Original artwork, not a still
Here is Subzero. Now, plain zero.
— The Running Man ‧ 1987
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
It is a groan-worthy pun and the film knows it: a man who has just killed a killer on live television answers with a gag. That mix of cheap joke and real menace is the late-1980s Schwarzenegger formula, and the film's satire, a state that turns execution into prime-time entertainment, runs on exactly this tone. Fans still quote it as the model action-hero one-liner.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for The Running ManShow the scene
Ben Richards has been framed by the regime and forced onto The Running Man, the state broadcaster's deadly game show, in an abandoned section of Los Angeles. The first stalker sent after him is Subzero, a hockey-themed killer, and Richards destroys him, the first time any runner has ever killed a stalker. Richards then shouts the line at the show's host, Damon Killian. It is one of the film's best-known Schwarzenegger quips, from a screenplay by Steven E. de Souza loosely based on Stephen King's novel, published as Richard Bachman.
Sources (2)
- The Running Man (1987 film), WikipediaLead; Plot (the game zone)Reference checked
- The Running Man (1987) script transcript, Springfield! Springfield!Game-zone sequenceReference checked
Context reviewed