I stumbled upon a YouTube video that led to the MovieClips YouTube channel’s highlights clips of this movie. And I was like… what did I just see? It’s definitely a hidden gem from the 80s that has all the elements of cult classic.
I really liked the general vibe of the 80s movies (the grainy film tone, fashion), senseless violence and the videogame-style boss battles. Reminded me of The Warriors (1979) — grotesque and memorable style of the enemies, dark backgrounds (must’ve helped saving set design budget, like a lot of horror movies) and a great soundtrack.
Arnold and his friends keep on running throughout the whole movie even more than Tom Cruise runs in his movies, as if they know the movie’s title is The Running Man. Some weird special effects : when they shoot their rifles in the final shootout scene, the shooting looks so fake (the flame coming out of the rifle nuzzles look like party poppers popping) compared to other action movies. Wonder if it was something they intended.
Arnold’s one liners were as remarkable as in other movies, but his acting was just… I’m his fan so I’ll say no more.
The TV show studio’s vibe reminded me of Jerry Springer Show and The Hunger Game’s talk show studio. The show host guy shouting “Americans love TV! We give them what they want!” was definitely the thesis statement of this movie. Felt like this movie called what was about to come in the next few decades.
I’ve just read that the remake will be more in sync with the original novel (didn’t know it was based on Stephen King’s novel!). Looking forward to seeing it when it comes out end of this year.
HellaGritty 
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