Gal Gadot says 'The Runner' pushed her to every limit physically and emotionally
Synopsis
Gal Gadot rarely breaks character off-screen — but her candid post about 'The Runner' is a rare window into the cost of making a non-stop action thriller. The film's London-set, high-stakes premise demanded everything from her, and her own words suggest this may be the most physically and emotionally raw performance of her career yet.
Key Takeaways
Gal Gadot described 'The Runner' as the most demanding project of her career, saying it 'took everything' physically, mentally, and emotionally.
The film is a 2026 British action thriller directed by Kevin Macdonald , now streaming on Prime Video .
It stars Gadot , Damian Lewis , and Alfred Enoch , following a prosecutor racing through London to save her abducted son.
Gadot became the first Israeli actor to receive a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2025 .
Her next project is Bitcoin , a biographical thriller directed by Doug Liman , co-starring Casey Affleck and Pete Davidson .
Hollywood star Gal Gadot has opened up about the gruelling demands of her latest film 'The Runner', saying the action thriller 'took everything' from her — physically, mentally, and emotionally. The film, now streaming on Prime Video, marks one of the most challenging projects of her career by her own account.
What Gadot Said About the Film
Gadot shared a series of behind-the-scenes pictures from the set on social media, accompanied by a candid message about the toll the production took. 'The Runner!!!! This one took everything. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. It wasn't easy. It wasn't supposed to be. We ran, we fell, we got back up, we kept going — and somehow, we made it to the finish line. And now, finally, THE RUNNER is yours,' she wrote.
She added: 'This movie doesn't slow down, and hopefully neither will your heartbeat. So buckle up, press play, and whatever you do… don't spoil the finish. We did the running. Now you get the ride.'
About the Film
The Runner is a 2026 British action thriller directed by Kevin Macdonald from a screenplay by Mark Gibson. The film stars Gal Gadot, Damian Lewis, and Alfred Enoch. It centres on prosecuting attorney Maia Martin, who is cryptically ordered by an unknown caller to race through London and prevent a star witness from testifying — all to save her abducted son. The high-stakes, non-stop premise explains the physical intensity Gadot described.
Gadot's Career and Rise to Global Stardom
Gadot first rose to international prominence playing Gisele Yashar in the Fast and Furious franchise, making her film debut in the series before going on to define a generation of superhero cinema as Wonder Woman in the DC Extended Universe. She first portrayed the iconic character in Batman v Superman in 2016, later headlining standalone films Wonder Woman and Wonder Woman 1984, and reprising the role in Justice League.
In 2025, she became the first Israeli actor to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. A former Miss Israel 2004 winner, she also served two years in the Israel Defense Forces as a combat trainer — a background that reportedly informs her approach to physically demanding roles.
What's Next for Gadot
Beyond The Runner, Gadot is set to appear in Bitcoin, a biographical thriller directed by Doug Liman. The film also features Casey Affleck, Pete Davidson, Isla Fisher, and Finlay Robertson. Her recent filmography includes Red Notice, Death on the Nile, Heart of Stone, Snow White, and In the Hand of Dante.
With The Runner now available to audiences, Gadot's next test will be whether the film's relentless pace translates into the kind of sustained streaming numbers that cement her position as one of Hollywood's leading action stars.
Point of View
And Gadot's candour about the film's demands is doing real marketing work. The deeper question is whether the film's non-stop London thriller premise can hold its own against the superhero-scale spectacles audiences associate with her. If it does, it signals a meaningful pivot in her career — from franchise IP to standalone action cinema.
NationPress
4 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'The Runner' starring Gal Gadot about?
'The Runner' is a 2026 British action thriller in which Gadot plays prosecuting attorney Maia Martin, who is ordered by an unknown caller to race through London to stop a star witness from testifying — or her abducted son will be harmed. The film is directed by Kevin Macdonald and is now streaming on Prime Video.
Why did Gal Gadot say 'The Runner' took everything from her?
Gadot described the film as testing her 'physically, mentally and emotionally' in a social media post accompanying behind-the-scenes pictures. The film's non-stop action premise and demanding shoot reportedly made it one of the most challenging productions of her career.
Who directed 'The Runner' and who else stars in it?
The film was directed by Kevin Macdonald from a screenplay by Mark Gibson. Alongside Gadot, it stars Damian Lewis and Alfred Enoch.
Where can audiences watch 'The Runner'?
'The Runner' is currently available to stream on Prime Video, as confirmed by Gadot's own social media post announcing its release.
What is Gal Gadot's next film after 'The Runner'?
Gadot is next set to appear in 'Bitcoin', a biographical thriller directed by Doug Liman, which also features Casey Affleck, Pete Davidson, Isla Fisher, and Finlay Robertson.
