Gal Gadot’s ‘The Runner’ tops streaming charts despite poor reviews

Gal Gadot’s new action thriller, ‘The Runner’, has achieved significant streaming popularity on Amazon Prime Video despite receiving overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics. The film, which premiered on September 2, follows a London attorney named Maia Marten who must race across the city to save her kidnapped son.

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a dismal approval rating of approximately 9% to 10% from critics, with audience scores also remaining low. Reviewers have criticized the production for a predictable and poorly developed script, describing it as ‘unoriginal’ and ‘pretentious’. While Gadot’s physical performance and athletic preparation for the intense running sequences have received some praise, many critics found the dialogue and overall narrative lacking in emotion and intelligence.

Despite the critical backlash, the film has seen strong viewership numbers, climbing to the top of streaming charts in several countries, including Brazil, Germany, Mexico, and the Philippines. This divergence between critical reception and audience engagement highlights a trend where high-concept action premises continue to drive significant streaming traffic regardless of review scores.