The Running Man (2025) Movie Script

1
- I'm not asking for special treatment, I'm just...
- Begging.
You said I was one of your best guys.
Was.
Look, if you can't hire me back, just
ask them to take me off the blacklist.
Say that again, and I'll kick you and your
kid out on your ass.
Bringing her here to guilt me.
Look, I need to work.
- She's had a fever for the last week.
- No, no, no.
That ain't on me.
- I'm not the jerk that spoke to a union rep about radiation exposure.
- One time!
You got your daughter.
Your nuts didn't fly.
Take the win.
Bye-bye.
Sick kid in my office.
You know, I didn't bring her here to guilt
you.
I brought her to stop myself from bouncing
your face off this desk.
And this is you...
not angry?
Next!
Next!
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!
Go on. I'll give you a head start.
Catch me if you can, motherfuckers! Wooh!
We've got the cash if you've got the
balls!
Don't miss the final run of the season.
The Running Man!
Don't worry.
Daddy's not that crazy.
Welcome back to speed the wheel where a
big-boned badass bets bravely to bag big bucks.
Am I right, bud?
And away we'll go!
Buck, for 100 new dollars, the capital of France
is A, Marseille, B, Lyon, or C, Paris?
Paris! C!
Correct!
Cynthia, drop a hundo in the hammy!
Oh, look at the fuzzy hamster!
Did you see the fuzzy hamster?
Next question: For 1,000 new
dollars, how many lavatories
does a net-air flying-V
luxury jetliner have?
Is it A4, B5, or C6?
Tough one.
Say B, bud.
Is it A?
It's...
C6.
Six toilets.
The rich are even more full of shit than
daddy thought.
It's time to speed the wheel!
Bud, in my hand is the question that could
change your life.
Who invented the pepperoni?
Bud, we hardly knew you.
How's she doing?
- She's really burning up.
- Hey!
Thank God you're here.
- She's hurting bad.
- That's not good.
Two drops.
All right.
- Wait, what is this?
- Look, I know.
Molly said he would have real
farms, dammit. Real flumets.
Yeah, well, a little black market buddy
has all the stuff to kill people,
but it's sold out of the things to save
them.
- All right.
- Thank you.
This stuff doesn't make her better,
babe.
But it makes her feel better.
Look, I just pulled another
double at that hellhole club,
and if it wasn't dead in the
morning, I'd still be there.
So that's what we can afford today.
I talked to him.
What, you did?
- Who watched Kathy?
- Took her with me.
Figured, you know, guilt trip him.
No, you took her so you wouldn't
beat the crap out of her. Smart.
I left my pride at the door.
I was respectful.
Maybe got a little heated at the end,
but by then it was game over.
They don't want us to win.
I'm sorry, I...
I tried.
Hey, you're just being punished for being
a good man.
You were just standing up for your guys.
It just didn't seem right, you know.
I got to be a dad, and they didn't.
Ben, none of this is your fault.
- Doesn't change our situation.
- No.
But we're in this together, right?
Right.
We'll think of something.
Hey. Shh. It's okay.
Wait, where's your sock?
Oh, Ben, those take forever to make.
No, no, it was on when we got
home. Hold on. It's here. It's here.
Those are her comfies, babe.
When did you kick that off?
Don't worry. Dada's gonna find it.
Get it together, girl.
- Honey, are you going back to the Libertine?
- I don't want to.
- I thought you said that place was dead in the morning.
- It is.
Except for the most desperate,
wasted losers.
My friend told me how to get tips out of
these guys.
You hear the waitresses do it all the
time.
No.
Look, if these jerks
can splash 50 ND per
bottle, they can
accidentally save a kid's life.
Babe, I can't let you do this.
Ben, she is burning up.
Look, my friend makes 20 new every shift.
Usually from just one customer.
Hey.
Now, you know I'd never do that.
My friend doesn't even let her grab her
ass.
She just charms him into tipping for
something that's not on sale.
And right now, it's prime time for that
kind of play.
No, if the wrong exec thinks
that you ripped him off, you
could end up in the dump
like that girl across the street.
I'm sorry.
These men are savages.
If we don't get real farms from a real
doc, she won't survive another night.
We don't have a choice.
Yeah, we do.
Where are you going?
To get money.
Enough for her to see a real doc before
bedtime.
You lecture me about taking chances?
People on that show never come back.
I'm not even trying out for the running
man.
Look, there's a ton of other shows.
Look.
The lowest amount someone won today.
75 new dollars.
I get on one of those, we get the meds.
Oh, no.
People on these games get hurt,
too.
Like, really bad.
Look, it's kids' stuff next to the kind of
jobs I work.
Hey.
Hey.
Promise me you won't go on that show.
I promise.
I'll get you out of here.
Ben.
I need you.
Not yourself.
Say I'm done.
I'm done.
Take your business.
Network building.
Tryouts.
Proceed to your destination.
Loitering will be prosecuted.
I know how it feels to get demoted.
When it comes time to get promoted.
Cause you might be moving up too fast.
Yeah.
If you ever love somebody have a different
set.
I bet the set didn't want you to forget.
And it just don't go like that.
I know how it feels for people to stop.
Turn around and stare.
Signify them this.
And low rate.
Low rate me.
Oh, my.
I'm the underdog.
Now I can handle it.
I'm the underdog.
The underdog.
Welcome to Network building.
Home to the greatest television station.
The only television station.
Oh, shit.
I can stay I'll try out.
Hey.
This guy's in trouble.
Get up and get back in line.
This guy needs help.
No helping.
Step back.
Get him a fucking doctor and I will.
I said step back now.
Keep moving, people.
Nothing to see.
Back in the line.
Well.
Now.
Eyes full.
Mouth closed.
Do not sit down.
Do not lay down.
Eyes full.
Mouth closed.
Do not sit down.
Do not lay down.
Next.
Tap each page to confirm the information's
correct.
What's the triangle mean?
I'll read it to you.
It'll be faster.
