Running Out of Time (Chinese: 暗戰; literal title: Hidden War) is a 1999 Hong Kong action thriller film produced and directed by Johnnie To and starring Andy Lau as a cancer-ridden criminal who challenges a police negotiator, played by Sean Lau, to a 72-hour battle of wits and courage.

As Chueng eats at a diner, Inspector Ho Sheung-sang, a police negotiator, has been called to the scene of a bank robbery standoff that's being bungled by his inept boss, Wong Kai-fat.

When Ho finally arrives, Cheung proposes that they play a three-day long game.

Ho returns to the finance company for further questioning, and sees Baldy entering the office space next door.

As Cheung watches a video feed of the vault at Baldy's office, he puts a screw inside a box.

He meets up with his friend, the Head of Interpol, who's given him information on Baldy, who's wanted for possession of explosives, and one Peter Cheung, the old man who took pictures of him and appraised the diamond.

Using a packet of dairy creamer he took from security, Ho enters the finance company and finds the grate that Cheung's screw comes from.

Ho tries to escape, but Cheung calls him and leads him to an emergency door that turns out to be a dead end.

Ho tries to pick the lock on the emergency door, which is opened by the guy who he encountered earlier when he tried to get into the office.

Cheung, who has been masquerading as his father, sends Baldy proof that he has the diamond and will give it back for $20 million HK.

Ho meets with Cheung at the diner, asking why he's still playing with him even though he's got the diamond and has avenged his father.

Cheung has set the place to make the exchange for the diamond at a bowling alley, which is being staked out by Ho, Wong and the police.

Cheung, who's taken out Baldy's man and the cop while getting the money, takes off his disguise and makes the exchange himself, telling Ho that the "woman" is conning him.

Baldy takes Cheung's bag, which holds a bowling ball, and throws it on the floor in rage, revealing diamonds inside.

The police move in and arrest Baldy for stealing the diamonds from the finance company next door.

Ho catches up with Cheung, finally arrests him and prepares to take him to the police station.