to burn this building down and everyone in it! How small... does your dick have to be, to sit out there? Fuck you!
• [To boy spying on him between train seats] You say anything, I will kill you so fast your mom won't even wake up.
• [To hotel receptionist in day time] Just... have a good night. Day. You know what? Have both.
• Rules say I have to be on camera ten minutes a day. They didn't say which part. So... I guess you can watch my ass take a nap. [Lies on bed with back to camera, slaps his gluteus cheeks and gives the finger]
• [Voice of thought] You know, I've always been the guy who followed the rules. I showed up to work first, I left last. [Out loud when he finds a soda pop can in hotel room fridge] Nice. [Voice of thought] Hasn't done much for me, obviously. I mean, I'm on the murder show. Ah, but what are you gonna do? Take on the whole world? [Out loud when going through a personal effects box] Sweet. [Voice of thought] So here I am, a grown-ass man playing hide-and-seek for money. [Outloud when grenade falls out box] Please don't. [Whispers to higher powers] Thank you. [Voice of thought] I think I'll just lay low. Keep it cool. Try not to burn out.
• [Doing voiceover for three men loitering in street below hotel window] Hey, Jim. How do you like this energy wine? I'm a big fan. Love it. How about you, Bill? That's pretty much my favorite thing, Jim. So, uh, guys. You mind if I ask you a personal question? Why do we all have the same voice? [Looks at watch to read "MAIL YOUR TAPE"]Relax, Ben. Mail later. [Referring to Running Man hunter disguised as a ranting schizophrenic homeless man in alley] Good to see you too, Frank. Give it a rest, Frank. At least you got someone to talk to. Damn, son.
• [To the camera] Stop filming me!
• [To Hunters in a hotel basement with explosives and a fire breaking out] Get out of here! The place is about to blow!
• [To Running Man camera] I'm still here, you shit-eaters! [Displays the finger gesture]
• [In a video log] For all you watching, not the execs. Not the technicos. If you live in a tower uptown, I'm not talking to you. I'm talking to the people in the co-ops. The ones who can't get a job. The squatter tribes. The kids getting shot for looking at a goon the wrong way. There's something you all need to know. The network is giving our kids cancer and they are covering it up.
• [In a Running Man studio produced fake video added to the end of Ben's children's cancer video log] There's something you all need to know. I laughed my ass off smoking those goons! And I wasn't just laughing at the screams! I was laughing at their kids! Now you know how it felt when daddy did it to someone else! Bring them all on!
• Fuck it. I am the initiator.
• This message is for Kathy. In case you see her someday. Wanted to impart a little dad advice. Rule one. Take care of your mom. She's your best friend. Rule two. Bullies are cowards. Hit back. Rule three. You can be kind and strong at the same time. Rule four. Don't trust the network. Ever. And rule five. You remember your mom. Your daddy loves you a whole lot. I'll be looking out for you. No matter what.
• [Video message] This is the message for Killian. Hey, Dan. Man, I'm starting to get how this game works. [Becomes voiceover as hit squad approaches house] It's not about me winning or losing. It's about your ratings. About how much chaos I can cause. [Hit squad enters house to see "YOU MAIL IT" written in dust on floor] I'm taking this thing all the way to the end. [Climbing up Interstate 95 freeway overpass] And I'm done playing defense, I promise you that. So here's the deal. I will see my family again. And as long as they keep getting paid... you can put whoever you want in front of me. I will run through all of them. I know you fight dirty. Well, guess what, you son of a bitch. I'm from Slumside. Let's throw the rule book out. Here's to mutually profitable annihilation. You want a show? [Sees The Running Man hovering camera balls] Damn it. [Voiceover] I'll give you a show.
• [To Amelia after getting in her vehicle, referring to NGC] Those goons are going to frag us if you don't back this car up right now!
• Nothing I've done on this show makes me a hero. I tried to be a hero once, and they blacklisted my ass. My daughter got sick. This is the only job I could get. It seems like the whole point of Free-Vee is to make us hate each other so they can keep stealing from us while we fight in the mud. You want the truth? Turn it off. We are all being fucked by the Network. Find out who really runs it. Record, report them. Get their names. You just met one of 'em. Dan Killian. You remember that face. Don’t watch Free-Vee. Watch who pays for it. Turn it off.
• In five. Four. Three. Two. One. And action.

Dan Killian

• [Ben enters Dan's office] Vita non est periculum. "It is not death that man should fear, but never beginning to live". [Invites Ben to sit who complies] You know, critics say the Running Man represents a return to the barbarism of the Roman Colosseum. I disagree. [Ben claims he is not doing the Running Man] I'm aware of your family crisis. [Puts envelope on table] And I think the contents of this envelope will help. If we come to an agreement, it's yours to keep. Call it a signing bonus. [Ben claims he'll do any other show] The most anyone's ever won on another show is a thousand ND, and I know it sounds like a tremendous sum. But it's not enough to get your family out of Slumside for good. Whereas on the Running Man, merely surviving a single week would put the Richards in the top 1% of global wealth. See for yourself. Page 66. [Ben claims he is not trying to get himself killed] Mr. Richards, I'll be honest with you. I've said this to every contestant, but this is the first time I've really meant it. You have what it takes to win this game. Our viewers have a burning desire to see a runner go the distance, and we've had men come close 29 days in season one. But it's gonna take somebody special to go the full 30. You know what? You tested off the charts. So I looked through your employment history and had my assistant shoot me your highlights. [Clicks on three screens on office window playing clips of Ben] Now, this is the most thrilling 10 seconds of video I've seen all year. [Ben reveals he was fired for destroying the harness] But you bounced back. Hired by DefenseNet, the best wages downtown. [Ben states a maxim focusing on canine feces] Then why beg to be rehired? [Dan clicks off screens] Let's be honest. You stuck your neck out. You got one too many times for your co-workers and got your head chopped off. Pretty gutsy, considering half the country thinks union should be illegal. [Ben says he comes from the other half so they can kiss his twice and Dan points at him in admiration] Right there is why you can win this game. You're a fighter, Richards. Network blacklisted you from all the corps they own. Except for this one. You've risked your life for other men and their families long enough. Now do it for you and yours. Put your boots on. Make them pay. In cash. [Dan opens a desk compartment to revel a signing utensil] Sign the agreement and change your family's life forever. And what father wouldn't want that? [Dan signs the electronic contract document] And your thumbprint. Just press the box. [Den places thumb on box on screen] Welcome to the running man. [Smiles] This is exciting. [Assistant appears with a martini] Ah, there you are. [She places hand on Ben's shoulder with him cautioning he's married] I assume you two had an understanding based on her line of work. [Ben grabs Dan by hair and slams him face down into his desk, then its revealed to be a fantasy thought, then Ben identifies her as a waitress at a club] I've hit a nerve. My apologies. [Assistant hands Dan martini glass who raises it to Ben] To mutually profitable collaboration. [Ben grabs envelope and storms out of Dan's office]
• [Upon meeting a tense Ben behind stage before meeting Bobby T] Ah, you look great, you look great.
• [Leading Ben to stage with Bobby T] You got one job out there. Say what's on your mind. You're feeling angry, violent, aggrieved. Don't think before you speak. That's for pussies. Go off. Curse. Shake your dick at the crowd. It's all good Free-Vee.
• [Leading Ben to stage] There it is! The new colosseum!
• [To Ben] our fury at the injustice of the world has stopped you from reaching your full potential. But now, that anger is your superpower. Embrace it!
• [Applauding Ben after being led off stage] My eye for talent remains unrivaled! You, Mr. Richards, are what they used to refer to as... a game changer. Now listen, I shouldn't say this, but when the run begins... lay low with your own kind. You'll last longer. And also, in case you missed it in your contract... every goon you kill... wins you a 10k bonus. And it's a hundo per hunter. [Ben claims to "fuck (him) up someday" and Dan leans in patting Ben on cheek] That's the spirit.
• The audience lives for these happy accidents.
• Not all accidents are happy.

