Angel Studios’ new action comedy film “Runner” was released last Friday, September 11. Not to be confused with “The Runner” – the British action film released one week prior starring Gal Gadot and receiving a majority of negative reviews – this film has widely been reviewed as a solid action movie. And after seeing it, I have to agree.
“Runner” stars Alan Ritchson (“Reacher”) as protagonist Hank Malone, a former Navy SEAL now working as a “runner,” someone who takes care of various – mostly illegal – errands given to him by his boss. One of these errands Malone is tasked with is delivering a very important package: a human liver with a very rare blood type on its way to be donated. Along with the package comes Ben Bishop, a medical courier played by Owen Wilson (“Wedding Crashers,” “Cars”).
While their mission seems straightforward, things get complicated when they find out that they’re being targeted by a group of violent cartel members led by Damian Zaldívar (Rodrigo Santoro) who has his own reasons for wanting the liver.
Malone and Bishop, who have promised the mother of a sick little girl that they will deliver the organ safely, are committed to their cause and determined not to let anything get in their way. Ellie, the little girl in need of the liver, is played by Scarlett Crabtree, and her mother Kate is played by Leila George.
What ensues is a wild high-speed chase made even more complicated by the fragile nature of the package and a looming countdown for the organ’s viability.
The film is full of action movie cliches that run the risk of dragging down its merit, but the cliches get balanced out by the unique concept and emotional heart of the film. The narrative flips between Malone and Bishop’s intense action and Ellie and Kate’s heart-tugging hope and desperation until they collide in the later parts of the film.
The main actors do a great job, with Ritchson brilliantly displaying Malone as a “gentle giant” recovering alcoholic and Wilson portraying Bishop as a comic relief character who Malone – and the audience – grow to love.
Beyond Ritchson and Wilson, a highlight performance for me was George’s strong representation of Kate as a mother terrified to lose her daughter and willing to do anything to ensure her safety. Kate doesn’t sit back and let the men take control; she fights for her daughter in awe-inspiring and realistic ways that stuck with me after the movie ended.
Though the film definitely utilizes action movie cliches we’ve all seen before, the uniqueness of the storyline and emotional threads throughout the narrative deliver a film well worth the watch – and the tears shed.
Senior Emily Myers is a Copy Editor. Her email is emyers3@fandm.edu.