In a dystopian future where the government suppresses the population through a mix of propaganda and a heavy-handed military presence, a former police helicopter pilot, Ben Richards, is falsely accused of a brutal massacre during a food riot. After his attempt to escape from a labor camp ends in recapture, Richards is coerced into participating in a sadistic game show known as "The Running Man," in which convicted criminals are given a chance at freedom by outsmarting and surviving relentless pursuits by professional killers, known as "stalkers," in a large, hazardous arena that streams across the nation as entertainment.

Reluctantly partnering with two other convicts, Richards is thrust into the game, where he must rely on his wits and strength against the stalkers, who are each equipped with their own specialized weaponry and tactics. Outside of the arena, a resistance movement works to uncover the truth behind the government's manipulations, aiming to reveal the real story behind Richards' frame-up and the oppressive regime controlling the populace. Inside the game, Richards becomes a symbol of defiance, his will to survive and challenge the corrupt system turning him into an unexpected hero to the masses who are rabidly following the broadcast, eager to see how the authorities deal with this unforeseen threat to their narrative.