Bobby T

• [TV commercial] Hello, America. You know me. I'm Bobby T. And if you want to murder your thirst, reach for an ice cold liquid death. The official beverage of the running man. The starting gun fires tonight at 8.
• Are you ready to see some runners cry?! [Audience cheers approvingly] And are you ready to see some runners die?! [Audience cheers approvingly]
• [Introducing Ben to audience] Our first runner hails from right here in Co-Op City. Ben Richards! [Ben is forcedly led onto stage by two guards] A healthy 35-year-old man who thinks he's too good to work for a living. [Audience jeers] Mr. Richards' last job was a full-time position at DefenseNet. Until he spilled military secrets to a commie union he's not even in. [Audience jeers and Ben enragedly confirms it as "bullshit", and Bobby turns to Ben] Come on, that's showbiz kid, chill out. That's right! [to audience] He bit the hand that feeds him, because that's what dogs do! [Audience jeeringly calls out "traitor"] Remember that face? You win 3,000 new dollars... for a verified report and 10,000... if it leads to a kill. We've doubled the prizes for the last one of the season. Because when the stakes go up... [audience unisonly declares; "the stakes go down!"] And the stakes be high. Because the thousands he wins... goes to his wife, Sheila. [A promiscuously faked Sheila appears on screen behind Ben] A night witch... who only takes the biggest tips... at the Libertine. [Ben enragedly declares it as a fake and calls Bobby a liar struggling against guards] If you comprendo my innuendo. Abandoned by Richards. It's up to her now. To raise the tragic... kin of their sin. [Dan gives Ben both thumbs up] What's that? I think it's time for... [audience unisonly declares; "famous last words and Bobby walks up to Ben"] Well, Mr. Richards. Come on, can we hear it? [Puts hand on shoulder of and leans on Ben's guard and holds microphone to Ben] Do you have any famous... last words? [Ben glances over at Dan and enragedly curses at Dan, with Dan dismissively waving off Ben] How long do you think you'll last? [Ben threatens to burn down the building and questions the penis size of the audience, Ben is led off stage] Holy shit! Save it for the run! Oh, shit!
• [Ben appears with Jenni and Timothy] The rules of the run! Rule one: running money! Runners get a $1,000 new dollar advance and a 12-hour running start! The hunters don't hunt until... the Record & Report app goes live... tomorrow morning! Rules of the running cam! You must take 10 minutes of on-cam ham per day. These envelopes cannot be tracked. Drop them in a Network Drone Express mailbox before midnight... or you'll be disqualified... Thank you. You're still hunted for 30 days. Don't die for free. Get your tape set! Run far, get rich! Make it to midnight tomorrow and win $5,000 new dollars. Awards increase by... a thousand per day... and double at the end of each week. The grand prize for surviving day 30... is now... a billion new dollars! Before they can win that... who do they have to get past? [audience unisonly declares; "the hunters!"] Ladies and gentlemen, meet... The Hunters! Five men who fight for real freedom. Deep undercover where you least expect them. In fact, they may be amongst you... right now! And our leader... the ghost haunting every runner's dreams... Chief McCone! Search and destroy, gentlemen. [The Hunters disappear down stage] Let at them go! Take a last look at these thugs. Observe the typical disguises... their kind use to escape justice. In mere moments... they will walk among you... free to do whatever they want... until we stop them... [throws envelope across stage] together! [Audience cheers and chants "let them run! with Ben, Jenni and Timothy led into descension pods"] On your marks! Get set! Run! [The runners plunge down]
• [Moralizing Ben, Jenni and Timothy] Depraved! Demonic! Deceased! What havoc will the remaining runners wreak? Tune in and find out. Next stop, rich and bold, it's those Americanos.
• Ladies and gentlemen, last night seven men and one woman gave their lives to protect ours. Their love for their country only matched by the love for their children. [Ben says; "Uh oh] Someone chose to end the lives of these eight heroes and that someone was Ben Richards. His new tape just arrived. That's what he has to say about it.

Timothy Jansky

• I always thought this was fake, but... I don't know. Feeling pretty real now. Right, guys?
• [Walks out of Dan Killian's office with attractive employee] And it's feeling realer every second, y'all.
• Hey, uh, you're the man, Richards. Never would have made it without you.

Agent Dugg

• [Meeting Ben in elevator and he holds up ID badge] I'm agent Dugg. Your family alliance liaison. [Puts away badge] Family alliance is the network's premium private security service. It's included in your contract. No point in winning all that jack just to get your people robbed and killed. [Ben glances over concernedly] We'll relocate the fam. Put them under an assumed name. That's the one thing you won't have to worry about. [Leaves elevator with Ben] You have one call. To the wife. Let her know we'll be there in the morning. [Ben claims he needs to give the cash envelope tonight and promises to be back] No one comes back. [Gestures down hallway with portraits of past contestants] I gotta lock you in a really nice apartment. [Ben states he has a sick kid] I'll deliver it now and bring back her receipt.
• [Meets Ben at apartment] Showtime. Let's roll. [Walking down hall with Ben] Wrist. [Ben holds out wrist and Dugg wraps band around it] Here's your running band. You're gonna use it for timers, reminders, and rewards. [Ben is in elevator with two guards and it closes] Good luck down there.

The Running Man recruiting TV commercial voiceover

• Hey, you! Tough guy! Are you man enough to risk it all? Today is your last chance of the year to be on The Running Man! If you can duck the boys in black, the public, and McCone's hunters for 30 days, you'll run away with a billion new dollars!
• We've got the cash if you've got the balls! Don't miss the final run of the season. The Running Man!

