The Runner review – Gal Gadot stumbles through derivative high-speed, low-rent thriller

The latest iteration of the “ordinary citizen thrust into extraordinary situation” trope has hit screens in The Runner, starring Gal Gadot as Maia, a single mother and lawyer. The film’s London locations provide a welcome respite from familiar settings, but it’s clear that Amazon is relying on gimmicks to prop up an overly derivative story.

The premise – a mother forced to commit murder by a nefarious freelancer who has kidnapped her son – is nothing new in the world of real-time assassination thrillers. Films like Nick of Time, Red Eye, and Eagle Eye have all explored this same territory, but The Runner feels like a lazy rehashing of familiar beats.

Gadot’s performance is underwhelming, struggling to command attention on the big screen. Her character’s emotional stakes are paper-thin, and her physical demands are hardly taxing by action film standards. It’s clear that Gadot is being cast in these types of roles because of her Wonder Woman franchise status – a misguided attempt to capitalize on her name recognition.

The real story here isn’t about Gadot’s acting career or even the film itself. Rather, it’s about the larger industry trend that The Runner represents: the increasing reliance on streaming platforms as launching pads for lackluster content. By churning out quickie thrillers like The Runner, Amazon is essentially betting that viewers won’t notice the absence of originality in favor of a cheap and easy fix.

The use of AI as a plot device is particularly galling, given its over-reliance on lazy screenwriting crutches. In recent years, it’s become clear that our reliance on AI is affecting not only how we produce content but also the types of stories we’re willing to tell. As writers and filmmakers continue to rely on “novel” plot twists involving the latest technological advancements, the art form itself risks becoming stagnant.

The Runner may be a scene-stealing co-star for London’s real estate, but it’s ultimately a hollow shell of a film. This raises questions about the future of streaming content: will Amazon continue to churn out derivative thrillers, relying on viewers’ nostalgia and Gadot’s name recognition? Or will there be a shift towards more original storytelling that acknowledges the limitations of AI as a plot device rather than relying on it as a crutch?

The answer lies in the broader industry trend. As streaming platforms dominate the conversation around new releases, they’re shaping the types of stories we see – and, more often than not, the quality of those stories. Whether Amazon will take this opportunity to push boundaries or settle for formulaic content remains to be seen.

What is certain, however, is that The Runner represents a missed opportunity in the world of streaming thrillers. With its lackluster premise, underwhelming performances, and lazy reliance on AI, it’s clear that Amazon has prioritized profit over quality – at least, for now.