Ben Richards, 35, married.
Employment history.
Hired by CGEN.
Fired for insubordination.
Why is there a red triangle on my file?
Hired by Net Utility.
Fired for... Hey, man,
I asked you a question.
Insubordination.
Hired by DefenseNet.
Birth of daughter.
Fired for insubordination.
Poor kid.
You mention my daughter
again, they don't make
glass thick enough to stop
me from choking you out.
Elevator six.
Next.
Proceed directly to your designated
elevator.
Proceed directly to your designated
elevator.
Please stay in your allotted zones.
Hey.
Co-op 27, right?
Yeah.
29, neighbor.
Loughlin.
Ben.
Alright, Ben.
Elevator six.
This is us.
Catch me if you can, motherfuckers!
Woo!
We got the cash if you've got the balls.
The Running Man.
Right.
Yeah.
I'm Tim.
Tim.
Jansky.
Jansky's my last name, and Tim is short
for Timothy.
Got it.
Should we all go around and say our names
one fact?
We can do it later.
I got you!
This is a rest period.
Assessment resumes in 60 seconds.
Thanks.
You didn't have to do that back there.
No problem.
You'll help him, Wilf.
Obedience.
Never.
Heroism.
Useless.
Technology.
Abuse.
Freedom.
Nope.
Authority.
Burn.
Anarchy.
When.
Justice.
Hilarious.
Family.
Everything.
Next image.
What do you see?
Cutest puppy ever.
What about this one?
Aw, it's my favorite flower.
Giving me a hug.
Final image.
Tell me about it.
Infinite bunnies getting
sucked into a naive
tornado, spraying
blood all over the galaxy.
And Mr. Richards,
you are quantifiably the
angriest man to ever
audition for our shows.
Well, that really pisses me off.
Proceed directly to your next destination.
Final assessment.
Ooh.
Our jumpsuits are in here.
You are required to change into your
assigned jumpsuit.
That's bang bang nice.
You must wear your designated jumpsuit to
proceed.
Yo, you got a target on your back.
Richard!
Knew it would be us, man.
Knew it would be us.
Come on, shit happens, right?
Jansky.
Richards.
Ooh.
That's us.
They say you run to add life to your days.
Not days to your life.
I'd say both are pretty fucking true.
Don't miss the final run of the season.
I always thought this was
fake, but... I don't know.
Feeling pretty real now.
Right, guys?
Feeling realiosa.
And it's feeling realer every second,
y'all.
Later.
Hey, uh, you're the man, Richards.
Never would have made it without you.
You like spaghetti?
Slow little something for you.
Slow little something for you.
Hey, so far, so good.
Don't worry, we'll keep it down.
You know.
Mr. Richards?
Mr. Richards?
Need a non-s-curriculum.
Need a non-s-curriculum.
There's not death that man should fear.
There's not death that man should fear.
But never beginning to live.
Dan Killian.
Go ahead.
Relax.
Sit.
You know, critics say the
Running Man represents
a return to the barbarism
of the Roman Colosseum.
I disagree.
I'm not doing the Running Man.
I'm aware of your family crisis.
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.
I'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.
I'm not trying to get myself 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.
Now this is the most thrilling 10 seconds
of video I've seen all year.
Well, they fired me for destroying the
harness.
But you bounced back.
Hired by DefenseNet, the best wages
downtown.
No best dog shit, still dog shit.
Then why beg to be rehired?
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.
Well, I come from the other half.
So they can kiss my ass twice.
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.
Sign the agreement and change your
family's life forever.
And what father wouldn't want that?
And what father wouldn't want that?
Name your thumbprint.
Just press the box.
Welcome to the running man.
Welcome to the running man.
This is exciting.
Ah, there you are.
I'm married.
I assume you two had an understanding
based on her line of work.
She's a waitress at a club.
I've had a nerve.
My apologies.
To mutually profitable collaboration.
I'm agent thug.
Your family alliance liaison.
I'm agent thug.
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.
We'll relocate the fam.
Put them under an assumed name.
That's the one thing you won't have to
worry about.
You have one call.
To the wife.
Let her know we'll be there in the
morning.
I need to bring her this tonight.
I promise I will be back before the show
starts.
No one comes back.
I gotta lock you in a really nice
apartment.
Come on, man.
I had a sick kid.
I'll deliver it now and bring back her
receipt.
Can you give her this too?
Hey, you okay?
Where are you?
I'm at the network building.
I'm fine.
Look, a man named Doug, he's gonna bring
you 500 new in cash.
Take her to Uptown Mercy, alright?
It's 24-7.
Get her a real dime.
Whatever she needs.
Ben?
What did you do?
I'm on the running, man.
Listen to me.
I promise.
I'll be back.
I love you.
I love you too.
We're good.
Americanos Americanos
Americanos Americanos
Americanos Chino Are
those my jello hoobas?
I don't know.
Are they?
I told you.
Never ever wear my shoes.
Ever.
Your feet smell like dead mice.
Now I have to burn them.
You're an insane person.
What is going on here?
Mom, she stole my shoes.
Because I literally put them in my shoe
cubby.
Take off my freaking shoes.
Are you serious?
Yeah.
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.
Showtime.
Let's roll.
Rest.
Because you're running banned.
You're gonna use it for timers,
reminders, and rewards.
Good luck down there.
Are you ready?
Last looks.
One minute.
Watch your back, people.
Stay clear.
You got one job out there.
Say what's on your mind.
You're feeling angry, violent,
degreed.
Don't think before you speak.
That's for pussies.
Go off.
Curse.
Shake your dick at the crowd.
It's all good freebie.
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... Your bouche will not be amused, Dan.
Oh, is this the one?
Mm-hmm.
Yep.
Oh.
I know it's weird to see me in real life,
but you're used to it.
I'm flesh and blood just like you are.
My robot puts my pants on one leg at a
time.
Classic Bobby.
Do not shake your dick at the crowd.
That's a bad note.
He looks great.
