Runner (2026) Review: Fast, Silly, and Surprisingly Warm

This Runner review looks at a fast, silly action-comedy that pairs Alan Ritchson with Owen Wilson. Here is how it plays out, starting with the setup.

Runner Review: The Setup (No Spoilers)

Hank Malone (Alan Ritchson) is a former Army Special Forces operative who now works as a "runner". He transports items for clients, some legal and some decidedly not. It is a lonely, practical life, and he likes it that way.

Then comes a delivery that matters more than most. The cargo is medical and urgent, and a little girl's life depends on it arriving. Hank is joined by Ben Bishop (Owen Wilson), an unlikely partner, and a ruthless cartel takes an immediate interest in stopping them. The story is set in Brisbane, Australia, which gives the chase a fresh backdrop.

What works

This Runner review has to begin with the pace. Director Scott Waugh keeps the film at 98 minutes and rarely lets it slow down. Rotten Tomatoes' critics consensus calls it fast and gleefully over-the-top, and that fits. The film knows it is ridiculous and leans into it.

The action is the main draw. Waugh stages the set pieces with a clear sense of momentum, and critics have singled them out for praise. They are loud and escalating, and they leave room for the jokes to land between punches.

The film also has a pulse under the noise. The ticking clock of a sick child gives the mayhem a purpose, and the sweetness never turns sappy. That mix of crowd-pleasing action, humor and heart is what lifts it above a throwaway weekend rental.

Performances

The chemistry between the leads is the film's best asset. Ritchson is a natural fit for the hard-edged, physically imposing Hank, and he plays the straight man with a deadpan seriousness. Wilson brings his familiar easygoing charm as Ben, and the contrast between the two gets most of the laughs.

The supporting cast is solid. Rodrigo Santoro plays Damian Zaldívar, and Adriana Barraza appears as Donna Zaldívar, which adds some weight to the villainous side. Leila George as Kate and Sullivan Stapleton as Josh round out a cast with a pleasing Australian flavor.

Not everyone is convinced. Peter Travers, who gave the film 2 out of 4, felt the leads go through the action-comedy motions without making much of an impression. That is a fair take if you want more from the pairing than good-natured banter, though many viewers will find the duo more than enough.

Where it stumbles

The screenplay, by Miles Hubley and Tommy White, is the weakest link. The plot is familiar and held together by convenience, and audience reviews on Rotten Tomatoes mention plot holes. Critics have also taken aim at the story.

Empire gave the film 3 out of 5 and called it serviceable "action baloney". That is about right. If you start asking how things add up, the film wobbles, so it is best to switch off the logic early.

The formula can also feel predictable. The odd-couple setup and the race against time are well worn, and the film rarely surprises. It does the familiar thing with energy, but it does not reinvent it.

What to Know Before Watching Runner

Runner is built for a lively, uncomplicated night out. A little context can help you decide whether it suits your mood.

Tone and Pace

The film runs 98 minutes and rarely slows down. It is loud, over-the-top and knowingly ridiculous, with jokes landing between the action beats. Under the noise there is a sweet streak, driven by the urgency of a sick child, which keeps the mayhem from feeling empty.

The Setting

The story unfolds in Brisbane, Australia, which gives the chase a fresh backdrop. The supporting cast has a pleasing Australian flavor, with Leila George and Sullivan Stapleton alongside Rodrigo Santoro and Adriana Barraza.

How It Compares

The odd-couple setup and race against time are well-worn action-comedy ideas, and the film does not try to reinvent them. Its appeal lies in energy and execution, with director Scott Waugh staging set pieces that critics have singled out for praise. If you know Alan Ritchson mainly from harder-edged action, expect a lighter and funnier side here, paired with Owen Wilson's easygoing comedy.

Who It Suits

• Fans of Ritchson's action work who want something more playful

• Viewers who enjoy Wilson's laid-back charm in a chase movie

• Anyone after a short, noisy, good-natured watch

A Tip Before You Press Play

The screenplay is the weakest element, and the plot leans on convenience. Switch off the logic early and let the banter and set pieces carry you. Viewers who want more than good-natured chemistry from the leads may feel differently, as some critics did.

Who will enjoy it

• Fans of Alan Ritchson's action work who want a lighter, funnier side of him.

• Viewers who enjoy Owen Wilson's laid-back comedy dropped into a chase movie.

• Anyone after a short, noisy, good-natured night out who will forgive a thin plot.

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• Further reading: Runner on en.wikipedia.org