The Running Man TV commercial voiceover

• America. The greatest country in the fucking universe. We work hard. And after a long day of busting ass, we get to kick back and feel good. [Scene of a burgling attempt being thwarted] But some don't want to work for that privilege. Oh! Thieves. Trumpsters. Freeloaders. And why should they when they can take it from you? [Burglar appears on game show stage] Welcome to the game where we give three of these tough guys all the freedom they want. [Burglar is now a runner in a cityscape] Biodata erased. No scanners. No trackers. For 30 days, all that stands between these men and millions is you. Record. Report. Reward. With over 10 million new dollars in prizes won, the best audience in the world remains... [Hunter leader Evan McCone launches a bazooka destroying the runner in a downtown street] undefeated! It's the Running Man! And now... [Bobby T appears on stage] our tall, tenacious, trustworthy trailblazer of the truth... Bobby T!

The Running Man TV program voiceover

• Running fans, we catch up with an undisclosed runner at an undisclosed location in an undisclosed city. The tension is so thick, you could cut it with McCone's knife of destiny.
• There's nowhere out for this runner. But never underestimate a cornered rat.
• Will this runner even have a chance to run? The fuse has been lit. It's just a matter of time.
• Chief McCone has confirmed. The Hunters have found their man. Things are heating up. Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.
• This is why we play the game, running fans. The moment of truth. Where these animals find out we live in a society with rules. A society where actions have consequences.
• The Hunters are racing to intercept their prey. Better run, Mr. Richards. This is why we watch, Running fans.

Hunter leader Evan McCone

• [The Running Man recruiting TV commercia] Go on. I'll give you a head start.
• [Practising target shooting watermelons] They say you run to add life to your days. Not days to your life. I'd say both are pretty fucking true.
• Hey runners. You can't outrun fate. And you cannot hide... from fate. Feeling realiosa. Viewer discretion is advised.

The Running Man recruiting TV commercial actor

• Catch me if you can, motherfuckers! Whoo!

Warmup host

• [Riling up audience] Are we ready for Bobby T?! This is the kind of energy I want all night long, everybody! [Starts a hyping up chanting spell of Bobby T with audience]

Newscast reporter

• Tragedy strikes as an explosion at the YVA in Fenway takes the lives of eight Network Community Guards. Belinda Brave coming to you live from the scene of a powerful blast that shook Boston to its core earlier tonight. No confirmation yet on whether Richard's body has been recovered. As far as we know, the Runner is still at large. A thrilling update on the Running Man turned deadly.

The Apostle

• Legend. The network wants you to think that on day 18 of his run, after taking out all five hunters, the longest surviving contestants in season one, committed suicide by surface-to-air missile. The apostle calls bullshit. First of all, they cut to ads six minutes earlier than usual and ran them for twice as long. They must have needed the time to write this fake-ass shit. [Faked footage of Ben threatening viewers] And then they swapped the crowd. Where'd purple shirt guy come from? Season five, episode 13 to be exact. That's how dumb the network thinks we are. Their vile distortions meant none of us knew the truth about what happened on that jet until a revolutionary riot girl found the jet's black box on the roof of her co-op. Her uncle had the audio duped, distributed, and put it on blast. And goddammit did we ever! The network wasn't about to give us the gospel, so we learned how to give it to each other. Ben lit the fuse. And the truth exploded like a nuclear blast before the network even knew it existed. But questions remain about that fateful night. Did the hunters really assassinate Ben's family? Did Killian sell him just the right lie for a bloodbath season finale? And the big one, on everyone's mind, did Ben survive? The apostles' research reveals that one of the flying beams that marked two state-of-the-art safety features was a crew escape pod just about the size of this so-called debris. Did Ben cheat death one last time? The network won't say. But one thing's for sure. He's still here, you shit-eaters.

Others

• Motel Guest #1: He's blind, you fucking idiot.
• Elton Parrakis: I like my bacon extra crispy!
• Amelia Williams: [After being sucked out door of Metair Flying V Luxury Jetliner in parachute with a camera ball filming ] Stop fucking filming me! Assholes!

Dialogue

Ben Richards: [In Supervisor Richard's office] I'm not asking for special treatment, I'm just... begging. You said I was one of your best guys.

Supervisor Richard: Was.

Ben Richards: Look, if you can't hire me back, just ask them to take me off the blacklist.

Supervisor Richard: Say that again, and I'll kick you and your kid out on your ass. Bringing her here to guilt me.

Ben Richards: Look, I need to work. She's had a fever for the last week.

Supervisor Richard: No, no, no. That ain't on me. I'm not the jerk that spoke to a union rep about radiation exposure.

Ben Richards: One time!

Supervisor Richard: You got your daughter. Your nuts didn't fly. Take the win. Bye-bye. Sick kid in my office.

Ben Richards: You know, I didn't bring her here to guilt you. I brought her to stop myself from bouncing your face off this desk.

Supervisor Richard: And this is you...not angry? [Ben leaves Richard's office]

---

Timothy Jansky: [after Ben catches Timothy from falling in an obstacle challenge] Thanks. You didn't have to do that back there.

Ben Richards: No problem.

Guard: Wrong! No helping, welf! [attempts to shock Ben only to be thwarted]

---

Dr. Raznor: Obedience.

Ben Richards: Never.

Dr. Raznor: Heroism.

Ben Richards: Useless.

Dr. Raznor: Technology.

Ben Richards: Abuse.

Dr. Raznor: Freedom.

Ben Richards: Nope.

Dr. Raznor: Authority.

Ben Richards: Burn.

Dr. Raznor: Anarchy.

Ben Richards: When.

Dr. Raznor: Justice.

Ben Richards: Hilarious.

Dr. Raznor: Family.

Ben Richards: Everything.

Dr. Raznor: Next image. [Plays levitating hologram of rohrscach-esque animating complex patterns] What do you see?

Ben Richards: Cutest puppy ever.

Dr. Raznor: What about this one?

Ben Richards: Aw, it's my favorite flower. Giving me a hug.

Dr. Raznor: Final image. Tell me about it.

Ben Richards: Infinite bunnies getting sucked into a naive tornado, spraying blood all over the galaxy.

Dr. Raznor: And Mr. Richards, you are quantifiably the angriest man to ever audition for our shows.

Ben Richards: Well, that really pisses me off.

Dr. Raznor: Proceed directly to your next destination. Final assessment.

---

Reality show daughter 1: Are those my jello hoobas?

Reality show daughter 2: I don't know. Are they?

Reality show daughter 1: I told you. Never ever wear my shoes. Ever. Your feet smell like dead mice. Now I have to burn them.

Reality show daughter 2: You're an insane person.

Reality show matriarch: What is going on here?

Reality show daughter 1: Mom, she stole my shoes. Because I literally put them in my shoe cubby. Take off my freaking shoes.

Reality show daughter 2: Are you serious?

---

Dan Killian: Bobby T.

Bobby T: Daniel, you son of a bitch! How many times I gotta tell you, do not put bluefin in my amuse-bouche. When I pull a mercury poison on a show night... [walks up to Dan's face intimidatingly] your bouche will not be amused, Dan. [Notices Ben] Oh, is this the one?