Twenty seconds, people.
See you out there.
We're moving.
Bobby T.
There it is.
The new coliseum.
Bobby T.
Bobby T.
Bobby T.
Bobby T.
Bobby T.
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.
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?
Welcome to the game where we give three of
these tough guys all the freedom they want.
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...
Undefeated!
It's the Running Man!
And now... Yeah!
Bobby!
Your tall, tenacious, trustworthy
trailblazer of the truth... Bobby T!
Bobby T!
Bobby T!
Let's go!
Bobby T!
Your fury at the
injustice of the world has
stopped you from
reaching your full potential.
But now, that anger is your superpower.
Embrace it!
Our first runner hails from right here in
Co-Op City.
Ben Richards.
A healthy 35-year-old man who thinks he's
too good to work for a living.
Ben Richards!
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.
That's bullshit!
That's bullshit!
Come on now, show this kid.
Chill out.
That's right!
He bit the hand that feeds him,
because that's what dogs do.
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... The stakes go down!
And the stakes be high.
Because the thousands he
wins... goes to his wife, Sheila.
A night witch... who only takes
the biggest tips... at the Liberty.
If you comprendo my innuendo.
Abandoned by Richards.
It's up to her now.
To raise the tragic...
kin of their sin.
What's that?
I think it's time for...
Come
on, can we hear it?
Do you have any
famous... last words?
Yeah.
Fuck you, Dan!
How long do you think you'll last?
More than enough... to burn this
building down and everyone in it!
How small... does
your dick have to be?
It
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.
I don't know how yet...
but I'm gonna fuck
you up... someday.
That's the spirit.
RULES OF THE RUN!
RULES OF THE RUN!
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?
Me!
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 McColl!
Search and destroy, gentlemen.
Let 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... TOGETHER!
Let them go!
Let them go!
Let them go!
Let them go!
Let them go!
Let them go!
Let them go!
Let them go!
Let them go!
Let them go!
Let them go!
Let them go!
Let them go!
Let them go!
Let them go!
On your marks!
Get set!
RUN!
You
are not on the freebie!
13th and Obama.
Okay.
What's up, man?
Hey!
Take a pic with me!
Okay.
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.
No, you know what?
You're right.
Hey, we should pull over and pick up one
of these hookers.
She can take the pic, huh?
Sickest idea ever, man!
Yeah!
Yo,
Molly, let me in!
Hello?
Molly!
Yo, Molly!
What?
You don't see me on the hatch?
I saw you two blocks away on the infrared.
What do you want?
Look, I need...
two ID cards and a gun.
Forget it.
I don't do guns.
Go see Mickey on 3rd.
What in the hell is your problem,
man?
The running man?
What are you thinking?
I don't know.
I had you pegged for smart.
Look, I didn't have a choice.
Kathy was sick.
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?
God damn it, Ben.
IDs are 100.
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.
Okay.
Go hide out in survival.
It's aisle 5.
I'm going to lock the incinerator.
Oh, I already did.
You don't mind if I check, do you?
All right, you here alone.
Come and get it.
Listen to him.
If he lets go, we're all dead.
You sell a lot of these?
I can't keep them in stock.
Those TVs don't watch you back.
Come on.
Is this going to work?
Absolutely.
Okay, you ready?
One, two, three.
All right.
Let's test out those contacts.
Okay.
Okay.
Can you read anything on that shelf?
All right.
BFE 20.
Holy shit.
How do you have black Irish?
That's not for sale.
Yeah, like I put that shit in my pocket.
Only took a couple grams to blow up fat
Berks in the sewers uptown.
BFE.
Big fucking explosion.
So what's your plan?
I don't know.
Play low with my own kind.
Your own kind?
I'd 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.
Molly...
I had to do it.
No, you didn't.
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.
Well...
Godspeed.
See you on big screen.
New York City?
One way?
ID and cash in the tray, please,
sir.
Safe travels, Mr. Springer.
Thank you.
Mr. Hey, Mr. Your face.
When did you ever saw it?
You say anything, I will kill you so fast
your mom won't even wake up.
But your mustache.
So sorry about that.
I want my sack back.
Now arriving at New York Penn Station.
This is the final stop for this train.
Welcome to the Brandt Hotel, Mr. Springer.
You shaved your mustache.
Fell off on the train.
I hate when that happens.
Everything okay, Mr. Springer?
Yeah.
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.
I guess you can watch my ass take a nap.
We
will end it here.
I love you.
Don't move.
I just hit...
29 to go.
Our hunters are hard at work near
a co-op city netmarked where Mr.
Jansky is flirting with the
clerk that just reported him.
Let's find out if he's also flirting with
death.
Jesus, Tim.
And that's Jansky stepping out with his
breakfast burrito.
Will it be his final meal?
The fuse has been lit.
It's just a matter of time.
Get out of there, buddy.
Better eat up, Tim.
Enjoy those last bites before it's last
rights.
Move, move.
You're walking.
It's the fucking running man.
Here we go.
Oh, man.
Bang!
God.
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.
Hi.
I'd like to extend my stay for three days.
I'd be happy to arrange that for you,
Mr. Springer.
In the same room, if possible.
Of course.
Let me see what I can do.
Thank you.
You're in luck.
Looks like I can keep you in the same
room, Mr. Springer.
Great.
Can I get you a car this morning?
Uh, you know what?
I think I'll walk.
That's what happens in Boston.
This is the last stop, Boston.
Please check your personal belongings
before leaving.
Thank you for traveling with the NetBufs.
Hey, brother.
I need to get off to street.
Oh, yeah?
I'm lookin' for a place to rack out for
the month.
Mm-hmm.
Off net, if you know what I mean.
Oh, is that so?
I'll give you a hunter new for your room
and another hunter for your jacket.
My dude's hundo.
Please, I'm out of here.
...with this rat-ass jacket in that
rat-ass room?
Vala, you need to get a Jamaica plane,
pick up your head meds.
Come on.
Put that shit away.
