Running on Empty

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2:43

Running on Empty

R

2024

1h 31m

Romance

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

16%

Tomatometer

19 Reviews

63%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Keir Gilchrist, Lucy Hale, Francesca Eastwood and comic legend Jim Gaffigan star in a brilliantly quirky romantic comedy about celebrating life and living it to its fullest. Mortimer is an odd but clever young man living a lukewarm existence in California's San Fernando Valley until he receives some life-changing news. Determined to make the most of every day, Mort sets out on a spirited quest to find meaning in his existence and discovers the girl of his dreams along the way.

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Monica Castillo

RogerEbert.com

There’s almost nothing to savor from this movie past its initial premise, and, like a funeral that drags on in the summer heat, takes far too long to get to its inevitable conclusion.

Rated: 0/4

Aug 12, 2024

Full Review

Calum Baker

Radio Times

The basic plot and its ruminations on mortality are nothing new, but some good chuckles are to be had along the way.

Rated: 2/5

Jul 22, 2025

Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Common Sense Media

Presumably starting off as a dark comedy before morphing into a rather routine—and unfunny—romcom, this odd, bland movie seems to have been built from bits of other movies with minimal effort.

Rated: 2/5

Sep 1, 2024

Full Review

Laura Hiros

Rincón de cine

Running on Empty is just that, a reconciliation with death in a light and forceful style that achieves an entertaining film, and a direct and clear message: learn to live that life simply ends. [Full Review in Spanish]

Rated: 2.5/5

Aug 31, 2024

Full Review

Jackie K. Cooper

jackiekcooper.com

Runs out of entertainment gas early into the film. Huffs and puffs its way to the end.

Rated: 4/10

Aug 16, 2024

Full Review

Ben Gibbons

Screen Rant

Running on Empty lacks a specific direction or tone throughout, with the messaging and the humor appearing directly in contrast to each other.

Rated: 1.5/5

Aug 16, 2024

Full Review

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VJ C

This movie started off like it was going to be good and then it went off topic and dragged on. It was more of a downer than a comedy. Lead character was depressing.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/25/25

Full Review

Christian K

This movie is empty and not worth the time it took to watch it. I liked Hale, playing a character she has in other RomComs, and the main character has some appeal, especially if you’ve seen his autism tv show, otherwise bleh. The script is empty and there isn’t really a point to the movie. It has weird blackout cuts, like it’s a new act, but with no point. Gaffigan was enjoyable, but I feel like they pushed him in just to have him cameo, which is also true of the supporting family. I rarely hate a movie, but I feel like I just watched the outline of a movie, not a real film.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/05/25

Full Review

Denise M

This quirky film hardens back to the 80s. It a view snapshot of what if. What could be.. it is not predictable where it ends up. The premise: would you live your life if you knew the end date?

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/05/25

Full Review

Andrea K

The premise of this movie holds promise. Once you get past the set up, the movie doesn't know what it wants to be. It feels like bits and pieces of ideas have been stuck together like someone threw mud against a wall and made no effort to form it into a cohesive form. While Lucy Hale's performance was wonderful and I liked her chemistry with Keir Gilchrist, the script didn't make sense and left me with questions and feeling unsatisfied.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

01/04/25

Full Review

kpk k

Semi-Dark Comedy based on a world with an oddity where Mr Normal is surrounded by Quirky Characters in bizarre situations. Heartfelt and fast paced. The less you know about the premise the better.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/13/24

Full Review

Lomax L

The best thing about this movie is the music. it's kind of funny but overall its not that great. 50/50 is 100 times better than this movie.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

10/05/24

Full Review

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Daniel André

Director

Keir Gilchrist

Mort

Lucy Hale

Kate

Francesca Eastwood

Nicole

Rhys Coiro

Simon

Jay Pharoah

Sid

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Running on Empty: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Keir Gilchrist, Lucy Hale, Francesca Eastwood and comic legend Jim Gaffigan star in a brilliantly quirky romantic comedy about celebrating life and living it to its fullest. Mortimer is an odd but clever young man living a lukewarm existence in California's San Fernando Valley until he receives some life-changing news. Determined to make the most of every day, Mort sets out on a spirited quest to find meaning in his existence and discovers the girl of his dreams along the way.

Director: Daniel André
Producer: Robert Ogden Barnum, Greg Lauritano, Daniel André, Lucas Jarach, Luke Daniels
Screenwriter: Daniel André
Distributor: Lionsgate
Production Co: Redwire Pictures, Analog 77 Films, Lucky 13 Productions
Rating: R (Language and Sexual Content)
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 9, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 27, 2024
Runtime: 1h 31m

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