There is no doubt that the Rick Deckard of the novel is a human being. However, the film in many ways implies that Deckard is actually a replicant himself. Naturally the debate over this rages on in many circles, however, here are some pro-replicant clues to consider:

1. In the film, it is stated that the replicants are prone to collecting photographs, in some sort of effort to collect memories. Deckard too has a collection of photographs, in fact, very evidently antique photographs, of people he could not possibly remember.

2. Inspector Bryant calls Deckard out of retirement, saying that the Nexus-6 replicants are too dangerous, and that Deckard is the only one who can handle them. Bryant: I need ya, Deck. This is a bad one, the worst yet. I need the old blade runner, I need your magic. I need the best.

3. The Infamous "Unicorn Sequence": Some versions of the film have a segment of a daydream or memory that Deckard is having while at his piano, a unicorn galloping through an idyllic forest. As a replicant, Rachael's childhood memories are explained as artificial implants. Deckard is able to interrupt her while she is reminiscing about a childhood memory, and complete it. At the end of the film, an origami unicorn is sitting in the corridor of Deckard's apartment, revealing that Detective Gaff (who makes several other origami creations during the film), has visited, and knows of Deckard's dream/memory. Therefore the implication is that Deckard's memories must be implanted as well.

4. The novel, in typical Philip K. Dick fashion, has the bounty hunters questioning reality, and unsure whether or not they themselves are perhaps androids.

5. Rachael tearfully asks Deckard if he has ever taken the Voight-Kampff test himself. Deckard does not respond. Another dialogue exchange, which when read with the idea that the Police Agency knows Deckard is a replicant is perhaps revealing: Gaff: "You've done a man's job, sir! I guess you are through?" Deckard: "Finished."

6. Harrison Ford has stated that Deckard was meant to be a replicant. In Details (US) October 1992 Ford says: "Blade Runner was not one of my favorite films. I tangled with Ridley. The biggest problem was that at the end, he wanted the audience to find out that Deckard was a replicant. I fought that because I felt the audience needed somebody to cheer for".

7. Only a replicant could survive the beatings that Deckard takes, and then struggle up the side of a building with two dislocated fingers.

8. Deckard's eyes glow (yellow-orange) when he tells Rachael that he wouldn't go after her, "but someone would".

9. Gaff seems to follow Deckard everywhere -- he is at the scene of all the Replicant retirings almost immediately. Gaff is always with Deckard when the chief is around. This suggests that Gaff is the real Blade Runner, and that Deckard is only a tool Gaff uses for the dirty work

10. The shooting script had a voice-over where Deckard says, "I knew it on the roof that night. We were brothers, Roy Batty and I!"

11. Ridley Scott recently (11 July 2000) announced in an interview that Deckard is indeed a replicant. This is the definitive proof. But we like to think by ourselves and let our immagination guess...You can read more about it here.

Are these alone enough to prove that the Rick Deckard in the film is himself a replicant? As with any subjective interpretation, it is really up to the individual to decide. Director Ridley Scott left the idea sufficiently vague-- enough clues to persuade, but perhaps not enough to convince. But who are the 'androids' in the film? The replicants seem to have more humanity than the human beings who have given them their death sentences. Perhaps the replicants were designed too well, and in the end their human instinct for free will means they could only allow them to turn on their slave masters.

Deckard's Description

Harrison Ford & Rick Deckard

Deckard a Rep

Deckard not a Rep

Ridley Scott: "Deckard is a Rep"