Written by: Jay Heilman (9/9/2026)
Ever since Angel Studios announced it had acquired the distribution rights to Runner, the anticipation has been mounting. Months of pulse-pounding trailers promised an enticing cinematic cocktail: high-stakes drama, kinetic combat, and a classic odd-couple dynamic. The core premise is a lean, mean race against time—an elite courier tasked with transporting a donor liver to save a critically ill little girl, thrust alongside an out-of-his-depth partner while dodging ruthless enemies hunting their cargo. It’s a brisk 90-plus-minute thrill ride that channels the relentless momentum of Taken, and for the most part, it delivers the goods.
The biggest draw here is the lead pairing. Alan Ritchson (Reacher, Ordinary Angels) once again proves why he has become modern Hollywood’s premier human wrecking ball. Bringing the same stoic grit and imposing physical presence that fans adore in Reacher, Ritchson supplies the heavy muscle and anchors the film’s grounded brutality. To balance that sheer force, Owen Wilson (Shanghai Noon, Cars) steps in with his signature easygoing charisma, quick-witted banter, and dry sarcasm. The clash of energies evokes the best elements of classic buddy action-comedies—think Shanghai Noon meets tactical military combat—and the chemistry between Ritchson’s straight-faced enforcer and Wilson’s chatty foil ends up acting as the glue holding the entire picture together. Backing them up is Rodrigo Santoro (300, Lost), who turns in a chilling, razor-sharp performance as the calculating antagonist.
Owen Wilson (L) and Alan Ritchson in ‘Runner’
Visually, director Scott Waugh (Act of Valor, Need for Speed) gives the film an energetic, distinct identity by moving away from standard, overused action backdrops. Filmed across eastern Australia, the sun-drenched, unfamiliar urban sprawl of Brisbane adds scenic visual texture to the high-speed car chases and visceral close-quarters combat.
Where Runner stumbles slightly is in its storytelling cohesion. The narrative tends to weave erratically between set pieces, and a few noticeable plot holes crop up along the way—most glaringly, the mechanics of a heavily armed cartel operating so freely across Australian streets is left largely unexplained.
Audiences accustomed to Angel Studios’ traditional wheelhouse should also set their expectations accordingly. While Angel is best known for releasing overtly faith-based and inspirational films, Runner largely strips away any traditional religious elements. Instead, the thematic resonance is subtle, echoing the spirit of John 15:13—“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” – through Ritchson’s character, whose sheer willingness to put his life on the line to ensure a terminally ill little girl gets a second chance forms the beating heart of his mission.
Parents should also take note: while rated PG-13, Runner sits on the far, intense edge of that rating. It is easily one of the hardest PG-13 films to hit theaters lately. While it avoids gratuitous gore, the violence is pervasive, bruising, and relentless, alongside a fair share of language—making the recommended viewer discretion for ages 12 and up well-warranted.
Ultimately, Runner may not reinvent the wheel, but it knows exactly what sandbox it’s playing in. Waugh stages some wild, over-the-top action sequences that will leave genre enthusiasts grinning, and the sheer charm of Ritchson and Wilson’s dynamic keeps the engine revving. It is a flawed, somewhat scattershot, but undeniably entertaining thrill ride from start to finish.
3/5
OFFICIAL THEATRICAL TRAILER:
Released: 9/11/2026 (Theatrically)
Running Time: 97 Minutes (Angel/2521 Entertainment)
Rated PG-13 for strong violence, bloody images and some language.
Links for Runner (2026):
Directed by: Scott Waugh
Starring: Alan Ritchson, Owen Wilson, Rodrigo Santoro, Leila George, Kate Box & Peta Sergeant
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