What are you, trying to get us killed?
Let me see your face.
Where'd you deploy?
Alaska.
Hey, shrapnel.
You ain't seen combat.
But I reckon it ain't stolen, Vala,
if you paid me for it.
Thanks.
You'll see me.
You stay out of my stash.
I catch you in that basement again,
I'm gonna stomp you.
And I'm gonna get Big Bro to take care of
you.
He'll kick your cow-ass over the moon.
Beat it!
Five, two...
Guess I gotta make another one of these
tapes.
You know, I've always been the guy who
followed the rules.
I showed up to work first, I left last.
Nice.
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?
Sweet.
So here I am, a grown-ass man playing
hide-and-seek for money.
I think I'll just lay low.
Keep it cool.
Try not to burn out.
Dupree!
Graved!
Demonic!
Deceased!
What havoc will the remaining runners
wreak?
Tune in and find out.
Next stop, rich and bold, it's those
Americanos.
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?
Relax, Ben.
Mail later.
Good to see you too, Frank.
Give
it a rest, Frank.
At least you got someone to talk to.
Damn, son.
Good job.
See you later.
No, thanks, Frank.
Talk to you later.
What's wrong, Frank?
You're a weird guy, Frank.
I've been with Colson.
And I'm gonna interrupt the Americanos for
a live update from the Running Fans.
Live off the TV.
Let's go.
Whoa!
Running fans, we catch up
currently descending on the location.
Orders have been given.
They're en- Downstairs!
Will this one of them have a chance to
run?
The fuses have been lit.
It's just a matter of time.
Our hunters are triangulating the run's
exact position.
Confirming the location.
I can reveal to you now.
The runner is... Ben Richards.
Mr. Richards talked the talk.
We're about to find out if he can walk the
walk.
I need a rover on three.
Chief McComb has confirmed.
The hunters have found their man.
Things are heating up.
The
runner is trapped inside of the building.
But what's this?
McComb's given the signal.
The rover cams have entered the building.
Any moment now.
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.
And there they are.
The hunters.
Posted up outside of Richards' room.
We're going in.
Here we go!
Hold fire!
Why?
He's not going anywhere.
Bravo.
Huh?
You're on freebie.
The hunters are racing to intercept their
prey.
Better run, Mr. Richards.
This is why we watch, running fans.
Here we go.
Go!
Go!
Go!
Oh my god.
Oh my god.
Stop filming me.
Going down.
We got him.
He's headed for the lobby.
We have reached the lobby.
Richards.
You're going down.
I got a grenade!
Back at ya.
Back at ya.
Right on.
Back at ya.
I'm
still here, you shit eaters.
Hey, come on out.
I know you're here.
Come here, you rat.
Get off me!
You're the one who reported me.
It wasn't me.
I ain't no rat.
Oh yeah?
Let me go!
I'm gonna get Big Bro to take care of you.
You think your Big Bro can kick my ass
after what I just went through?
He's not gonna kick your ass.
He's gonna save it.
You need help.
Man, you gotta get off these streets,
man.
Goons and Zooms all up in this bitch.
Everyone's looking for you.
Hey.
Hey yo, stay here.
I'll be right back.
I got you, Richards.
Get down!
Get down!
He's in here.
I told you.
Ben Richards.
No runner ever survived the Lava Update.
How the hell... We
made it into one.
It's hot, it's hot.
I can pay you.
Just get me off the street for the night.
Hell no.
5ND.
What?
We need street meds.
Our sister got cancer.
Real bad.
Make it ten.
Get her the good stuff.
Goddamn.
Hell of a price on your head.
How fast can you run, Richards?
Faster every day.
Just a shocking amount of destruction
here.
The NCG on tactical alert as
units pour in from neighboring
districts seeking justice
for their fallen brethren.
The NCG bomb squad is on scene combing
through the rubble for evidence.
Preliminary reports indicate Richards set
off the explosion in the basement.
His body is yet to be found.
Baby.
It's time.
I don't get it.
You could set your grandkids up for life
with one recording report.
You think the network
would rather pay us reward
money or make up some
bullshit and arrest us?
What if I gave you enough to get you real
forms?
Say $500,000.
I can get you out of Boston, but it won't
be for money.
Bro, this dude ain't going nowhere.
Goon's got the hood surrounded.
Reality.
Stop.
Just a little pinch and everything's gonna
be okay.
Does Richards live?
Find out tomorrow night on The Running
Man.
You know, you seem like a smart cat.
Who made you sign up to be a cog in their
propaganda machine?
I'm just trying to take care of my family.
Just like you and your sister.
Jim.
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.
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.
And what makes you such an expert?
Tune in and find out.
Welcome to the pulpit.
I don't want a lot.
I want just enough.
So why is it got to be so damn tough?
What goes on behind the scenes of the
biggest freebie 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.
Oh my god.
Type 1, Hopeless Dude.
Hopeless Dude is cursed with a fatal
misunderstanding of human nature.
He usually lasts less than 48 hours.
Come and get me.
Dinner is served, pal.
Take out!
No!
He is cucked!
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.
Make life greater.
Leave a fucking crater.
Bro gets smoked by the end
of week one cause he buys
too much ass and not enough
food with his running start.
A slave to his appetites, he often serves
himself up on a plate.
Suck dicks in hell!
Kaboom!
Runner down!
Type 3.
Woo!
Yeah!
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.
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.
Oh shit.
The crowd wants blood, and Final Dude
becomes a victim of his own success.
They might hide from destiny, but they
never outrun fate.
That's me, McCone!
I'm the Running Man!
Double Kill!
Rest in pieces!
That's game.
Whew.
Is that supposed to inspire me?
Oh, come on, man!
Don't you get it?
After that escape tonight, live,
prime time, you...
You are...
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.
So where the hell's safe?
I'm working on it.
Hey, pen pal.
It's been a while.
You sure you know what you're doing?
Guess we'll find out.
Got a package headed your way.
Yeah, special delivery as seen on preview.
