The Runner

Play trailer

1:48

The Runner

PG-13

2026

1h 24m

Action

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

10%

Tomatometer

52 Reviews

31%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

In the pulse-pounding psychological thriller The Runner, Maia Marten (Gal Gadot) has built her life on being one step ahead -- a sharp, resourceful, high-powered lawyer at the top of London's legal world. During her routine morning run, a single phone call shatters her world: her son has been taken. The instructions to get him back are simple and merciless -- keep moving, follow every command, and tell no one. Stop, and he dies. Forced to sprint through the city and obey a series of sinister commands, Maia must confront an impossible question: how far will she go to bring her son home? Set against the backdrop of London's hyper-connected streets, The Runner is a visceral, high-stakes race where every second counts, every choice carries a price, and a mother's unstoppable love becomes the most dangerous weapon of all.

Watch on Prime Video

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

An empty, relentlessly frantic thriller, The Runner's real time gimmick and flat-footed plotting generate more headaches than suspense.

Read Critics Reviews

Jared Richards

The Age (Australia)

Sep 9, 2026

2/5

Despite its blackmail plot unfolding (loosely) in real-time, this forgettable 84-minute thriller is devoid of any rising tension.

Go to Full Review

Peter Travers

The Travers Take

Sep 4, 2026

1/4

In this dumb-as-dirt kidnap drama, Gal Gadot huffs and puffs, trying to outrun an idiot plot that goes nowhere in 84 minutes.

Go to Full Review

Robert Daniels

New York Times

Sep 3, 2026

Gal Gadot takes a mighty stumble in the unimaginative thriller “The Runner.”

Go to Full Review

Nicholas Bell

Fish Jelly Films (YouTube)

4 days ago

1/5

Whether she's running, or stays in one spot It seems there's not much to Gal Gadot. And there's just nothing new to see in The Runner Which starts out dumb and then quickly gets dumber.

Go to Full Review

Rachel Wagner

Hallmarkies Podcast

5 days ago

the plot is absurd but might be enjoyable as a dumb thriller

Go to Full Review

Joseph Robinson

Fish Jelly Films (YouTube)

Sep 10, 2026

1/5

No amount of frantic editing or overbearing music can outpace The Runner’s ridiculous story, bizarre visuals, corny dialogue, and Gal Gadot’s wooden performance.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Jerod S

@jeroduptown 20 hrs ago

It's just too much running. Could've built the tension with a better setup.

See more

Steven F

@RT12425181 20 hrs ago

Probably one of the most predictable and drawn out movies , something I wish I had never started as the acting was wooden and low quality throughout.The plot was as bad as the acting throughout .So painful to watch I felt embarrassed for anyone connected with this debacle, no redeeming features throughout.

See more

Milla V

@RT24842636 22 hrs ago

What a terrible actress and such a bad movie. I’ve never seen acting this awful. The dialogue is cringe, the acting is painfully forced, and the whole movie feels like a complete waste of time. I honestly don’t know how this got approved.

See more

Iron M

@RT36912263 1 day ago

predictable,derivative story, weak suspense, inconsistent plot logic.

See more

Andrew G

@Angv23 1 day ago

Don't waste your time on this movie. The plot makes no sense, the editing is terrible, and the acting is completely stiff. Gal Gadot seems completely detached and uninspired, giving the impression that she only did the movie for a quick paycheck rather than being invested in the role. Save your hours and skip it entirely.

See more

Erefaan I

@RT09068007 1 day ago

Bad acting. Honestly a complete waste of time. Geez.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Kevin Macdonald

Director

Gal Gadot

Maia

Damian Lewis

The Caller

Rory Wilmot

Noah

Alfred Enoch

Ted

Phoenix Di Sebastiani

Tafa

The Runner: Movie Clip - Subway Chase

1:03

Now Playing

View more videos

The Runner: Trailer 1

1:48

Now Playing

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

In the pulse-pounding psychological thriller The Runner, Maia Marten (Gal Gadot) has built her life on being one step ahead -- a sharp, resourceful, high-powered lawyer at the top of London's legal world. During her routine morning run, a single phone call shatters her world: her son has been taken. The instructions to get him back are simple and merciless -- keep moving, follow every command, and tell no one. Stop, and he dies. Forced to sprint through the city and obey a series of sinister commands, Maia must confront an impossible question: how far will she go to bring her son home? Set against the backdrop of London's hyper-connected streets, The Runner is a visceral, high-stakes race where every second counts, every choice carries a price, and a mother's unstoppable love becomes the most dangerous weapon of all.

Director: Kevin Macdonald
Producer: David Kosse
Screenwriter: Mark Gibson
Distributor: Prime Video
Production Co: Rockwood Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Action, Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 2, 2026
Runtime: 1h 24m

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings