Alan Ritchson and Owen Wilson Action Comedy Runner Debuts to 70% on Rotten Tomatoes
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12.09.2026 14:05
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2 min read
The action comedy Runner, starring Reacher’s Alan Ritchson and Owen Wilson, has premiered in US theaters. Initial reviews from film critics have been moderately positive, with the movie holding a 70% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on over 40 reviews.
A Race for a Donor Organ and an Odd-Couple Duo
Directed by Scott Waugh (Need for Speed, Expend4bles), the film centers on combat veteran Hank Malone (Ritchson), who is tasked with delivering a donor liver to save a critically ill girl’s life. Along the way, Owen Wilson’s character joins him, and the pair soon find themselves targeted by mercenaries from a powerful crime cartel intent on intercepting the valuable medical container.
The action film runs a concise 1 hour and 37 minutes and carries a PG-13 rating. According to the official Angel Studios distributor website, the filmmakers intentionally relied on the proven formula of classic 1990s buddy movies.
New clip from 'Runner' starring Alan Ritchson and Owen Wilson
— Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) September 10, 2026
It follows an ex-soldier who must outrun a ruthless cartel while delivering a life-saving medical organ
In theaters tomorrow 🍿 pic.twitter.com/dCLyz7xNHH
Critics’ Verdict: Unpretentious B-Movie with Great Chemistry
Most reviewers agree that while the script lacks originality, the dynamic between the leads makes for solid entertainment. IGN rated the film 6 out of 10, calling it a straightforward ride elevated by Ritchson’s physical presence in hand-to-hand combat and Wilson’s effortless self-deprecation.
A reviewer for The Guardian described Runner as a solid old-school B-movie where cartoonish villains and spectacular car crashes take priority over strict realism. TheWrap also praised the stunt coordination and the balance between violent gunfights and comedic banter.
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the movie holds a solid “Fresh” status. While it doesn’t reinvent the genre, the film succeeds as a solid, breezy weekend action flick powered by strong chemistry between its leads.