Okay, I see you.
And pick up location B.
Got it.
Mama's coming, baby.
Okay, okay.
Okay.
So how does a five year old get lung
cancer?
Radioactive dust.
From the Rhode Island explosion.
Never heard about that.
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.
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.
Previously on The Running Man.
I'm still here.
You shit eaters.
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.
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.
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 squatter tribes.
The ones who can't get a job.
The kids getting shot for looking at a
goon the wrong way.
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.
Damn cuss.
I didn't say that.
I made a video about the network giving
kids cancer.
It's all fake.
Son, you gotta get him out of here.
Tonight.
Right now.
I want him gone.
What kind of world are we living in?
Running fans.
I've just heard from
producer Dan Killian that a
thousand reliefs doubled
the reward to Ben Franklin.
Now, twenty thousand
new dollars for any
confirmed recorded
reports that leads to a can.
C'mon, c'mon.
It's getting crazy, honey.
Yeah.
The games are on tonight.
Yeah, we gotta roll.
You ready?
Here we go.
Those biker boys are on the bounty hunt
for the reward.
Got it.
Yo, they're following us.
I know, I know.
Stay cool.
They're on us.
They're on us.
Andy, yo, which way to turn next?
Don't stop until we're out.
Yo, what's going on?
They're still on us.
I know.
Go right.
Left.
Sorry, sorry.
There's two.
There's two of them.
I see them.
I see them.
They've got guns.
Straight.
Forward.
Go, go, go.
Look out!
Hold on!
You good?
You good?
Woo!
My pen pal needs a day to prep transport
to a shelter.
You can trust him with your life.
Just don't mention hot dogs around the
man.
You say hot dogs?
Yup.
Go catch that slow train to Maine.
Less people in the sticks, but keep your
head down and don't trust anyone.
This guy.
Name's Elton.
Hardcore.
Down for the cause.
You really think this'll work?
Look, we know they tracked the envelopes.
You pre-shoot the rest of
your self-tapes, my man heads
south, drops them on the way,
while you're safe underground.
They won't know what hit him.
Oh.
You mess with me?
Nah.
Just in case.
Why are you helping me?
You see the power they have?
We don't got each other's back,
this game's over before it even begins.
Hey.
Done.
I
was about to tell you the network fakes
these self-tapes, but if I did,
they'd just fake this one, too.
So, I'm just gonna read you something
instead.
Dear Diary, I woke up with the blahs
today.
I'm just gonna read you something instead.
My regular gig of killing heroic goons was
feeling too routine.
Time for a me day.
So I ate my favorite breakfast in bed to
fenceless puppies.
I could've eaten twenty.
Then I did yoga, I blew up a courthouse.
I know, creature of habit.
But tonight, I'm gonna make love to an
illegal immigrant sheep.
You know how a sheep tells you he's horny?
Baaah.
Mr. Richards thinks he's
funny, but we'll see you
as the last laugh when
McCone catches him lacking.
Now, let's see if Miss Laughlin has burned
through the last of her running money.
We're still here, you shit-eaters!
Damn, Richards, that's a tough act to
follow, but...
mmm...
Challenge accepted!
Yeah!
Oh!
Go off, neighbor.
Oh my God!
Look at it!
Oh!
Who dies next?
Definitely her.
Laughlin, get real.
Sheep boy's going down.
No way.
I got ten clams says Ben Richards dies
next.
Oh, come on!
He's pissed the network off all the way.
That's why he's gonna win.
The guy's got moxie.
Yeah, he's one of us.
Taking on the boys in black, giving the
world the power.
He's your final runner.
That's a bet.
Damn straight.
What do you think, Reverend?
You seen this Richards guy?
No.
But he sounds like quite the character.
What's wrong with you?
He's blind, you fucking idiot.
Me again.
Look, here's the real deal.
I'm not out here trying to fight the
power.
I'm not out here to have fun.
I'm here to win.
And get back to my family.
So you won't see me throwing Molotov
cocktails.
You won't see me throwing parties.
In fact, you won't see me at all.
Just in time, father.
Best take out of Maine.
Bless you, my son.
Hey, father.
Can I ask you something?
Of course, my son.
So I got this girlfriend.
Okay.
Am I going to hell for using rubbers?
You may well go for not using them.
I've done brothers and sisters.
My father said he was in hell every single
day.
Thanks, father.
Have a good night.
Careful out there.
You think you're the guy who stops even
seeing my daughter again?
There it is!
Fuck you, Richards!
Die!
This is a message for my fellow citizens.
And let me make this clear for the cheap
seats.
If I die, on this show, I died for the two
things I believe in.
My wife and my kid.
Everything else.
And everyone else can fuck off.
Game on!
Friday night!
Y'all
know what that sound is.
We're giving Miss Laughlin a run for her
money.
She rolled the dice on a very public
appearance at the Holy Grail Casino.
But didn't gamble that our hunters would
be there.
Move, asshole!
Oh, you are one!
You're on the run!
Lordy, lordy!
Looked like she went bust.
Or did she?
Not so fast, Miss Laughlin.
No blaze of glory for you.
Just a human candle fizzling out on a
lonely Nevada road.
Now, I know what you're thinking.
Barbecue?
You didn't get the kill.
But they did.
Meet Jeff and Cheeto.
Freddy's defenders of their community.
Roll the tape!
Sorry, hunters.
All you managed to kill was my vibe.
Remember, you're not alone.
Remember, kids.
Don't drink and drive.
Unless you're good at it.
That's some hot footage, kids.
Beyond their cash
reward, Jeff and Cheeto will
receive a lifetime
supply of fun twink cereal!
And then...
there was one.
That's right!
Ben Richards is your final runner!
Richards!
If he survives till
midnight, he'll be our
most successful
contestant since season one!
Come on, hurry.
Hunters will be out for blood.
They hate civilian kills.
Things are gonna start ramping up.
Come on.
Wouldn't be surprised if they fire up the
DNA sniffers tonight.
