Our take
The Running Man is an R dystopian thriller on Netflix. Contestants are hunted on live TV with shootings, electrocutions, explosions, and occasional gore. Strong language is frequent. A brief towel scene adds partial nudity. The satirical tone is dark and intense throughout. Adults and older teens only
Uplifting themes
Courage and defiance against a corrupt system
AMU ages are independent editorial opinions. They are not legal classifications and are not issued by the Classification Board, the MPAA, or any other official classification body. Official labels on this site, such as PG or R, come from those bodies or our data sources, not from AMU. AMU guides are not a substitute for official classification. Cuts and details can differ by version. Use them as one input only. You decide what is right for your family.
Story (may spoil tone)
Desperate to save his sick daughter, working-class Ben Richards is convinced by The Running Man's charming but ruthless producer to enter the deadly competition game as a last resort. But Ben's defiance, instincts, and grit turn him into an unexpected fan favorite — and a threat to the entire system. As ratings skyrocket, so does the danger, and Ben must outwit not just the Hunters, but a nation addicted to watching him fall.
Details
Violence Deadly hunts with shootings, electrocutions, and explosions across the…
Deadly hunts with shootings, electrocutions, and explosions across the runtime
Language Strong and frequent profanity in a harsh dystopia
Strong and frequent profanity in a harsh dystopia
Sex / nudity Brief partial nudity in a towel scene
Brief partial nudity in a towel scene
Drugs / alcohol No drugs found in this title
No drugs found in this title
Frightening Relentless manhunt dread and a very dark satirical tone
Relentless manhunt dread and a very dark satirical tone
Self-harm / suicide No self-harm found in this title
No self-harm found in this title
Sexual violence No sexual violence found in this title
No sexual violence found in this title
Child peril / abuse A sick daughter motivates the hero; bystanders including children face…
A sick daughter motivates the hero; bystanders including children face gunfire
Bullying / discrimination No bullying found in this title
No bullying found in this title
Gore / death / weapons Some gore and bloody gunshot wounds; much violence also shown on in-wor…
Some gore and bloody gunshot wounds; much violence also shown on in-world screens
Dangerous behaviour No dangerous behavior found in this title
No dangerous behavior found in this title
Eating disorders / body image No eating found in this title
No eating found in this title
Mental health No mental health found in this title
No mental health found in this title
Gambling No gambling found in this title
No gambling found in this title
Grief / bereavement No grief found in this title
No grief found in this title
Talk after watching
- Ben enters a deadly show to help his daughter. What would you risk for family?
- The nation watches violence for sport. How does media shape what we accept?
- The film satirizes inequality. Where do you see similar themes today?