The Runner (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

The Runner follows Maia Marten, a London lawyer forced into a desperate race after her son is kidnapped. With every moment governed by an unknown caller’s commands, the action thriller centers on a mother pushed into an increasingly dangerous rescue effort, led by Gal Gadot and directed by Kevin Macdonald.

The Runner is a 2026 action thriller about a mother caught in a high-pressure race to recover her kidnapped son. Gal Gadot plays Maia Marten, a brilliant London lawyer whose ordinary morning run becomes the starting point of a dangerous ordeal.

Directed by Kevin Macdonald and written by Mark Gibson, the film has a compact 1-hour-26-minute runtime. Its premise combines a child-abduction crisis with an urgent set of instructions, placing Maia’s decisions and determination at the center of the story.

The Runner movie details

Story without spoilers

Maia Marten’s life changes when she receives a call during her morning run telling her that her son, Noah, has been taken. To bring him home, she must continue running and follow a series of ruthless commands issued by an unknown caller.

The situation leaves Maia with little room for hesitation. As each second becomes part of the test, she must work out how far she is willing to go to save her child while deciding whom, if anyone, she can trust. The story is set in London and focuses on the escalating pressure surrounding the attempted rescue.

What to expect

The Runner is framed as a fast-moving action thriller built around kidnapping, pursuit and an urgent rescue objective. The time pressure is central to the premise, with the tagline pointing to a one-hour window and a single opportunity to save Maia’s son.

The film’s subject matter includes abduction, child rescue and the relationship between a mother and her son. Viewers can expect the story to stay closely connected to Maia’s predicament, the caller’s demands and the practical risks of trying to recover a kidnapped child. The supplied details establish tension and urgency without revealing how the situation unfolds.

Cast and creative team

Gal Gadot leads the cast as Maia, with Rory Wilmot playing Noah, her kidnapped son. Damian Lewis appears as The Caller, the voice issuing the demands that drive the central crisis. Alfred Enoch plays Ted, while Phoenix Di Sebastiani is credited as Tafa and Nathan Kirby as Wiry Dude.

The supporting cast includes Hélder Fernandes as Buddy, Will Austin as NCA Officer 1, Mark Hampton as NCA Officer 2 and Stevie Binns as NCA Officer 3. Kevin Macdonald directs the film from a screenplay by Mark Gibson.

• Gal Gadot as Maia
• Damian Lewis as The Caller
• Rory Wilmot as Noah
• Alfred Enoch as Ted
• Phoenix Di Sebastiani as Tafa
• Nathan Kirby as Wiry Dude
• Hélder Fernandes as Buddy
• Will Austin as NCA Officer 1
• Mark Hampton as NCA Officer 2
• Stevie Binns as NCA Officer 3

Release and production context

The Runner is listed as a 2026 release, with a release date of September 3, 2026. It has a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes and is classified as an action thriller. The film is associated with the United States of America and the United Kingdom, and its spoken language is English.

Production companies credited are Amazon MGM Studios and Rockwood Pictures. The listed status is Released.

Production companies: Amazon MGM Studios, Rockwood Pictures

The Runner official trailer

Watch the official trailer on YouTube

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With its London setting, kidnapping premise and tightly defined time pressure, The Runner presents a focused rescue thriller centered on Maia’s attempt to bring her son home. Its short runtime and direct setup give the story a clear, immediate framework, while the caller’s instructions supply the central source of conflict.

Film data:
TMDB · IMDb