Dan Killian: Mm-hmm.

Bobby T: Is this our star?

Dan Killian: Yep.

Bobby T: [Walks up to Ben] Oh... I know it's weird to see me in real life, but you get used to it. I'm flesh and blood just like you are. [Puts hand on Ben's shoulder] My robot puts my pants on one leg at a time.

Dan Killian: Classic Bobby.

Bobby T: Do not shake your dick at the crowd. That's a bad note. He looks great. [Walks onto stage]

---

Ben Richards: [Ben gets into taxi] 13th and Obama.

Taxi driver: Whoa! [Chuckles and points to rearview] Hey, Running Man! Hey! I-I-I was watching you on... [points] the Free-Vee!

Ben Richards: [Emphasizingly orders] 13th and Obama.

Taxi driver: Okay. [Driving] What's up, man? [Holds up camera] Hey! Take a pic with me!

Ben Richards: [Declinedly reacts] Hey! It's okay.

Taxi driver: What do you mean, "no, it's okay"? You gotta be nice, man, so people don't report you! Okay? Because people will do that! Not me, though, man. I'm a nice guy.

Ben Richards: No, you know what? You're right. Hey, we should pull over and pick up one of these hookers. She can take the pic, alright?

Taxi driver: [Bursts laughing] Yeah, sickest idea ever, man! Yeah! I like the way you think! [Pulls over in red light district and Ben gets out running] Yeah! You'd better run! I hope they burn your ass! You're dead meat, pal! You're dead!

---

Ben Richards: [Approaches Molie working in his shop] Yo, Molie!

Molie: What?

Ben Richards: You don't see me on the hatch?

Molie: I saw you two blocks away on the infrared. What do you want?

Ben Richards: Look, I need... two I.D. cards and a gun.

Molie: Forget it. I don't do guns. Go see Mickey on 3rd.

Ben Richards: What in the hell is your problem, man?

Molie: The Running Man? What are you thinking?

Ben Richards: I don't know.

Molie: I had you pegged for smart.

Ben Richards: Look, I didn't have a choice. Kathy was sick.

Molie: Do you know how much danger you put me in coming here? Do you want to kill yourself? Fine. But leave me out of it. Okay? You got it? [Ben walks away] Goddamn it, Ben. I.D.s are 100. [Ben walks back] It's 30 each for costumes and accessories. I got a priest. I've got a combat veteran. I've got an exec. And the rush order makes it two. 200 new. All in.

Ben Richards: Okay.

Molie: Go hide out in survival. It's aisle 5. I'm going to lock the incinerator.

Ben Richards: Oh, I already did.

Molie: You don't mind if I check, do you?

Ben Richards: [Referring to vintage televisions] You sell a lot of these?

Molie: I can't keep them in stock. Those TVs don't watch you back. Come on.

Ben Richards: Is this going to work?

Molie: Absolutely. [Ben poses in disguise for I.D. photo]

---

Molie: Let's test out those contacts.

Ben Richards: Okay.

Molie: [Points to boxes of explosives in a closet] Can you read anything on that shelf?

Ben Richards: All right. "BFE 20." Holy shit. How do you have black Irish?

Molie: That's not for sale.

Ben Richards: Yeah, like I put that shit in my pocket. Only took a couple grams to blow up fatbergs in the sewers uptown.

Molie: BFE. Big fucking explosion. So what's your plan?

Ben Richards: I don't know. Lay low with my own kind?

Molie: Your own kind will sell you out in a heartbeat. I'd find the busiest place you can and disappear in the crowd. That's my advice. Well, uh... you can leave the same way you came.

Ben Richards: Molie... I had to do it.

Molie: No, you didn't. [Places box on desk with Ben opening it to discover a work uniform shirt] I was going to bring you on here. Sort of as a partner. I should have told Sheila yesterday. But I wanted to tell you myself. Hey. Too late for that now. [Closes box and picks it up] Well... [shakes Ben's hand] Godspeed. See you on big screen.

---

[The Running Man show comes on TV in Ben's hotel room]

The Running Man voiceover: Live update! Let's go! Our hunters are hard at work near a Co-op City Netmart where Mr. Jansky is flirting with the clerk that just reported him. Let's find out if he's also flirting with death.

Timothy Jansky: [To clerk] Do you watch the Running Man?

Clerk: Uh... I guess.

Timothy Jansky: I heard there's this guy on there who kinda looks like me and he's really hot or something, I don't... I don't know.

Clerk: I don't know.

Timothy Jansky: I'm gonna come back in a little bit and I'm gonna try and ask you out again.

Clerk: Yeah?

Ben Richards: Jesus, Tim.

The Running Man voiceover: [Camera zooms in on Timothy leaving convenience store] And that's Jansky stepping out with his breakfast burrito.

Evan McCone: [On a rooftop speaking into comlink] Green light on Jansky.

The Running Man voiceover: Will it be his final meal? [Hunters disguised as construction workers start moving in on Timothy]

Ben Richards: Come on.

The Running Man voiceover: The fuse has been lit. It's just a matter of time.

Ben Richards: Get out of there, buddy.

The Running Man voicover: Better eat up, Tim. Enjoy those last bites before it's last rights.

Ben Richards: Move, move! You're walking! It's the fucking running man!

The Running Man voiceover: [Camera zooms in on Timothy's face with software identification notice] Here we go.

Timothy Jansky: [Timothy has realized his demise] Oh, man. [Timothy is shot point blank in the head]

The Running Man voiceover: Bang!

Ben Richards: God.

The Running Man voiceover: [Hunters congratulate each other] And Jansky crosses the finish line! That's one down and two to go! Watch tonight at 8 to see if Jenny Laughlin and Ben Richards are still on the run! How long do they have left?! Tune in and find out!

---

Ben Richards: [Talking Roberts in an alley over burning oil drum] Hey, brother. I need to get off to street.

Roberts: Oh, yeah?

Ben Richards: I'm lookin' for a place to rack out for the month.

Roberts: Mm-hmm.

Ben Richards: Off net, if you know what I mean.

Roberts: Oh, is that so? I'll give you a hundo new for your room and another hundo for your jacket.

Ben Richards: A deuce hundo for this rat-ass jacket in that rat-ass room?

Roberts: Fella, you need to get to Jamaica Plain, pick up your head meds.

Ben Richards: Come on.

Roberts: [Ben flashes cash] Put that shit away. What are you, trying to get us killed? [Ben lifts up boonie hat] Let me see your face. Where'd you deploy?

Ben Richards: Alaska. Ate shrapnel.

Roberts: You ain't seen combat. But I reckon it ain't stolen, Vala, if you paid me for it. [They exchange goods and payment]

Ben Richards: Thanks.

---

YVA Manager: [Boy runs past Ben with hotel manager in pursuit] Hey! I'm talking to you! Come back here you little shit! You listen to me. You stay out of my stash! I catch you in that basement again, I'm gonna stomp you!

