← Back to results
Runaway
1984 100 min United States of America PG-13 12+
★5.8
Science Fiction, Crime, Thriller, Drama
Director: Michael Crichton
Trailers
Description
In the near future, a police officer specializes in malfunctioning robots. When a robot turns out to have been programmed to kill, he begins to uncover a homicidal plot to create killer robots... and his son becomes a target.
Budget:
$8M
US Gross:
$6.77M
Worldwide:
$6.77M
Starring
Tom Selleck
Actor
Cynthia Rhodes
Actor
Gene Simmons
Actor
Awards
Saturn Awards 1985
— Best Supporting Actress
Key opinion
Runaway is widely regarded as a quintessentially dated 80s action film that functions as a competent, if slightly campy, piece of genre entertainment. While its futuristic vision of technology proved remarkably prophetic, the visual execution of its robotic threats struggles to maintain credibility in the modern era.
| Screenplay | The screenplay demonstrates impressive foresight by accurately predicting the ubiquity of modern technologies like biometric security, tablets, and networked communication. | |
| Acting | Gene Simmons delivers a surprisingly effective performance as the film's antagonist, anchored by strong direction. | |
| Pacing | The film maintains a steady, functional pace that allows it to work as an entertaining, uncomplicated thriller for a casual evening. | |
| Production | The robotic designs and special effects appear cheap and unintentionally comedic, undermining the film's intended tension. | |
| Acting | Opinions on the lead performance are divided; some praise Selleck’s believable, understated turn as an action hero, while others find the character archetypes and casting reminiscent of dated television tropes. |