Alan Ritchson and Owen Wilson’s ‘Runner’ Gets Mixed Reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, But Critics Love Their Unlikely Chemistry

Alan Ritchson and Owen Wilson are an odd pair on paper, but that may be exactly what makes Runner work. The new action thriller from Angel Studios has arrived with plenty of guns, brutal fights and high-speed chases, but critics seem most interested in the unlikely team at the center of it all. While the movie has received mixed reviews, the chemistry between its two leads is getting some of the strongest praise.

Runner stars Ritchson as Hank Malone, a former soldier who now works as a courier in Australia. His latest job quickly turns into something much bigger when he discovers that the package he is carrying is a healthy liver needed by a seriously ill child. What should have been a simple delivery becomes a dangerous race against time when Hank is forced to work with Ben Bishop, played by Wilson.

Things get even worse when a group of ruthless criminals begins chasing them. Rodrigo Santoro plays Damian Zaldívar, the main villain, who wants the liver for his own purposes. The story then turns into a long chase across Queensland, with Hank and Ben trying to stay alive while making sure the organ reaches the child who needs it.

According to Rotten Tomatoes, Runner currently has a 65% Tomatometer score based on 17 reviews. That puts the film in mixed-review territory. It is not a major critical hit, but it is also far from being a complete miss. The score suggests that many critics see enough good in the movie to recommend it, even if they have some problems with the way it handles its story and tone.

One of the biggest issues mentioned by critics is the movie’s changing mood. Runner can be violent and serious one moment, then suddenly turn to comedy when Wilson’s character steps in. Some reviewers felt that this creates a strange mix that does not always come together. The movie wants to be a hard-hitting action thriller while also giving Wilson room to bring his familiar comic style.

Still, that same contrast seems to be one of the reasons some critics enjoyed the film. Reviews have praised Ritchson and Wilson as an “enjoyably mismatched” pair. Ritchson brings a quiet and serious presence to Hank, while Wilson plays Ben with a much more talkative and playful energy. Their different personalities give the movie something beyond the usual action formula.

The action itself has also received attention. Director Scott Waugh has a background as a stunt performer, and that experience shows in the film’s physical scenes. Critics have pointed to the heavy fight sequences and hard-hitting stunts as some of the movie’s stronger elements. Waugh, who also directed Expend4bles, appears to have put a lot of focus on making the action feel physical rather than overly polished.

There is also an interesting story behind Ritchson and Wilson’s partnership. Wilson told WUSA9 that the two actors had spoken on the phone before filming, but they did not actually meet face-to-face until production started in Australia. Despite that unusual start, the pair appears to have found a rhythm once cameras began rolling.

Santoro also discussed the physical side of the production. He said the size difference between himself and Ritchson helped shape his approach to playing the villain. Santoro also revealed that he handled a large part of his own stunt work and credited Ritchson’s experience with helping him through the demanding scenes.

Runner also features Leila George, Peta Sergeant, Geraldine Hakewill, Adriana Barraza and Sullivan Stapleton. The film is scheduled for release on September 11, 2026, through Angel Studios.

For now, Runner looks like a movie that has divided critics but found one area where there is plenty to talk about: its two very different leads. Whether audiences agree with the 65% Rotten Tomatoes score may come down to how much they enjoy the mix of serious action and Owen Wilson’s comedy. If nothing else, Ritchson and Wilson have created a pairing that gives this chase movie a personality of its own.

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