Stacey Throckmorton: And I'm gonna get Big Bro to take care of you! He'll kick your cow-ass over the moon! [Makes a derisive gesture]

YVA Manager: Beat it!

---

Stacey Throckmorton: [Calling down alley] Hey, come on out. I know you're here.

Ben Richards: [Grabs Stacey into a nook] Come here, you rat!

Stacey Throckmorton: Get off me!

Ben Richards: You're the one who reported me!

Stacey Throckmorton: It wasn't me! I ain't no rat!

Ben Richards: Oh yeah?

Stacey Throckmorton: Let me go! I'm gonna get Big Bro to take care of you.

Ben Richards: You think your Big Bro can kick my ass after what I just went through?

Stacey Throckmorton: He's not gonna kick your ass. He's gonna save it. You need help. Man, you gotta get off these streets, man!

Police helicopter: Suspect at large. Curfew at large.

Stacey Throckmorton: Goons and Zooms all up in this bitch. Everyone's looking for you! Hey. Hey, stay here. [Picks up envelope and gets on bicycle] I'll be right back! I got you Richards.

---

Ben Richards: [Holds up in uneven leveled elevator] I got a grenade! [Throws it down hall to Evan]

Evan McCone: [Catches it with feet] Back at'cha. [Kicks it back into elevator, Ben catches it and throws it up where it detonates]

---

Bobby Thompson: HUNT. HIM. DOWN!

Audience: [Repeated chanting] Hunt him down!

---

Bradley Throckmorton: I can get you out of Boston, but it won't be for money.

Stacey Throckmorton: Bro, this dude ain't going nowhere. Goon's got the hood surrounded. Reality.

Bradley Throckmorton: [Places hand on Stacey's shoulder] Stop.

Ma Throckmorton: Just a little pinch and everything's gonna be okay.

---

Bradley Throckmorton: You know, you seem like a smart cat. Who made you sign up to be a cog in their propaganda machine?

Ben Richards: I'm just trying to take care of my family. Just like you and your sister.

---

Ben Richards: You know, my kid was sick. I sent my wife enough to get her well. Now I'm trying to win enough to get them out. She's only two. So if I do my job, she'll never even remember Slumside.

Bradley Throckmorton: Okay, Richards. I can get you past that blockade. But I'm gonna need a couple days to set it up. So hide out here in the meantime. You know, you could go to full 30 if you play smart.

Ben Richards: And what makes you such an expert?

Bradley Throckmorton: [Points and endearingly squints] Tune in and find out. [Leads Ben to media room] Welcome to the pulpit. [Inserts and plays a tape]

The Apostle: What goes on behind the scenes of the biggest Free-Vee show of all time? Welcome to The Apostle. Episode 30, Real Rules of the Running Man. If you dig, dupe, and distribute. The network has three types for every run. Type 1, Hopeless Dude.

Hopeless Dude: [In an eating establishment] Oh my God.

The Apostle: Hopeless Dude is cursed with a fatal misunderstanding of human nature. He usually lasts less than 48 hours.

Hopeless Dude: Come and get me. Dinner is served, pal. [At door] Oh, damn. [Gets shot by the Hunters]

The Running Man voicover: Pa-pow! That's a takeout!

Ben Richards: Woof.

The Running Man voicover: Oh! He is cooked!

The Apostle: Type 2, Negative Dude. Negative Dude knows he ain't got a chance in hell. He just wants to go out with a bang or two.

Negative Dude: [Socializing with four women in bed] Make life greater. Leave a fucking crater.

The Apostle: Bro gets smoked by the end of week one cause he buys too much ass and not enough food with his running start. [Negative Dude is cornered by the Hunters in strip club parking lot] A slave to his appetites, he often serves himself up on a plate.

Negative Dude: Suck dicks in hell! [Detonates suicide bomb vest]

The Apostle: Final Dude. Final Dude has a fierce will to survive. Yet, he never wins. The network cheats. They can't find anyone anytime. But, if a runner's getting good ratings, let him run. 13 days.

Final Dude: And just like Papa always said, you can try, but you can't catch a ghost.

So, by the end of week two, ratings usually peak.

Final Dude: [Camera zooms in on Final Dude with software identification notice] Oh shit.

The Apostle: The crowd wants blood, and Final Dude becomes a victim of his own success. They might hide from destiny, but they never outrun fate. [Final Dude is finished off in a lumber mill and is ground up in wood chipper]

Final Dude: That's me, McCone! I'm the Running Man! Bi-

The Apostle: Double kill! Rest in pieces!

Evan McCone: That's game.

Ben Richards: Whew. Is that supposed to inspire me?

Bradley Throckmorton: Oh, come on, man! Don't you get it? After that escape tonight, live, prime time, you... you are... [rewinds tape to shot of Final Dude and points to Ben] Final Dude. And they're gonna squeeze every last drop of ratings out of your ass, so you got at least until Negative Dude flames out to get somewhere safe. Which gives us enough time to set you up for the biggest underdog win in game show history.

Ben Richards: So where the hell's safe?

Bradley Throckmorton: I'm working on it.

---

Ben Richards: So how does a five year old get lung cancer?

Bradley Throckmorton: Radioactive dust. From the Rhode Island explosion.

Ben Richards: Never heard about that.

Bradley Throckmorton: Yeah, you never heard of it because the network owns the news. Just like they own that munitions factory. Just like they own the government. So why bother complying with safety regs, right? That's how June got sick.

---

Program voiceover: We interrupt the Americanos for a live update from the Running Man.

Amelia Williams: Who even likes this show?

Zaza: The Poors. Duh.

Amelia Williams: Zaza!

Zaza: They're the only ones dense enough to think it's real.

Amelia Williams: I know, it's so fake.

---

Ben Richards: Go ahead. Say what you gotta say.

Amelia Williams: Why? You can go crazy and kill me? No.

Ben Richards: You have one minute to speak freely.

Amelia Williams: How do you live with yourself? Hmm? You dare sit there and criticize my driving?! Tell me how to operate my own car?! I am a member of society! You disgust me! You abandoned that starving baby, that horrible wife of yours! So you can what?! Kill people for money?! And you only kill the best people! The people who protect us from... from welfs like you! And that's not a word I use!

Ben Richards: [Holds up photo of wife and daughter] That is my family. Our number finally came up for the park. Watched Kathy try ice cream for the first time. That was the best day of my life. So yeah, you're right. The show is so fake. Not the bullets. Not the death. Just the part that makes people like you think you're better than people like us.

Ben Richards: Let me ask you something. How much was that scarf?

Amelia Williams: Huh?

Ben Richards: More than the meds my daughter needed when she was dying of the flu? The flu! That is a human life hanging around your neck. You seem to be doing fine. Who can blame you? It's a nice scarf.

Amelia Williams: I'm not a bad person.

Ben Richards: No, do not start crying. I will shoot us both if you start crying. Cry when it's over. When will that be?!

