"The Running Man" is a dystopian novel written by Stephen King under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. Set in a future where society is controlled by a totalitarian government, the story follows Ben Richards, a desperate man who participates in a deadly game show. Contestants must evade professional killers while the audience watches for entertainment, highlighting themes of survival and societal decay. The novel was adapted into a 1987 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, which diverges significantly from the source material. Both the book and the movie explore the consequences of media manipulation and the loss of personal freedom in a hyper-commercialized world, making them relevant critiques of contemporary society.