Runaway
A robot-policing officer races to stop a conspiracy that turns everyday machines into assassins before his son becomes the next target.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- tense
- retro-futurist
- propulsive
- retro sci fi night
- action movie marathon
What critics said
Critics found the near-future premise and gadget-driven filmmaking promising, but broadly viewed the film as a routine chase thriller weakened by clichés and an overly familiar lead performance.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Malfunctioning household robots and programmed killer machines turn ordinary technology into a direct threat.
The film frames robotics, surveillance, and weaponized devices through an accessible 1980s science-fiction lens.
Jack Ramsay's assignment to handle malfunctioning robots directly drives his discovery of the homicidal conspiracy.
Dr. Charles Luther's programmed killer robots transform automation into an assassination system.
Films like Runaway, and why
The Terminator
near-future killer-machine thriller with a police protagonist and escalating technological threat
Short Circuit
retro science fiction action built around malfunctioning technology, pursuit, and conspiracy
RoboCop
1980s cybernetic crime thriller combining police investigation, gadgetry, and corporate danger
The Lawnmower Man
technological paranoia thriller centered on an ordinary professional confronting lethal automation
Movie Details
- Director
- Michael Crichton
- Release Date
- 1984-12-14
- Runtime
- 100 min
- Rating
- 5.6 / 10 (299)
Cast
- Tom Selleck
- Cynthia Rhodes
- Gene Simmons
- Kirstie Alley
- Stan Shaw
- G.W. Bailey
- Joey Cramer
- Chris Mulkey
- Anne-Marie Martin
- Michael Paul Chan
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Runaway about?
- A robot-policing officer races to stop a conspiracy that turns everyday machines into assassins before his son becomes the next target.
- What is Runaway like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Runaway as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Runaway violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Runaway as moderate.
- What did critics think of Runaway?
- Critics found the near-future premise and gadget-driven filmmaking promising, but broadly viewed the film as a routine chase thriller weakened by clichés and an overly familiar lead performance.
- Which films are like Runaway?
- Films with a similar feel include The Terminator, Short Circuit, RoboCop, and The Lawnmower Man.
- How long is Runaway?
- Runaway runs 100 minutes.
- Where can I watch Runaway?
- In United States, Runaway streams on Howdy Amazon Channel.