---

Vehicle prompt voice: [Being forced over by a militia truck] You have successfully yielded. Nice!

Militia man 1: [Gets out of truck with rifles drawn] Oh, hey, Richards. You've been pulled over by the Rustic Rock Mulisha Boyz. We're here to secure our homestead in the name of the network!

Militia man 2: Don't worry, lady! We're the good guys! Just step out of the car. You'll be safe with us. It's him we want. :Ben Richards: Just go. [The Running Man camera ball opens automatic fire on the two militia men and destroys their truck]

Amelia Williams: What the fuck is happening?!

Ben Richards: The producers just killed Network Mulisha instead of me.

Amelia Williams: They wouldn't do that! All those men were just trying to protect me from you!

Ben Richards: What is it going to take for you to get... I'm not the bad guy! [Slams revolver on dashboard with Amelia grabbing it and pointing it at Ben]

Amelia Williams: Take the car! Just drive away! I don't want to hurt you!

Ben Richards: You think they're going to let you walk after seeing that? You're on the show now.

Amelia Williams: No, I'm not!

Bobby Thompson: [The Running Man comes on vehicle screen] Richards lives. And this time, he's got a hostage. Amelia Williams, a 27-year-old realtor from Bangor, Maine. [Faked overhead footage of Amelia waving from vehicle window]

Amelia Williams: Help me! He's got a gun!

Ben Richards: Welcome to the Running Man.

Amelia Williams: Help me, please!

Bobby Thompson: The crisis continues as Miss Williams Gray Alpine heads north on Rustic Rock Siding Road. The hostage situation has triggered the NCG to go into full tactical alert.

Amelia Williams: Turn it off!

Bobby Thompson: Miss Williams was carjacked and kidnapped by- [Ben complies]

Amelia Williams: [Continues driving with locals chanting "Richard Lives"] Unbelievable.

Ben Richards: Yeah, it's a circus, all right.

Amelia Williams: So they're just going to keep filming us?

Ben Richards: If a runner gets good ratings, they let him run.

Amelia Williams: Oh, God. Is that a blockade?

Ben Richards: Oh, shit. All right. If we play our parts, they'll let us pass.

Amelia Williams: Oh, shit, shit, shit.

Ben Richards: Okay. Just keep driving. We're not going to shoot.

Amelia Williams: How do you know?

Ben Richards: Because they're going to wait for the show to start. Do it live.

Amelia Williams: Do what live?

Ben Richards: Kill me.

Amelia Williams: They're waving us through. Why are they turning for you when I'm the hostage? Unbelievable.

Ben Richards: Amelia? Can you give me the gun?

Amelia Williams: Why not? You're obviously the hero.

Ben Richards: [Takes gun from her] Trust me. I don't think we're going to need this anymore. [Throws gun out window]

NCG agent: Record and report. State your claim.

Fake Ben Richards: [Audio plays] Oh, my God. I just saw Ben Richards. I'm sorry. Wait. I am Ben Richards. And if you don't want to be the reason Amelia dies... get this message to Killian.

Fake Amelia Williams: Do what he says please.

Fake Ben Richards: You heard the lady.

---

Ben Richards: [On bullhorn to Evan] Before you murder us, make up some bullshit why it had to be done. Look at all these people who know, the truth. Are you willing to kill all of them? Because I am. I'm holding on to this bullhorn with my right hand. My left hand is in my front pouch, wrapped around 12 pounds of black Irish. [Supporters get spooked] When I used to work at Network Public Utility, you get these two ton fatbergs, take less than a gram to blow those up. Twelve pounds. It'll vaporize everything in a half mile radius. [Supporters all turn running]

Evan McCone: [Into his bullhorn] Bullshit. BFE 20 is the most highly regulated industrial explosive and you haven't even set foot in a state that sells it.

Ben Richards: Guess Molie didn't tell you everything. I got my finger stuck in the detonator ring and it's on half cock. [Evan hands bullhorn to subordinate] So, I want one of those big fancy flying V airplanes. [Evan takes off sunglasses] I want two auto shoots handed to Amelia at the bottom of the ramp. If the shoots are sabotaged, if you make any sudden moves, [Evan cleans sunglasses with shirt] if you don't back those trucks up and let me on that tarmac right fucking now, you won't even hear it go boom. I'll just see you in hell and let you laugh in your face. You got one minute. [Throws bullhorn on ground and closes vehicle door] Shouldn't take long. He's got a direct line to the boss. Last chance to run.

Amelia Williams: No. You made me feel like I'm the bad guy. Now I have to prove I'm not.

Ben Richards: Why don't you give a shit what I think?

Amelia Williams: You're not the one I'm trying to prove it to. So what's our plan?

Evan McCone: Let him through.

Ben Richards: I'm gonna convince them your handbag is a bomb long enough to bail out over Canada. They'll never let me win, so I'm gonna slip out the back door and wait out the clock. We just have to keep the audience entertained until that jet crosses the border.

Amelia Williams: What if they call your bluff?

Ben Richards: You make sure they know it's real. Get scared, freak out. Curse, scream. Call me the worst names possible. Just remember, everything bad, it's all good Free-Vee. Act terrified when McCone hands you the chutes.

Amelia Williams: I won't have to act.

Ben Richards: He grabs his gun, you'll know it's time to go off. [Amelia boards plane] So, you think you're the guy who stops me from seeing my daughter again?

Evan McCone: Show starts at eight. Get on the plane.

Ben Richards: Only if you take your mask off. Audience will love it.

Evan McCone: Keep dreaming.

Dan Killian: [Over commlink] Do what he says.

Evan McCone: [Holds finger to commlink] No copy.

Dan Killian: Do what he says. [He complies and Ben boards plane]

---

Automated voice: Welcome aboard, Mr. Richards. To the Metair Flying V Luxury Jetliner. The ultimate in private travel. With state of the art safety features. This is first class comfort taken sky high. So sit back and enjoy the most relaxing flight of your life.

Captain Holloway: Welcome aboard, Mr. Richards. I'm Captain Holloway. You'll excuse me if I don't shake your hand. That's First Officer Dunninger and Navigation Officer Donaghy to your left. [Referring to extra seat] Looks like you're missing one.

Ben Richards: Hey Captain. How many lavatories are on this rust bucket?

Captain Holloway: Four.

Ben Richards: Six. Why don't you check them all for stowaways? Anyone sneaks up on me, it's going to be a real short ride.

Captain Holloway: So where are we headed tonight?

Ben Richards: Plot a route over the richest homes from here to Canada. Fly as low as you can. Let me know when we're ten minutes from the border.

Captain Holloway: As you wish.

---

First Officer Dunninger: The seatbelt sign is now off. Feel free to move about the cabin.

Evan McCone: Hey Richards, six minutes to showtime. You should get that last meal before they clear me to blow your head off in front of a couple billion people.

Ben Richards: Oh yeah? You know, you should really put some makeup on before the show starts.

