--- title: "Runner: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/runner/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/runner" critics_score: 56 critics_reviews: 10 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Runner (2026): what the critics said Critics' score 56 from 10 reviews: 4 positive, 3 mixed, 3 negative. The reviews lean mildly positive but split almost evenly across the scale, and the praise clusters in one place: Alan Ritchson. Most critics find him the reason to stay, and several note his chemistry with Owen Wilson, though HeyUGuys thinks Wilson is underused. The action earns credit too, particularly the car stunts and a few forcefully staged set pieces, and more than one reviewer enjoys the human-organ MacGuffin and the pace. The reservations gather around the script and the tone. Thin plotting, underdeveloped characters and an ending Radio Times calls a cheat come up repeatedly, and several critics find the gore sits awkwardly beside the comedy and the reaches for sentiment. The spread is wide: The Wrap credits director Scott Waugh with balancing all three, while RogerEbert.com finds the film abrasive, illogical and no fun at all. The Telegraph goes further on pacing, with a middle act that dawdles and a hospital climax that exhausts. ## Variety — Todd Gilchrist Fi1m's normalised score 71/100 (inferred from the text). 8 September 2026. The critic finds the action thriller passable and entertaining thanks to its efficient runtime and the chemistry between leads Alan Ritchson and Owen Wilson, but notes it feels like middle-tier fare hampered by thin plotting and some cheap production values. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2026/film/news/runner-review-alan-ritchson-owen-wilson-1236855275/) ## Empire — Helen O’Hara Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 11 September 2026. O’Hara finds the film enjoyable, serviceable action entertainment that succeeds through pace and effectively delivered mayhem. She singles out its inspired human-organ MacGuffin and the crunchy kills, while noting its familiar character dynamic. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/runner/) ## The Guardian — Adrian Horton Fi1m's normalised score 68/100 (inferred from the text). 8 September 2026. The critic finds the film silly but entertaining, with its action-camp sensibility winning over its attempts at emotional sincerity. They praise the inventive, forcefully staged stunts and action sequences. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/sep/08/runner-review-alan-ritchson-owen-wilson) ## The AV Club — Simon Abrams Rating C. 3 September 2026. The critic views it as a mostly forgettable action programmer buoyed by Ritchson’s star presence and a few thrilling car stunts, but hampered by unremarkable fight scenes, underdeveloped characters, and a script that fails to make the leads compelling when not in action. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/runner-review) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Frank Scheck Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 2 September 2026. The critic finds it a propulsive and relentless buddy thriller with impressive action sequences and strong chemistry between Ritchson and Wilson, but notes that the ultra-violent mayhem clashes with comic touches and leaves a bad aftertaste, with some unearned emotional elements. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/runner-review-alan-ritchson-owen-wilson-1236680903/) ## Radio Times — Matt Glasby Rating 2/5. 2 September 2026. The critic finds the high-concept thriller entertaining enough in stretches but undermined by a script that breaks its own rules and an ending that feels like a cheat. Background details capturing London's kinetic energy are singled out as the strongest element. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/gal-gadot-the-runner-review/) ## The Telegraph — Tim Robey Rating 2/5. 10 September 2026. The critic finds the odd blend of goofiness, gore and sentiment makes for a peculiar action comedy with jarring tone and poor pacing that struggles to maintain momentum. The script's best line and the stars' bickering are noted, but the middle act dawdles and the hospital climax is exhausting. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2026/09/10/runner-two-star-review/) ## RogerEbert.com — Brian Tallerico Fi1m's normalised score 20/100 (inferred from the text). 2 September 2026. The critic calls the film abrasive and illogical, faulting its convoluted plot, shallow execution, and failure to generate tension or fun despite constant movement. The frenetic visual style and lack of emotional grounding are highlighted as major flaws. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-runner-gal-gadot-prime-video-movie-review-2026) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 2 September 2026. The critic praises the film as a lively, entertaining action-comedy that succeeds where a similar recent release fails. Scott Waugh is singled out for expertly balancing comedy, character work, and high-quality action sequences. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/runner-review-alan-ritchson-owen-wilson/) ## HeyUGuys Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). The critic finds the film silly and predictable but ultimately entertaining. Alan Ritchson’s charismatic performance is singled out as the quality that carries it, while Owen Wilson is underused. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/runner-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/runner.md