‘The Runner’ Rotten Tomatoes Score Revealed as Critics Highlight Clichéd Elements
Prime Video has heavily invested in star-driven thrillers in recent years, banking on the appeal of a familiar face racing against time to attract subscribers browsing their homepage. While this strategy has proven successful in the past, it also sets a high bar for each new release, which must compete with a genre that has been explored extensively.
Gal Gadot’s latest venture into this realm debuted this week, boasting a strong team behind the scenes, including director Kevin Macdonald and cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle, known for his work on films like ’28 Days Later.’ The premise appeared promising: a high-powered London attorney thrust into a frantic, real-time chase across the city after her son is kidnapped.
However, as reviews come in, the outlook seems grim. ‘The Runner’ currently holds a mere 10% on the Tomatometer based on 10 reviews, with critics largely agreeing that the film’s polished visuals cannot make up for a lackluster and predictable script.
The consensus surrounding ‘The Runner’ echoes a common critique: style often overshadows substance. Variety’s review pointed out that while the film has energy, it lacks the suspense and originality necessary to elevate a familiar storyline, criticizing its attempts at “retro cool” through a couple of Blondie tracks that only highlight the film’s lack of personality.
Screen Rant’s review echoed similar sentiments regarding the film’s voice-on-phone thriller format, suggesting that while the script is adequately plotted, it fails to maintain interest once the pace slows. The review also critiqued Macdonald’s stylistic choices, implying that his efforts to inject excitement ultimately make ‘The Runner’ feel like a lesser imitation of a Danny Boyle film.
Other reviews were even more blunt. AV Club’s review assigned the film a harsh D- grade, while Flickering Myth’s assessment criticized the film for its unsatisfying climax, noting that the villain and the underlying court case lose significance by the time the credits roll.
Gadot’s performance has also faced scrutiny, with several reviews labeling her as a weak link. One review described her line delivery and emotional expressions as clumsy and somewhat awkward, despite acknowledging her apparent effort.
In contrast, Damian Lewis, who portrays the enigmatic kidnapper known only as “the Caller,” received more favorable feedback for fully embracing the character’s menace and dark humor. Many reviews highlighted the dynamic between Lewis and Gadot as one of the few aspects keeping the film’s energy alive once the initial premise begins to fade.
The film’s real-world London backdrop received better reviews than its storyline, with critics praising how cinematographer Dod Mantle transformed the city’s bustling streets into a genuinely kinetic, obstacle-laden setting for Maia’s desperate run.
With ‘The Runner’ now available for streaming on Prime Video following its premiere on September 2, it joins a growing list of star-led thrillers that generated significant pre-release buzz but struggled to impress critics upon review.
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