Evan McCone: [Throws magazine aside and gets up] Fuck the show! Let's go!

Ben Richards: [Gets up] You want to go? We can all go right now!

Amelia Williams: [Gets up and stands between Ben and Evan] No, no, no! Just stop!

Ben Richards: Do it! Do it, tough guy!

Amelia Williams: Why are you doing this?!

Ben Richards: See if I twitch!

Amelia Williams: Show him the bomb! Show it to him before he shoots you and kills us all!

Evan McCone: [Attempts to grab her wrist and she pulls back] Ma'am.

Amelia Williams: [Walks up to Ben] No, just show it! [Evan pulls her away] 'Cause I don't want to feel like this anymore! Do you fucking hear me?! I'm done!

Evan McCone: Let's calm down.

Amelia Williams: I'm fucking done! [Evan seats her]

Evan McCone: [Walks up to Ben] Alright Richards, what if I offer you an amnesty deal and an exit visa?

Ben Richards: You're nothing but a Halloween costume. You can't offer me shit!

Dan Killian: [Appears on overhead screen] Too true, Mr. Richards. He can't. But I can.

Ben Richards: How about I offer you a deal? You tell your hunters in the cockpit to do what I tell them. Otherwise... I blow up this jet and everyone on it!

Dan Killian: Ben, I admire your commitment to the bet but we're short on time so... I'll be blunt. We know you're bluffing. The Flying V Mark II has scanners built into the doors. It's been wildly entertaining. But you can give Amelia her lovely handbag back now. [Evan laughs, Ben sits and takes out Amelia's bag, throws it on ground and Evan walks up to Ben with gun drawn] Evan? Evan, don't.

Evan McCone: That's game.

Navigation Officer Donaghy: [With guns drawn with co-pilot] Safety of that weapon, sir.

Dan Killian: Evan, are you insane? The show hasn't even started. Hand over your gun and go to the back of the jet. [Evan hands over gun to pilot] Thank you. [Evan walks to back] You can remain there until I say otherwise. I need a moment to have a word with Mr. Richards. To discuss a sensitive matter. [Dan appears on screen near Ben] Let's keep this between us. You know, it wasn't too long ago that someone with my job thought it was more important to force some hypocritical moral message down society's throat than to simply entertain them. They forgot about the power of illusion, the power of the star, which is what you are, Richards. And this is why we want to offer you your own show. Now picture it. A former runner, redeemed through righteous vengeance, turns his life around to become a lethal force for good. They call him... The Hunter. The board has authorized me to pay you five million new dollars per season. There's only one condition. Sit back, watch the intro, and when Bobby cues you, kill every hunter on that jet. Conditions met, I'll remote pilot you back to the studio jet port where the president of the United States will induct you as hunter number six. [Waves hand] Another title idea I'm playing with. The data says the revenge plot... revenge.

Ben Richards: Revenge for what? Who is gonna root for a guy who kills your national heroes? [Dan squints eyes] I call bullshit, Dan. [Dan waves hand]

Dan Killian: Let me worry about the creative.

Ben Richards: No deal. The truth, then.

Dan Killian: Revenge for your wife and child.

Ben Richards: Why would I ever believe you?

Dan Killian: Because. If they were still alive, I'd hold them at gunpoint and force you to do whatever I want. And torture them right in front of you. I didn't want to show you this. But I'm out of time to save your life. [Screen shows footage of hit squad arriving at apartment door] The hunter you killed was part of a tight crew. McCone and the men in that cockpit flew to Co-Op City, to Sheila and Kathy's secret uptown location.

Ben Richards: No.

Dan Killian: They badged their way past the family alliance agents and... I'm sorry, Ben. Not all accidents are happy. [Hit squad opens fire into apartment and Ben screams primally hitting screen] We want you to win. The audience is already on your side. Once I show them footage of McCone and his men killing your family, they will follow you into hell. Think of what this does for your narrative. Thirty seconds to showtime, Ben. You'll find a gun by the coffee station in the galley. But if you don't sign before the theme music ends, I'll order the bastards that killed your family to kill you, too. [Ben grabs screen out of stand and smashes it on table]

Amelia Williams: What's happening?

Ben Richards: Tune in and find out.

Bobby Thompson: [Amelia pushes Free-Vee button on armrest and a screen turns tuned into The Running Man show, Bobby to audience] Everyone, everyone. Please settle. Now, now. [To camera] We start today's episode with a heavy heart. We here at the Running Man believe in following the rules. So it pains me to tell you that one of our most important rules has been broken by the very men we entrust to enforce them. Chief McCone and his hunters. And that rule is... [holds up cue cards] we protect the Runner's family from harm. No one would play if we didn't. We thought it only fair to let Richards administer the penalty for this grave infraction. [First Officer Duninger gets gun] As we go live to Richards, we pray he has what it takes.

First Officer Duninger: [To Ben] Hey, Richards. You making coffee?

Ben Richards: Yeah. How do you take it?! [Shoots Duninger and engages two other pilots in struggle for firearms, causing the plane to drop down]

Automated voice: Altitude alert. Remote pilot engaged. Disengaged. [Finishes off two pilots in free fall] Altitude alert. Remote pilot engaged.

Bobby Thompson: And then... there was one. Three hunters down. But the deadliest among them is still somewhere on this jet.

Ben Richards: [Opens cockpit door and she gasps with her holding parachute pack] He took the other parachute. I couldn't stop him.

Ben Richards: Strap that on. Keep your head down.

Bobby Thompson: The prey has become the predator. Evan cone is trapped. Nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide. Mr. Williams is checking all of the flying V's in executive toilets. It's four. The fuse has been lit. It's just a matter of time. Okay, here we go. The moment of truth.

Ben Richards: [Kicks open lav door to find it empty] Six, bitch.

Bobby Thompson: Uh-oh. That's gotta be disappointing. The tension is higher than ever Running fans. It all comes down to this.

Amelia Williams: [Evan knocks down Ben] Ben! [Evan hoists up Ben]

Bobby Thompson: Whoa!

Amelia Williams: No!

Evan McCone: [Shoves Ben into a lav] You wanna know who's stopping you from seeing your kid again? You! [Smacks Ben's head against a mirror shattering it.

Bobby Thompson: That had to hurt! [Ben smashes Evan into a mirror]

Amelia Williams: No!

Bobby Thompson: [Evan slashes Ben's abdomen with a mirror knife] Oh, no. Richards has taken a savage blow!

Evan McCone: Shut the fuck up Bobby! [To Ben, taking off sunglasses] If this is how they fire me, what do you think they'll do to you? Chump. You think you're the only Runner ever got offered a deal? You think surviving two weeks and change makes you big shit? [Pulls mirror shard out of left eye] Try 29 days. What's more likely? A: I killed your family. B: Killian sold you just the right lie to get a bloodbath season finale. Or C: you're too fucking stupid to figure it out? [Picks up gun from floor] Take it from someone who took the deal to be a hunter instead of the hunted. The only time you'll ever see your family again is when they torture them in front of you. [Loads magazine in gun] Fuck with your head enough to make you wanna kill it all away.

