This modest italian production does not hide its intention of being a rip-off of 1988 action classic “Die Hard”, in fact, in the final credits there´s a mention honoring John McClane. Nonetheless, this intended homage directed by Nicola Barnaba, tries to bring some of its own personality, adding to the formula a metacinema plot that is key to the story.
The plot takes place in a hotel, where a girl is trapped while she runs away from the man who just murdered her lover, while at the same time, she tries to clean her name after being blamed by the murder.
As a tribute to such a legendary film as “Die Hard”, “Runner” fails on delivering an action-packed product that could become kind of memorable, coming short in the development of a good bunch of charismatic characters that could hook the viewer deeply into the story.
At the end, everything turns out to be very generic, from the action to the soundtrack, but besides its flaws, its biggest virtue relies on the stunning charming of the leading lady of the story, Matilde Gioli, who´s supported by a solid and motivated cast that helps to lift the production keeping it entertaining until the final credits roll.
The film will be competing in the upcoming Toledo Action Film Festival and Expo that will be held in Illescas (Toledo, Spain) from May 15 to 17, 2024.