I don't want anything else.
I don't need anyone else.
What a tough guy.
I'm not looking for new friends.
Don't ask for an hologram.
Healthy!
What if he's in dairy?
He's not in dairy, Mom!
Don't worry, it's fine.
She thinks you're an actual demon,
but she's fairly deaf.
We can use our normal voices.
Kill him, wealth bastard.
Hunt him down!
She used to be a kind, clever woman.
This is where it all happens.
Amateur lab for making handcrafted soap,
far as you know.
Normal, non-revolutionary literature.
Wink wink.
Copier for my harmless community
newsletter.
If you follow my drift.
Uh-huh.
So what's a DNA sniffer?
Black ops scanners that ID highly
fragmented strands of DNA.
These things are hidden in every
streetlamp across the country.
Which is why you gotta get underground
ASAP.
Man, if you wanna ask, just ask.
What is up with the hotdog court?
My dad was a cop.
A good cop.
Quit in protest when the network
privatized local police.
He believed officers
should be accountable to
the towns that pay
them, not the government.
And sure as hell not some megacorp.
So he bought the cart.
Busted his ass.
We never missed a meal.
Better an honorable hotdog vendor than a
crooked goon.
But his friends who signed on with the NCG
didn't appreciate his choices.
And they let him know every chance they
got.
He made damn sure we were safe in this
house.
But every time he took that cart out...
Well, you see what it did to my mom.
And this is what they did to my dad.
His buddies on the force never solved the
case.
They're the ones who killed him.
But you can't kill an idea.
Dad was their worst nightmare.
A free man with a conscience.
And everything they destroyed in him lives
on in me.
Like a nuclear blast that never burns out.
Monster.
I'm good.
Any runners?
You can't outrun fate.
And you cannot hide from destiny.
That's actually not true.
Before he was killed, Dad refurbed this Cold
War shelter he found in a nearby forest.
I have a detailed map for how to get
there.
You can survive down there for three years,
but you'll only need it for two weeks.
Pre-shoot the rest of your tapes tomorrow.
What do you think?
Um...
Or...
Maybe just...
Hardcore.
Check this out.
You can be arrested just for having the
truth in your house.
So these won't be distributed until right
after you win.
What the hell?
It's a special issue on the network's most
heinous crimes.
What does that have to do with me?
A bomb's chemicals hold great power.
But without an initiator to make it go
boom, it's harmless.
You know why they cheered for you down
there?
They think you just might win.
And if you can survive against those
goons, so can they.
The people have had it.
This country's ready to blow.
And you're the initiator.
I'm not the initiator.
I'm a guy trying to give back to his
family.
It's you against the world either way,
brother.
Why not be both?
My mom thinks the bathroom across the hall
is haunted, so that's all you.
If the light in the hallway is off,
she's asleep.
Hey.
I appreciate what you're doing.
But if they find out you helped me,
those same goons that got your dad,
they'll come for you.
One can hope.
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.
Ha!
I knew it was you!
Devil murderer!
You stay away from my Elty!
You savage!
Wait!
Mom!
We'll never eat puppies again!
Mom, no!
Mom!
It's okay!
He's a friend!
Elty, no!
Ma'am!
Ma'am!
If you press that button, the NCG will
come and fire you.
Okay?
They will not care who gets caught in the
crossfire.
It will be a bloodbath.
We don't need every goon in the state
coming through that door, right?
Don't.
Network community guard, what crime would
you like to report?
Ben Richards just broke into my home!
Okay, stay where you are.
Why?
Mom saw you.
We gotta get going.
I just need five minutes of fun with these
guys before we do.
Fun?
Grab your stuff.
I'll get the zines.
You're not listening.
It's dangerous!
No!
Mom!
Get in the safe room!
No, Elty!
I wanna see him die!
You hear that, Wilk?
You're gonna die!
They're here.
Let me
go!
I don't wanna miss it!
You dipshits!
You shot up the wrong hall!
We're over here!
We don't have time to play games.
Oh, yes, we do.
Fastest the Hunters ever arrived on scene
was four minutes thirty seconds.
We'll be long gone by that.
Yoo-hoo!
Hey, big boys!
Just before I rock through the hall.
In a place of mystic and identity.
But a bullet through his heart.
Oh, baby!
Oh, baby!
Oh, baby!
I like my bacon extra crispy!
We gotta go!
I am!
Follow me!
Shit!
Oh, yeah!
Come on!
Why are we upstairs?
Run!
Why
are we upstairs?
Why are we upstairs?
For this?
You brought us up here.
So you could slide down a pole?
I brought us up here so we could slide
down a pole!
See?
Four minutes flat.
Told you we'd be long gone.
Long gone?
We are still in the goddamn house!
Not for long!
Tactical flashlight.
Pretty powerful.
Yeah.
Come on.
I'm gonna sever your Achilles and drag you
outside.
Chief wants to end your run in person.
On camera.
Oh!
Oh!
Oh!
Oh!
Oh!
Oh!
Oh!
Oh!
Oh!
Oh!
Oh!
Oh!
Oh!
Oh!
Still there?
Yeah.
Ah!
There he is!
Incredible work, Mr. Richards.
You are killing it.
Killing it?
People are dying, you fucking psychopath!
If you can fake everything, why don't you
just fake the whole show?
Believe me, we have tried.
But humans bring that special,
unpredictable spark.
The audience lives for these happy
accidents.
A little advice?
I'll pass.
Make sure my family gets the money.
Richards, don't go.
You can still win this game, but you have
to play it smart.
I just sent a rover into that tunnel.
Now finish off that hunter.
Wait for my cue to exit.
You want me to off one of your own guys?
It's all good for Evie.
Okay, on you.
In five, four, three, two, one.
Get in.
Floor it.
What about the doors?
Take
back roads to the shelter.
Survival is the win.
Take this map.
Dad's bunker is in the middle of the
forest.
Remember, Richards, you're the initiator.
I
am the initiator.
