Runner Movie Review: A fast-paced chase that never tries to be more than it is

A1 hr 38 minsReleased: 25 Sep, 2026
EnglishThriller & Action

‘Runner’ is a straightforward action film that wants to keep you engaged rather than leave you thinking about it. The action sequences deliver; Ritchson and Wilson are an enjoyable pair, and the film moves quickly enough that the weaker stretches do not last too long.

Cast & Crew

Runner Movie Review: A fast-paced chase that never tries to be more than it is

Abhishek Srivastava
TNN, Sep 25, 2026, 10:00 AM IST

Story: Hank, a former military man turned courier, must deliver a human organ to a children’s hospital, but a cartel member wants it for his family. With armed men on their trail, it’s a race against time for Hank to reach the hospital.Review: ‘Runner’ gets into trouble almost immediately. What starts as a routine delivery soon turns into a fight for survival, and director Scott Waugh keeps the film moving for most of its short runtime. This action comedy follows a courier caught in a dangerous job, with gunfights, car chases, and humour thrown into the mix. At just under 100 minutes, this fast-paced chase never tries to be more than it is and just aims to provide entertainment. One problem leads to another, and the film keeps pushing its characters towards the next confrontation. Waugh clearly knows his way around action, but there is nothing fresh about what he brings to the genre.Set in Brisbane, the plot revolves around Hank (Alan Ritchson), a courier man who served in the military in the past. He is divorced and tries to learn French to honour the memory of his late daughter, who was a Francophile. He has also managed to stay sober for a year and is trying to keep his life on track. Soon things go south when he says yes to the job of transporting a human organ needed for a young girl’s transplant. Ben Bishop (Owen Wilson), the medical courier responsible for the delivery, travels with him. They have only a few hours to get from Brisbane to Gold Coast Children’s Hospital. When Damian (Rodrigo Santoro), a man from the cartel, knows about this, he too gets on to the hunt to steal the organ, as the same blood type is needed to save a member of his own family. Before long, Hank and Ben are dodging ambushes, surviving car chases and fighting their way through attacks, all while rushing to get the organ to the hospital in time.‘Runner’ keeps you engaged when Hank and Ben are simply trying to stay alive and finish the journey. Waugh makes good use of Australian locations, and the action has a physical quality that keeps it from becoming just another noisy action thriller. The fights carry punch, and the film successfully maintains the ticking clock vibe that gives the chase a sense of purpose. The film slows down in the middle when it tries to add more elements to the plot, especially when Hank seeks help from his ex-wife. The cartel never becomes much more than a group of men chasing money, while Hank’s past is used mainly to explain why he happens to be so good at getting out of dangerous situations. A few scenes exist merely because the film needs something to happen between the bigger action sequences.Alan Ritchson suits the character as he manages to sell the physical side of the character without making him look like a superhero. Despite this, he manages to deliver a restrained performance that fits someone who has left his past behind. Owen Wilson is more animated as Ben, who is clearly not equipped for the kind of day he is about to have. His nervousness and constant chatter provide much of the humour, while the contrasting personality and difference between the two men give their exchanges some spark. Thankfully, the chemistry between the two actors works and keeps you invested as the film gets a bit grim during the action. Rodrigo Santoro is suitably menacing as Damian, the antagonist.‘Runner’ is a straightforward action film that wants to keep you engaged rather than leave you thinking about it. The action sequences deliver; Ritchson and Wilson are an enjoyable pair, and the film moves quickly enough that the weaker stretches do not last too long. But there is not much underneath the plot. The cartel storyline needed more detail; Hank’s personal history is only briefly explored, and the comedy does not always sit comfortably alongside the violence. Still, none of this makes the film difficult to watch. It does what it sets out to do reasonably well and then gets out before it has overstayed its welcome. If you are in the mood for an uncomplicated action thriller, ‘Runner’ makes for a serviceable watch.

Videos

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Runner – Official Teaser​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
5 months ago02:23
Runner – Official Trailer
2 months ago

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