About The Runner
The Runner Movie Review: Gal Gadot is back with an action thriller that sees her running for most of it narrative arc through the vibrant streets of London. However, The Runner’s sluggish script means that for the largest part our wonder woman cannot outpace the film’s mediocrity. Directed by Kevin Macdonald, the Prime Original attempts to turn a simple premise into a race against time, placing a mother at the centre of an elaborate threat involving a kidnapped son and a dangerous criminal case. Even though The Runner moves at a fast pace and looks slick, it rarely generates the kind of tension that could make its well-worn story genuinely gripping.
The premise of The Runner opens in a London where millions of people co-exist while remaining trapped inside their own digital spheres – phones, screens and the likes. This, in turn, also becomes the film’s driving point. Unfortunately, the thematic recurrence happens so frequently that what initially feels purposeful soon seems repetitive.
Gadot plays Maia Marten, a single mother and lawyer whose morning begins with dropping her son Noah off at school and a lengthy run
Gadot plays Maia Marten, a single mother and lawyer whose morning begins with dropping her son Noah off at school and a lengthy run. The film hints at her preparing to work on a high-profile murder case involving a notorious crime boss and a crucial witness. However, her routine is abruptly shattered when she receives a call from her son’s phone, where an unknown caller informs her that her son has been kidnapped and that he has been monitoring her family.
The threat accompanies an impossible deadline – Maia must use her professional access to reach the protected witness Taja and kill him before he can testify against the crime lord. If she fails, her diabetic son will die. With just an hour to comply, Maia is forced to cross London on foot while simultaneously trying to understand the identity of the kidnapper and how far their plan extends.
The premise of The Runner is actually pretty interesting, presenting plenty of opportunities for escalating suspense. What mars it, however, is a sluggish screenplay. While the story moves at a brisk pace, dialogues which rely too much on repeatedly highlighting the underlying theme dilutes the cinematic tension. Interestingly though, London becomes an active part of the chase, with Maia navigating crowded streets, public spaces and unexpected obstacles. The film occasionally captures the frantic physicality of her journey effectively, but the abundance of visual flourishes can also work against the thriller mechanics.
However, where The Runner really falters is in its emotional core, remaining frustratingly stunted. Gadot is convincing when the film requires physical determination, but Maia never develops into anything more than a capable mother, lawyer and athlete. The vulnerability needed for such a character to really shine within the paced narrative is sorely missing.
Where the film actually stumbles, however, is in its portrayal of Damian Lewis as the primary antagonist. Largely restricted by the nature of his character, he does get an opportunity to inject menace through his voice and later appearances. Yet, ultimately, his antagonist feels too familiar and the denouement too unsatisfactory. There just is not enough menace in him for the audience to really invest in his predicament – which when it arrives – leaves a lot wanting. Alfred Enoch – as the possible boyfriend – unfortunately is completely wasted within the plot.
Technically, The Runner is polished and consistently energetic. However, its problem stems from the fact that a thriller built around a deadline should actually leave the viewers breathless. Instead, the film feels like a paced narrative dependent too much on the requirements of the script.
Gadot’s physicality and Macdonald’s direction keep the film moving, but neither can overcome a story that feels considerably less inventive than its presentation suggests. The Runner is not without the ingredients of an effective chase thriller, but it never churns those ingredients into anything memorable. At the end of the day, ultimately, The Runner is no Speed.