The thrill of the hunt.
Can you feel it?
Your heart beats faster.
Bright red blood pumps adrenaline through
your veins.
This game is no game.
Life and death are on the line.
Can you feel it, Mr. Richards?
Congratulations.
You took out a hunter.
Now it's down to four of them.
Plus, every citizen of this great nation.
One in five pieces won.
Unless the big rock bunker is dug into the
hill.
Can you smell it?
The acrid stink of fear as the prey animal
realizes he's surrounded by predators.
Reality sinks in as he scurries to hide,
desperately hoping to survive.
But deep down, he already knows it's too
late.
Because... This is
America, goddammit!
And we don't put up with no bullshit!
What lust is our birthright?
Set it free!
Richards chose this path and it's up to
you to show him where it ends.
Keep your eyes open so you can see the
terror in his and hunt him down!
Hunt him down!
Hunt him down!
Hunt him down!
Hunt him down!
Hunt him down!
Hunt him down!
Hunt him down!
I see.
Yeah.
I told
you he'd get you out of there.
People on this show never come back.
This.
is the message for Killian.
Hey, Dan.
Man, I'm starting to get how this game
works.
It's not about me winning or losing.
It's about your ratings.
About how much chaos I can cause.
I'm taking this thing all the way to the
end.
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?
Damn it.
I'll give you a show.
Let's do this.
Let's do this.
We interrupt the Americanos for a live
update from the Running Man.
Who even likes this show?
The Boers, duh.
Zaza.
They're the only ones dense enough to
think it's real.
I know, it's so funny.
So funny.
Please stay tuned.
What's happening?
Okay?
Your window is damaged.
What's happening to me?
Your window is damaged.
Please.
Go, go.
Take it off, autopilot.
Drive.
Take the next back road north.
I can't.
My power's on empty.
Your battery is 93% charged.
Nice.
Those goons are going to frag us if you
don't back this car up right now.
Whoa.
Your car is damaged.
Your car is damaged.
Go, go.
Keep it moving.
Oh, my God.
Oh, my God.
Jesus.
Now I see why you people need self-driving
cars.
You're all calculating.
Keep it pointed north, all the way to the
border.
Go ahead.
Say what you gotta say.
Why?
You can go crazy and kill me?
No.
You have one minute to speak freely.
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
wealth like you.
And that's not a word I use.
That is my family.
Our number finally shows up.
I 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.
Let me ask you something.
How much was that scarf?
Huh?
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.
I'm not of that person.
No, do not start crying.
I will shoot us both if you start crying.
Cry when it's over.
When will that be?
Shit!
Yielding for an emergency vehicle.
Nice!
Disable it!
Disable it!
Do not pull over!
I don't know how!
Yielded in 100 feet.
50 feet.
Pull over!
In 20 feet.
You have successfully yielded.
Nice!
You've been pulled over by the rustic
rock.
We're here to secure our homestead in the
name of the network.
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.
Just go.
The producers just killed Network Musha
instead of me.
They wouldn't do that.
All those men were just trying to protect
me from you.
What is it going to take for
you to get... I'm not the bad guy!
By the way, I don't want to hurt you.
You think they're going to let you walk
after seeing that?
You're on the show now.
No, I'm not!
Richards lives.
And this time, he's got a hostage.
Amelia Williams, a 27-year-old realtor
from Bangor, Maine.
Help me!
He's got a gun!
Welcome to the Running Man.
Help me, please!
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.
Help me!
Turn it off.
He's got a gun!
Just turn it off!
He's been abducted and kidnapped by TRN
Contra...
Richards lives!
Yeah,
it's a circus, all right.
So they're just going to keep filming us?
If a runner gets good ratings,
they let him run.
Richards lives!
Oh, God.
Is that a blockade?
Oh, shit.
All right.
If we play our parts, they'll let us pass.
Okay.
Just keep driving.
We're not going to shoot.
How do you know?
Because they're going to wait for the show
to start.
They're live.
To what life?
Kill me.
They're waving us through.
Why are they turning for you when I'm the
hostage?
Unbelievable.
Amelia?
Can you give me...
You're obviously the hero.
Ah, trust me.
I don't think we're going to need this
anymore.
Record and report.
State your claim.
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.
Do what he says please.
You heard the lady.
.
.
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.
When I used to work at Network
Public Utility, you get these
two ton fatbergs, take less
than a gram to blow those up.
12 pounds.
I'll vaporize everything in a half mile
radius.
Bullshit.
BFE 20 is the most highly
regulated industrial explosive
and you haven't even set
foot in a state that sells it.
Guess Molly didn't tell you everything.
I got my finger stuck in the detonator
ring and it's on half cock.
So, I want one of those big fancy flying V
airplanes.
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, 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.
Shouldn't take long.
He's got a direct line to the boss.
Last chance to run.
No.
You made me feel like I'm the bad guy.
Now I have to prove I'm not.
Why don't you give a shit what I think?
You're not the one I'm trying to prove it
to.
So what's our plan?
Let him through.
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.
What if they call your bluff?
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 freebie.
Act terrified when McCone hands you the
chutes.
I will have to act.
He grabs his gun, you'll know it's time to
go off.
So, you think you're the guy who stops me
from seeing my daughter again?
So start today.
Get on the plane.
Only if you take your mask off.
Audience will love it.
Keep dreaming.
Do what he says.
Okay.
Do what he says.
Take it off.
There he is.
Come
on, show starts at 8.
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.
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.
Looks like you're missing one.
Hey Captain.
How many lavatories are on this rust
bucket?
Four.
Six.
Why don't you check them all for
stowaways?
Anyone sneaks up on me, it's going to be a
real short ride.
So where are we headed tonight?
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.
As you wish.
The seatbelt sign is now off.
Feel free to move about the cabin.
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.
Oh yeah?
You know, you should really put some
makeup on before the show starts.
Fuck the show!
Let's go.
Oh you wanna go?
We can all go right now!
Stop!
Do it!
