Movie Review: ‘Runner’ | Moviefone

(L to R) Owen Wilson and Alan Ritchson in 'Runner'. Photo: Angel Studios. — (L to R) Owen Wilson and Alan Ritchson in ‘Runner’. Photo: Angel Studios.

The new action comedy ‘Runner’, which was directed by Scott Waugh (‘Expend4bles’), opens in theaters on September 11th.

Runner

“Next-day delivery isn’t an option.”

Release Sep 11, 2026Runtime 1h 37m

The film stars Alan Ritchson (‘Reacher’), Owen Wilson (‘Loki’), Rodrigo Santoro (‘Westworld’), Leila George (‘Love Story’), and Adriana Barraza (‘Blue Beetle’).

Related Article: Owen Wilson, Rodrigo Santoro and Director Scott Waugh Talk ‘Runner’

Initial Thoughts

Alan Ritchson stars in 'Runner'. Photo: Angel Studios. — Alan Ritchson stars in ‘Runner’. Photo: Angel Studios.

While it does not reinvent the wheel, ‘Runner’ is an enjoyable throwback to classic buddy comedies from the ’80s and ’90s like ‘Midnight Run’ and ‘Bad Boys’. Director Scott Waugh executes some impressive action sequences, but its the character-driven story and the chemistry between the lead characters that really fuel the film.

Alan Ritchson gives a commanding performance as a no-nonsense former soldier forced to partner with an annoying and fast-talking Owen Wilson in order to save a little girls’s life. The two actors have a very entertaining onscreen chemistry together that really drives the movie. However, in their way of fulfilling their task is Rodrigo Santoro’s perfectly over-the-top villain, who has his own personal reasons for wanting to see the pair fail.

What could easily have become a throwaway buddy comedy is elevated to a fun and compelling movie thanks to the character’s strong relationships and the cast’s excellent performances.

Story and Direction

(L to R) Owen Wilson and 'Runner' director Scott Waugh. — (L to R) Owen Wilson and ‘Runner’ director Scott Waugh.

The film begins by introducing us to Hank Malone (Alan Ritchson), a down on his luck former American soldier living in Austrailia who is tasked with escorting Ben Bishop (Owen Wilson) to a local hospital so the liver he is transporting can get to the sick little girl who needs it in time. But standing in their way is dangerous cartel leader Damian Zaldivar (Rodrigo Santora) who desperately needs the liver for his own personal reasons. Now, Ben and Hank, who instantly don’t get along, must work together in order to avoid Zaldivar’s assignation attempts and save the little girl waiting for the liver.

The first half of the movie is almost a beat-for-beat remake of ‘Midnight Run’, even including a scene where Ben and Hank ask Hank’s ex-wife for help, just like the scene in the 1988 movie where Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin’s characters ask De Niro’s ex for help. But since ‘Midnight Run’ is one of my favorite movies of all time, that “homage” didn’t bother me, and the film definitely finds its own way by the half way point, completely diverging from the 80s comedy and paving its own path to its conclusion.

While it does take inspiration from previous films, the screenplay by Miles Hubley and Tommy White knows exactly what it is and succsessfuly creates fully formed characters with believable motivations. Director Scott Waugh, best known for action movies like ‘Act of Valor’ and ‘Expend4bles’, delivers some exciting action sequences, including one in an outdoor market, but never loses sight of exploring the complex characters and their complicated relationships.

Cast and Performances

Owen Wilson stars in 'Runner'. Photo: Angel Studios. — Owen Wilson stars in ‘Runner’. Photo: Angel Studios.

‘Reacher’ actor Alan Ritchson was born to be a big screen action star and he has been making the transition from television well with appearances in films like ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’, ‘War Machine’ and ‘Motor City’. But with ‘Runner’, Ritchson gets to explore another side of his action persona. While basically playing the straight-man to Owen Wilson’s comedic character, Ritchson shows off a new side of of himself playing a recovering alcoholic trying to put his life back together. You expect the actor to be believable in the action sequences, which he is, but his character development and excellent comedic chemistry with Wilson was a real surprise.

For his part, Owen Wilson is the “secret sauce” that makes ‘Runner’s recipe taste so good. Wilson’s comedic persona works perfectly with the character of Ben, and allows him to be just annoying enough to bother Hank, but never become annoying to the audience, thanks to Wilson’s gravitas as a performer. Wilson is both funny and endearing in the role, and his onscreen chemistry with Ritchson really drives the film.

Actor Rodrigo Santoro gives a very strong performance as Damian, a role that could have easily become a generic action movie villain. But instead, Santoro gives a full formed and very funny performance as an out-of-control cartel member whose own motivations are character-driven and relatable to the audience, making him a much more grounded antagonist.

Final Thoughts

Rodrigo Santoro stars in 'Runner'. Photo: Angel Studios. — Rodrigo Santoro stars in ‘Runner’. Photo: Angel Studios.

In the end, ‘Runner’ doesn’t deliver anything we haven’t seen before, but rather, repackages the best elements of the genre to create a very enjoyable and funny buddy action film. With competent action sequences, relatable three-dimensional characters, strong performances and great chemistry between the leads, ‘Runner’ is worth seeing for anyone who is a fan of the genre.

‘Runner’ receives a score of 80 out of 100.

'Runner' opens in theaters on September 11th. — ‘Runner’ opens in theaters on September 11th.

What is the plot of ‘Runner’?

A delivery man (Alan Ritchson) is tasked with bringing a new healthy liver to a sick girl and is forced to escort the man (Owen Wilson) who brought the liver while evading ruthless mercenaries who plan on taking the liver for their benefit.