The year is 2019. The finest men in America don't run for President. They run for their lives. Television is now ruling people's lives. The most popular “audience participation” game show is The Running Man – where convicts can win pardons instead of “parting gifts” by defeating murderous henchmen known as “stalkers.” The stalkers haven't had much of a challenge lately …until Ben Rich- ards (Arnold Schwarzenegger) comes along.