The story follows Richie Furst (played by Justin Timberlake), a Princeton graduate student who becomes involved in the world of online gambling. After losing his tuition money in an online poker game, Richie discovers that he was cheated. Determined to confront the website’s owner, Ivan Block (played by Ben Affleck), Richie travels to Costa Rica.
Ivan Block, impressed by Richie’s skills, offers him a job within his online gambling empire. Richie is initially seduced by the lavish lifestyle and wealth, but he soon becomes entangled in the dangerous and illegal activities of Block’s operation. As the FBI begins to investigate Block, Richie finds himself caught between law enforcement and the criminal organization.
In the climax, Richie faces critical decisions as the consequences of his involvement with Ivan Block escalate. The resolution involves a high-stakes confrontation with Block and the realization of the extent of the criminal enterprise.
“Runner Runner” received negative reviews from critics, with criticism directed at the predictable plot and lack of depth in character development. While the film attempted to explore the dark side of online gambling and its associated risks, it was not well-received for its execution. Despite the star-studded cast, “Runner Runner” struggled both critically and commercially.