Gal Gadot’s ‘The Runner’ Becomes Prime Video’s Biggest Movie Despite Poor Reviews

Gal Gadot has spent the last decade showing that streaming success doesn’t always align with critical reception. From her iconic role as Wonder Woman to her recent streaming ventures, the actress has established a reputation for leading films that audiences embrace, even when critics are less than impressed.

Her latest film, ‘The Runner,’ exemplifies this trend. This 84-minute real-time thriller, directed by Kevin Macdonald, premiered on Prime Video on September 2, featuring Gadot as Maia Marten, a London prosecutor who must race across the city following the demands of a mysterious caller after her son is kidnapped.

Despite earning a dismal score in the single digits on Rotten Tomatoes, marking one of the lowest-rated films of Gadot’s career, ‘The Runner’ has skyrocketed to become Prime Video’s number one movie globally. According to FlixPatrol, the film reached the top position in 38 countries by September 4, just two days post-release, and has maintained its popularity in over 50 territories since.

The critical response has been harsh, with only three out of approximately 35 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes being positive, resulting in a critics’ score hovering around 8% to 10%, making it the lowest-rated project of Gadot’s career. Critics have particularly criticized the film’s plot logic and pacing, with many noting that the kidnapping storyline unravels under scrutiny. Even the audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, while better than the critics’, remains in negative territory, indicating a disconnect between viewer and critic opinions.

Gadot’s history with streaming projects may explain why ‘The Runner’ has found an audience despite its reviews. Her earlier Netflix film ‘Red Notice’ received a similarly low 36% critics’ score in 2021 yet became the platform’s most-viewed original film for four years. Likewise, ‘Heart of Stone’ was also poorly received but attracted nearly 110 million views.

This trend of audiences and critics having differing opinions has characterized Gadot’s career for about a decade, and ‘The Runner’ seems to be following suit. The film’s straightforward, high-concept premise and brief runtime likely contribute to its appeal, offering viewers a quick, engaging watch regardless of critics’ assessments.

Additionally, ‘The Runner’ faced notable behind-the-scenes challenges. Filming in London during the spring of 2025 was frequently interrupted by protests, leading to the arrest of eight individuals during the production.

These disruptions didn’t seem to hinder the film’s release trajectory; in fact, the surrounding buzz may have piqued curiosity among viewers. Regardless of the reasons, ‘The Runner’ has managed to create a clear distinction between its streaming success and critical reception.

With ‘The Runner’ now leading the charts on Prime Video, Gadot has once again shown that her star power can drive significant viewership, irrespective of critical feedback. This trend has been a hallmark of her career since ‘Wonder Woman,’ and studios continue to invest in her projects.

Whether ‘The Runner’ will maintain its top position in the coming weeks remains uncertain, but for now, it serves as another testament to Gadot’s unique ability to transform poorly received films into streaming successes.

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