Running on Karma (2003): Cast, Box Office & Plot
Running on Karma is a 2003 drama thriller directed by Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai, starring Andy Lau as Big, Cecilia Cheung and Lam Kwok-Kit. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes and earned $3.4 million worldwide.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 34m (94 min)
- Directors
- Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai
- Original language
- Cantonese
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Running on Karma About?
The premise of Running on Karma without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A monk skilled in kung fu discovers he can see into people's lives and glimpse the future. He leaves the monastery, becomes a body‑builder, and befriends a determined female police officer. Using his prophetic gift, he strives to reshape the forces of karma and alter her destiny.
Running on Karma Themes & Keywords
· 3 tags- gift
- muscle suit
- male stripper
Running on Karma Cast & Characters
Andy Lau leads the cast as Big, with Cecilia Cheung as Lee Fung Yee and Lam Kwok-Kit as CID. Directed by Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai; 22 actors are credited in all.
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Co-director Johnnie To - Co-director Wai Ka-Fai
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Andy Lau as Big - Cecilia Cheung as Lee Fung Yee
- Lam Kwok-Kit as CID
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Jimmy Wong as Yee's Colleague
Also Starring in Running on Karma
· 18 more- Yuen Bun Chef
- So Wai-Nam CID
- Chun Wong Yee's Superior Officer
- Eddie Cheung Captain Chung
- Frank Liu Zong-Ji CID
- Wong Chi-Wai The Hammer
- Hon Kwok-Choi Slippery Thief
- Wong Man-Chun Policeman
- Hon Ping Four Eyes
- Vincent Chi Mo-Chun CID
- Eddie Che Wai-Yin CID
- Karen Tong Bo-Yue Woman Whose Left Arm Shot Off
- Ho Chung-Wai CID
- Wong Jan-Fai Boxing Commentator
- He Shengwei Sun Guo
- Yu Wenzhong Master Wu
Show all 22 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Zhang Shanmeng Jade
- Hou Lian-Sheng Master Wen
More from Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai
More films directed by Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai, best-rated first: Drug War, Vengeance, Triad Election and Office.
Running on Karma Plot Summary
What happens in Running on Karma from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Big Andy Lau was once a Buddhist monk, but a strange awakening shifted the course of his life. He discovers that he can glimpse a person’s past lives, and through those visions he believes he can glimpse how karma will steer their futures. This extraordinary gift nudges him away from the quiet path of a monk and into a far more worldly scene: he becomes a bodybuilder who performs at a strip bar. It’s here that fate collides with Lee Fung-yee, Cecilia Cheung, an undercover CID officer whose duty is to uncover criminal plots and reveal hidden truths. Lee’s world brushes against Big’s in a moment that sets off a chain of revelations neither of them anticipated.
Full summary
The whole story of Running on Karma, scene by scene
Running on Karma Box Office
Running on Karma grossed $3.4 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$3.4M
- International
- $3.4M
Running on Karma Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 2 trailers.
- Trailer Original Theatrical Trailer [Subtitled]
How Well Do You Know Running on Karma?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrays the character Big?
Running on Karma Also Known As
10 alternative titles, including “大只佬” and “マッスルモンク：2003”.
- Also known as
-
- 大只佬
- マッスルモンク：2003
- 대척료
- 절대초인
- 大块头有大智慧
- マッスルモンク
- 무적의 소림쿵푸 마스터
- Бег судьбы
- Đại Anh Hùng
- คนมหากาฬใหญ่ทะลุโลก
Seen Running on Karma?
Movies Like Running on Karma
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Karma, Ahimsa: Stop to Run and Women on the Run.
Running on Karma FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of Running on Karma, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Running on Karma?
Running on Karma runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).
When was Running on Karma released?
Running on Karma was released on September 27, 2003.
Who directed Running on Karma?
Running on Karma was directed by Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai.
More films by Johnnie To Who is in the cast of Running on Karma?
Running on Karma stars Andy Lau as Big, Cecilia Cheung as Lee Fung Yee and Lam Kwok-Kit as CID, among 22 credited actors.
How much did Running on Karma make at the box office?
Running on Karma grossed $3.4 million worldwide.
Does Running on Karma have a post-credit scene?
No. Running on Karma has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Running on Karma in?
The original language of Running on Karma is Cantonese.
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