Artificially intelligent machines from 2029 send a killer cyborg back to 1984 to kill Sara Connor because, in 2029, her son John will lead the resistance against the machines’ rule.

The story has a classic self-defeating act: The Terminator goes back in time to kill Sara Connor, causing Kyle Reese to follow and become romantic with Sara Connor, causing John Connor to be born and eventually lead the revolution, causing the Terminator to go back in time to kill Sara Connor, . . .
—Michael Main
Kyle: [to Sarah at the Tech-Noir Club] Come with me if you want to live.

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  1. The Terminator by James Cameron and Gale Anne Hurd, directed by James Cameron (at movie theaters, USA, 26 October 1984).
    2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . written by James Cameron
    Gale Anne Hurd
    William Wisher as by William Wisher, Jr. (dialogue)
    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . directed by James Cameron