Relay (2025) - Review
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Directed by: David Mackenzie
Written by: Justin Piasecki
Starring: Riz Ahmed, Lily James, Sam Worthington
Runtime: 112 min
Synopsis: A world-class "fixer" (Riz Ahmed) specializes in brokering lucrative payoffs between corrupt corporations and the individuals who threaten their ruin. He keeps his identity a secret through meticulous planning and always follows an exacting set of rules. But when a message arrives one day from a potential client (Lily James), needing his protection just to stay alive, the rules quickly start to change.
Editor's Note: Original review was written for FandomWire. Full article can be found below.
REVIEW SUMMARY
Relay begins with a fresh and intriguing proposition, sustained by strong performances and an immersive atmosphere, but it loses impact by opting for easy narrative shortcuts in the final stretch. Riz Ahmed once again confirms his talent in complex, understated roles, while Lily James and Sam Worthington bring emotional intensity and credible threat. Still, the execution doesn't quite match the ambition of its premise. With a less forced ending, it could have easily become one of the year's most striking thrillers. Instead, it remains a competent but frustrating experience, one that deserves recognition for the ideas it raises but also criticism for the opportunities it squanders.
