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Thriller

The Runner (2022): Cast & Ratings

The Runner (2022) movie poster

The Runner is a 2022 thriller directed by Michelle Danner, starring Edouard Philipponnat as Aiden, Elisabeth Röhm and Eric Balfour. It runs 1 hour 42 minutes. Critics gave it 33% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Rotten Tomatoes
33%
Echo Score
47
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The Runner (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 42m (102 min)
Director
Michelle Danner
Genre
Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Runner About?

The premise of The Runner without spoilers.

A young man with a troubled past is given a chance at redemption when he's recruited for an undercover operation. Aiden is forced to infiltrate a dangerous drug cartel and confront its powerful leader. Navigating a world of violence and deceit, he must battle his own demons while trying to escape the darkness that threatens to consume him and pay a deadly price for his actions.

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Cast & crew

The Runner Cast & Characters

Edouard Philipponnat leads the cast as Aiden, with Elisabeth Röhm as Miranda Albers and Eric Balfour. Directed by Michelle Danner; 12 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Michelle Danner

More films directed by Michelle Danner, best-rated first: Miranda's Victim, Hello Herman, The Italians and The Bandit Hound.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Runner Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Runner 33% on Rotten Tomatoes. Our Echo Score gives it 47/100, strongest in sensory experience (65) and weakest in rewatch factor (35).

47 /100

The Runner Echo Score Breakdown

The Runner delivers a mixed impression, with flashes of visual flair counterbalanced by a largely unoriginal and uneven narrative. Critics highlight impressive cinematography and occasional strong performances, yet most note contrived storytelling and superficial character work. While the film’s sensory elements receive modest praise, its pacing and authenticity falter, limiting its appeal for repeat viewings. Consequently, the movie lands near the midpoint of the rating spectrum.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 55

    In terms of direction, cinematography, and production design, the film shows moments of visual sophistication, with reviewers noting a stylish aesthetic. However, many critics describe the overall execution as hard work, citing cheesy bravado and uneven editing that undermine its artistic intent. The net impression is that the visual craft is uneven, offering occasional highlights amid broader inconsistencies.

  • Character & Emotion 58

    When evaluating acting and character depth, the lead performances receive some acknowledgment for charisma, though several critics argue that the portrayals veer into overacting and lack authenticity. The protagonists are often described as unlikable or surface‑level, limiting emotional resonance. Overall, the character work contains isolated strengths but is largely hampered by shallow development and exaggerated performances.

  • Story & Flow 42

    The plot and pacing are widely regarded as uninspired, with many reviews calling the story predictable, contrived, and lacking suspense. Critics note a failure to maintain thriller momentum and describe the narrative as familiar and by‑the‑numbers. While a few comments hint at ambitious thematic depth, the overall storytelling is seen as uneven and unengaging.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    Regarding sensory experience, the film’s visual style earns praise for being stylish and cohesive, contributing positively to its atmosphere. Sound design and score receive limited commentary, suggesting they are competent but unremarkable. The overall sensory impression is favorable, with the visual component standing out as a relative strength amid other shortcomings.

  • Rewatch Factor 35

    The rewatch factor is low, as critics find the film overly familiar and uneven, diminishing its incentive for repeated viewings. The lack of fresh narrative elements and the prevalence of contrived scenes undermine lasting appeal. Consequently, the movie offers limited replay value, appealing primarily to viewers drawn by specific performances rather than overall merit.

Videos

The Runner Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 teaser.

The Runner Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Teaser Digital Spot

Seen The Runner?

FAQ

The Runner FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Runner, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Runner?

The Runner runs 1 hour 42 minutes (102 minutes).

When was The Runner released?

The Runner was released on August 19, 2022.

Who directed The Runner?

The Runner was directed by Michelle Danner.

More films by Michelle Danner

Who is in the cast of The Runner?

The Runner stars Edouard Philipponnat as Aiden, Elisabeth Röhm as Miranda Albers and Eric Balfour, among 12 credited actors.

How is The Runner rated?

The Runner has 33% on Rotten Tomatoes, 36% on TMDB, 3.2/5 on Letterboxd and 3.2/5 on Movie Insider.

Does The Runner have a post-credit scene?

No. The Runner has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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