Ben: You're full of shit. You're all full of shit.

Evan McCone: Truth is...? [Aims gun at Ben and Amelia gasps] ...I'm doing you a favor. [McCone shoots, but misses as the plane tips and the interior loses air pressure]

Automated voice: Cabin pressure compromised. Emergency doors disarmed.

Evan McCone: Hey, Killian! You think I need a gun to waste this loser?! [To Ben, who he pulls a knife on] You outran Fate. You can't hide from Destiny! This is my show now! [Ben activates McCone's parachute, pinning him against the wall of the plane. Ben stalks up to him] Do it, tough guy! See if I twitch!

Ben Richards: [Stabs the hunter in the chest] That's game!

---

Amelia Williams: I'm sorry they did this to you!

Ben Richards: I did it to myself.

Amelia Williams: It's a sign! I'm not supposed to... [gets sucked out door, to camera ball] Stop fucking filming me! Assholes!

Bobby Thompson: [Ben enters cockpit] Richards lives, ladies and gentlemen! Keep going kid! You've got this! Ben Richards, you are the man! We have command of the jet! Our best trauma surgeons are already on the tarmac, ready to patch you up as good as new. [Holds finger to commmlink] But wait. Making his Free-Vee debut with a special message. The creator of Running Man, super producer, Dan Killian!

Dan Killian: [Appears on screen of stage] Mr. Richards, we here at the network believe you embody the raw strength and salt-of-the-earth moral backbone this country stands for. And we want... No. We need to see more.

Introducing commercial voiceover: [Faked footage of Ben as a Hunter on a motorcyle aiming a gun] This summer, Ben Richards is... Hunter 6!

Dan Killian: Congratulations, Ben. [Holds up and parts both spread hands] And welcome to the network family!

Ben Richards: I already got a family. Did you kill them or not, Dan? [Screen blacks out]

Audience member: Fuck you Dan!

Bobby Thompson: Give it up for Dan Killian! Come on. We're live. How many times do you get to tell two billion people how you really feel? How does it feel to be a hero, Ben?

Ben Richards: Nothing I've done on this show makes me a hero. I tried to be a hero once. And they blacklisted my ass. My daughter got sick. This is the only job I could get. Seems like the whole point of Free-Vee is to make us hate each other. So they can keep stealing from us. While we fight in the mud. You want the truth. Turn it off. We are all being fucked by the network. Find out who really runs it. Record. Report them. Get their names. You just met one of them. Dan Killian. You remember that face. Don't watch Free-Ve. Watch who pays for it. Turn it off.

Dan Killian: [Does slow clap] Great speech. Too bad I'm the only one who saw it. We've been on an ad break since you said nothing you did on the show made you a hero. You think it was worth it? You think your little rant makes you a martyr? We're going live again in 30. And this time you'll play your part. Because if not, we're gonna run this instead. [Plays faked clip]

Fake Ben Richards: I told you I was gonna burn this building down and everyone in it!

Ben Richards: That was fast.

Dan Killian: Work with me, Richards. Don't throw your life away. Don't make me fly that jet into the network building. They'll blow you out of the sky.

Ben Richards: Are they dead or alive, Dan?

Dan Killian: Who?

Ben Richards: My family.

Dan Killian: Who cares? If I told you they were alive, would you even believe me? We are alive in five, four, [Ben holds up three finger in countdown sync] three, two, [Ben displays middle finger] one. [Does a hand sweep] Okay, have it your way.

Fake Ben Richards: I told you I was gonna burn this building down and everyone in it! I will see you in hell and laugh in your face!

Fake Ben Richards: Ben, are you insane? There's 5,000 innocent people in this building.

Automated voice: Remote pilot engaged.

Dan Killian: Look at what you've done. You happy?

Ben Richards: I told you I was gonna fuck you up.

Dan Killian: Yeah.

Automated voice: Warning. Collision alert.

Remain calm, everyone! NCG will blow him out of the sky!

Automated voice: Missile inbound. Missile inbound. [Missile implodes plane]

---

Grocery store clerk: [Holds up baby booties] These are adorable.

Sheila Richards: Oh, no, sorry, those aren't mine.

Grocery store clerk: That guy outside bought them for you, Mrs. Richards? Groceries, too?

Sheila Richards: That's... not my name.

---

Bobby Thompson: [Witnessing audience chanting "Richards Lives!" from backstage] Goddamn, Richards! You are indeed a tough act to follow. [Turns and walks]

Dan Killian: Where do you think you're going?

Bobby Thompson: You don't hear that? I'd say that's invaluable. Valuable audience feedback, Dan.

Dan Killian: No, no, no, no, no. You get back out there and you do your job.

Bobby Thompson: How about you do my job? [Hands microphone to Dan and walks]

Dan Killian: Hey, we've been crushing the ratings for twenty years. I own that audience. You don't think I can turn this around?

Bobby Thompson: [Turns to Dan] You're the one who wanted to make him a star, Dan. Mission accomplished. It's his show now. [Turns and two security men aims their guns at Bobby]

Dan Killian: You think he can just walk?

Bobby Thompson: [Lowers security guns with his hands] Sweeties, please. [Turns to Dan] Take another look at my contract. Page 42, paragraph 6. There's a special clause. And the smallest of clauses. The print that reads, FUCK YOU!

Coordinator: Ten seconds!

Bobby Thompson: Ten seconds, Dan. [Walks away between security men] Coco, come on, let's go.

Dan Killian: You know what? Fuck that! This is my house! I set the rules! Max the theme, drown them out! [Walks onto stage only to realize out-of-control unruliness of fire-bombing audience and Ben emerges with a gun from audience]

Ben Richards: In five, four...

Dan Killian: No.

Ben Richards: Three.

Dan Killian: No.

Ben Richards: Two, one. And action. [Ben shoots at Dan]

Taglines

• Hunt him down.
• Survive 30 days while the world hunts you down.

Cast

• Glen Powell as Ben Richards, a blacklisted laborer who signs up for The Running Man TV show
• Josh Brolin as Dan Killian, the producer of The Running Man TV show
• Colman Domingo as Bobby "Bobby T" Thompson, the host of The Running Man TV show
• Lee Pace as Evan McCone, the masked leader of the hunters on The Running Man TV show
• Michael Cera as Elton Parrakis, an anti-government survivalist rebel who assists Ben
• Emilia Jones as Amelia Williams, a civilian taken hostage by Ben
• William H. Macy as Molie Jernigan, a man who provides Ben with disguises when he is on the run
• Daniel Ezra as Bradley Throckmorton, a rebel and livestreamer who aids Ben
• Jayme Lawson as Sheila Richards, Ben's wife

External links

• The Running Man (2025 film) quotes at the Internet Movie Database