Alan Ritchson’s massive physique does the heavy lifting in “Runner.”
The special ingredient that puts his performance over the top? His equally bulky heart.
The “Reacher” star proves a double threat in this slick, fast-paced buddy pairing. Sure, co-star Owen Wilson can dole out buddy chemistry in his sleep, but it’s Ritchson’s work that catches us by surprise.
A very pleasant surprise.
Ritchson stars as Hank, a former Navy SEAL and recovering alcoholic who is trying to get his life back on track. The screenplay sketches out some of his woes, including a deeply personal death in the family and a divorce he didn’t want.
His current gig is a straightforward one. He’s a professional “runner,” moving objects and people from one place to the next.
Simple. Direct. And his hulk-like physique should coax anyone standing in his way to leave – immediately.
He doesn’t give much thought to his latest assignment – carry a precious liver to a young girl who will die without the transplant.
Except the liver comes with a delivery guru. That’s Ben (Wilson), who insists on accompanying Hank on this mission. The two won’t be alone for long.
An unsavory cartel thug named Damien (Rodrigo Santoro, filling in the blanks of his generic character) wants that organ for a family member. And he has a small army of thugs ready to retrieve it at all costs.
Special delivery!
The official RUNNER poster is here.
Alan Ritchson and Owen Wilson star in this high-stakes action-comedy thriller, coming to theaters September 11. pic.twitter.com/TSVp6Bzw8j— Angel (@AngelStudiosInc) July 15, 2026
“Runner” is as direct as its plot. This is buddy-action-comedy 101, but the formula clicks if the leads do the same. Ritchson and Wilson connect instantly and that bond never fades.
Ben is a non-stop talker, the kind of guy who wins you over with sheer force of will. Hank is more stoic and has too much on his mind, but it’s hard to resist Ben’s tenacious approach to, well, everything.
The script doesn’t have them bickering for the first half of the film only to thaw later on. It’s more subtle, and that’s one of several refreshing elements here.
Another? The stakes are higher than usual for a film of this brand. The third act takes a twist sure to surprise many, but it’s handled with grace and gives way to a bittersweet resolution.
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It’s easy to take Wilson’s skill set for granted by now. He’s always low-fi charming and magnetic, and he never appears to be phoning his shtick in. Here, his character isn’t intimidating in the least, but Ben’s heart is surprisingly strong.
Director Scott Waugh (“Act of Valor,” “Expend4bles”) does the rest, staging exciting chases and fisticuffs that make every set piece pop. It must be brutal to create novel action beats in 2026. Every third film ups the ante on the formula, adding a new wrinkle that makes every punch feel like a haymaker.
Waugh and co. use Ritchson’s frame to their advantage, but their collective creativity deserves a separate huzzah. Even better? Waugh knows how intimidating his star can appear on screen, but he’s nowhere near as bulletproof as Ah-nold or Sly in his prime.
Again, refreshing.
“Runner” isn’t particularly memorable, and the buddy boilerplate will always feel a tad familiar. That doesn’t detract from the film’s eagerness to lean hard into an unbreakable film genre.
HiT or Miss: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Genre: Action/Comedy
Runtime: 97 minutes
Where to Watch: In Theaters Sept. 11)
Family Friendly? Strong violence, some adult language and mature themes. (PG:13)