Do it Captain!
Stop Guy!
Why are you doing this?
See if I twitch.
Show him the bomb!
Show it to him before he shoots you and
kills us all!
Ma'am.
No!
Show it!
Okay.
Because I don't want to feel like this
anymore!
Okay.
Do you fucking hear me?
I'm done!
Let's calm down.
Let's calm down.
I'm fucking done!
Alright Richards, what if I offer you an
amnesty deal and an exit visa?
You're nothing but a Halloween costume.
You can't offer me shit!
Too true Mr. Richards.
He can.
But I can.
How about I offer you a deal?
You tell your hunters in the cockpit to do
what I tell them.
Otherwise... Otherwise I blow
up this jet and everyone on it!
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?
Evan?
Evan, don't.
That's game.
Safety of that weapon, sir.
Evan, are you insane?
The show hasn't even started.
Hand over your gun and go to the back of
the jet.
Thank you.
You can remain there until I say
otherwise.
I need a moment to have a word with Mr.
Richards.
To discuss a sensitive matter.
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.
Another title idea I'm playing with.
The data says the
revenge plot... Revenge.
Revenge for what?
Who is gonna root for a guy who kills your
national heroes?
I call bullshit, Dan.
Let me worry about the creative.
No deal.
The truth, then.
Revenge for your wife and child.
Why would I ever believe you?
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.
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.
They badged their way past the family
alliance agents and...
I'm sorry, Ben.
Not all accidents are happy.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
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.
What's happening?
Tune in and find out.
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... We protect
the Runner's family from harm.
We thought it only
fair to let Richards
administer the penalty
for this grave infraction.
As we go live to Richards, we-He has what
it takes.
Hey, Richards.
You making coffee?
Yeah.
How do you-Take it!
The
He took the other parachute.
I couldn't stop him.
Strip that on.
Keep your head down.
The prey has become the predator.
A cone is trapped.
Nowhere to run.
Nowhere to hide.
Mr. Williams is checking all of the flying
V's in executive toilets.
It's poor.
The fuse has been lit.
It's just a matter of time.
Okay, here we go.
The moment of truth.
Six, bitch.
Uh-oh.
That's gotta be disappointing.
The tension is higher than ever running
for hands.
It all comes down to this.
Ben!
Whoa!
No!
You wanna know who's stopping you from
seeing your kid again?
Me!
You!
You!
You!
You!
You!
You!
You!
Oh, no.
Richardson's taking a savage blow, but he's
still on his... Shut the fuck up, Bobby!
This is how they fire me.
What do you think they'll do to you?
Chum?
You think you're the only runner ever got
offered a deal?
You think surviving two weeks and change
makes you big shit?
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.
Take a ticket 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.
Fuck with your head enough to make you
want to kill it all away.
You're full of shit.
You're all full of shit.
Truth is...
I'm doing you a favor.
Hey!
Killian!
You think I need a gun to waste this
loser?
You outran fate.
You can't hide from destiny!
This is my show now!
Hey!
See if hide's weak.
That's game.
Can I borrow your scarf?
Uh-huh.
You are too unlocked.
This chute should open on its own.
But if it doesn't, just let her rip.
When you get on the ground, just run like
hell.
Don't look back.
Did I tell you?
You're gonna pull that down all the way.
I'm sorry they did this to you!
I'm sorry they did this to you!
I did it to myself.
It's a sign!
I'm not supposed to...
Asshole!
Vengeance plans!
Bandits, 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.
But wait.
Making his freebie debut with a special
message.
The creator of Running Man, super
producer, Dan Killian!
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.
This summer, Ben Richards is...
Hunter 6!
Congratulations, Ben.
And welcome to the network family.
I already got a family.
Did you kill him or not, Dan?
Give it up for Dan Killian!
How many times do you get to tell two
billion people how you really feel?
How does it feel to be a hero,
Ben?
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 freebie 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 freebie.
Watch who pays for it.
Turn it off.
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.
I told you I was gonna burn this building
down and everyone in it.
That was fast.
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.
Are they dead or alive, Dan?
Who?
My family.
Who cares?
If I told you they were alive,
would you even believe me?
We are alive in five, four, three,
two, one.
Okay, have it your way.
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.
Ben, are you insane?
There's 5,000 innocent people in this
building.
Remote pilot engaged.
Look at what you've done.
You happy?
I told you I was gonna fuck you up.
Yeah.
Warning.
Collision alert.
Remain calm, everyone.
The MCT will blow him out of the sky.
Missile inbound.
Missile inbound.
Okay, true believers.
Let's wind that back.
Ben Richards.
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.
I will see you in hell and laugh in your
face.
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.
Shut up and turn it off.
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.
Don't watch freely.
Watch who pays for it.
But questions remain about that fateful
night.
Keep going, kid!
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?
Stop filming me!
The network won't say.
But one thing's for sure.
He's still here, you shit-eaters.
And the belly?
Oh, yeah.
And what else do we need?
Oh, my God.
These are adorable.
Oh, no, sorry, those aren't mine.
That guy outside bought them for you,
Mrs. Richards?
Groceries, too?
That's...
not my name.
You are indeed a tough act to follow.
Thirty seconds!
Where do you think you're going?
You don't hear that?
I'd say that's invaluable.
Valuable audience feedback, Dan.
No, no, no, no, no.
You get back out there and you do your
job.
How about you do my job?
Hey, you've been crushing the regs for 20
years.
I own that audience.
You don't think I can turn this around?
You're the one who wanted to make him a
star, Dan.
Mission accomplished.
It's his show now.
You think he can just walk?
Sweeties, please.
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.
Ten seconds!
Ten seconds, Dan.
Coco, come on, let's go.
You know what?
Fuck that.
This is my house.
I set the rules.
Max the theme, drown them out.
Sir, are you sure this is play the theme
right now?
Season 7, let's go!
Fuck you, Dan!
No!
In
five, four, three, two, one.
And action.
Keep on running.
Keep on hiding.