Theatrical review
Runner
2026 · Action / Thriller / Drama · Reviewed Sep 21, 2026
Seen in theatres
10 / 10
JEFF APPROVED!
Jeff’s final score for Runner — one man, one couch, one honest number.
A note from Jeff
Prior to beginning this review, I wanted to let everyone know that I have decided to change the format of how I do my reviews slightly going forward.
This is being done as I aspire to create books out of all my reviews. I aspire to have them published, thus solidifying myself as an author of books containing reviews of the latest blockbusters.
The review will be written like any previous one, with my personal opinion of it as well as a brief description of the movie in question, but it will end with a personal author’s message from me.
This will explain how the movie is relatable to me in real life and whether or not I would recommend it to any of my close family members.
This will be based on the quality of the movie in question, as well as whether it details a situation that is presently occurring in real life to one of my family members.
Also, each review will end with me signing my pen name at the bottom after the review ends.
It will be signed as Jefferson Bert, which is my personal pen name and was given to me after I made my intentions known to become an author prior to initially starting my movie reviews.
The title of each movie in question going forward will feature the name of the movie, the platform or theatre where it was seen and the year of the movie’s release. It will be followed by “By Jefferson Bert.”
At some point, my previous reviews will be edited to reflect this change.
Content advisoryNot recommended for young children. Violence, gory scenes, coarse language, scenes depicting explosives and arson, emotional implications throughout, some medical images and dialogue, minor romantic implications and partial scenes depicting foreign dialogue.
Plot summary
This movie follows a runner who is tasked with transporting items from one place to another.
He is given an assignment to transport a liver to a child who requires a transplant for her survival, only to encounter a vicious gang that also requires the liver for themselves.
He must fight tooth and nail to get the liver to the child while evading attacks from the gang before time runs out.
This situation clearly presents a life-or-death scenario where time really is of the essence.
Showtimes and screens vary by city and change week to week — check your local cinema’s listings for current times.
Jeff’s take
Despite this movie’s somber and emotional storyline, I feel like it was really quite good.
I enjoyed the violence and the action sequences. I find that this movie is the perfect mix of action and drama, with a tiny bit of comedy mixed in.
This comedy comes primarily from Owen Wilson’s character, as he appears oblivious at certain points to the danger that he and the main character are in.
This movie had some humorous moments one minute and then some heartbreaking moments the next.
I also give two thumbs up to Alan Ritchson’s character in this movie, as he provided the great action sequences in a movie that would otherwise have been too emotional to watch.
Another good point I want to make is that he really showed how far he is willing to go to help someone in need.
Throughout this movie, he is in a fight with thugs and even police in the name of saving a child who would not have a chance otherwise.
This movie was great in its portrayal of the lack of selfishness on his part, as well as having the desire to do whatever it takes to ensure that the child gets the help she needs.
Having said that, this movie is not without its questionable points.
First of all, I didn’t much care for this movie’s main plot, as it appeared as though a game of hot potato was being played with something that can save a life.
It basically depicted a scenario where someone is going to live and someone is going to die, as there was only one liver and two groups of people who needed it.
To make matters worse, one of the two people was a small child.
In my mind, this movie went a little too far in trying to find something that needed to be delivered to the right person at the right time because a child’s life is at stake for most of this movie.
Also, I have to disagree with the setting that was used for the fight scenes toward the end of the movie.
As a person who already doesn’t like hospitals on a personal level, at least I can say that anyone who gets admitted into one for whatever reason is in good hands, as they are generally in the care of people who can help them.
However, without saying too much more, as I do not want to ruin the movie for those who haven’t seen it yet but want to see it, I will say that the hospital is prominently featured toward the end of the movie.
In my mind, this setting is used much more than it needs to be.
Despite this movie’s questionable points, I can’t overlook the fact that it’s a great movie.
This is one that I would definitely recommend for people who can’t decide whether to watch a tearjerker or a full-on fight to the bitter end.
It is for people who can’t decide whether to hold a box of Kleenex or cheer at the sight of blood and broken bones.
This movie provides the perfect mixed bag for any desired emotion to be shown.
It can be very painful and also very sad, but one thing is for sure: it was really good and will definitely receive a passing score!
Jeff-O-Meter final score: 10/10
Verdict
Worth watching
It can be very painful and also very sad, but one thing is for sure: it was really good and will definitely receive a passing score!
10 / 10
JEFF APPROVED!
Jefferson Bert’s personal author message
While Owen Wilson provided some much-needed comic relief to a story that would otherwise be labelled a tearjerker, it is not one that I would recommend to those closest to me.
This is due to its portrayal of cancer and the threat of succumbing to it.
The topic of cancer is one that has been felt by certain members of my family in the last couple of years, as well as right now, as there is a member of my family currently fighting it at the time of this writing.
My overall belief is that the people who are closest to my family member who is battling this would not be able to hold in their emotions if they were to view this film.
Also, this is something that my mother suffered from years ago and thankfully survived, but she is still feeling the effects of that period in her life to this day.
As I have a great relationship with my mother and emotionally suffered myself as she was dealing with the illness, it is not one that I believe should be viewed by anybody closest to me, despite the positive overall review I gave it.
I do find that it is just too emotional for anybody in my family to handle.
By: Jefferson Bert