Running on Empty (2024) is a romantic comedy that follows Mortimer (Keir Gilchrist), a mortician in California’s San Fernando Valley, whose life takes a dramatic turn upon discovering he has less than a year to live. Determined to make the most of his remaining time, Mort embarks on a quest for meaning and love, leading him to encounter Kate (Lucy Hale), a charming and supportive woman who becomes central to his journey.

Despite its intriguing premise, the film received predominantly negative reviews. Critics pointed to its inconsistent tone and underdeveloped characters as significant shortcomings. Monica Castillo of RogerEbert.com remarked that the movie “takes far too long to get to its inevitable conclusion,” highlighting its pacing issues. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 17% approval rating based on 18 reviews, indicating a general consensus of disappointment.