A broker of lucrative payoffs between corrupt corporations and the individuals who threaten them breaks his own rules when a new client seeks his protection to stay alive.
I’ll admit, David Mackenzie’s “Relay” — starring Riz Ahmed, Lily James, and Sam Worthington — managed to fly entirely under my radar until Bleecker Street sent me a review copy. The promotional artwork itself hardly inspires confidence, looking more like something you’d find in the dollar bin at Walmart. Although the film had a limited theatrical run this August, I feel that Bleecker Street didn’t give it the promotional push it deserved. That’s unfortunate, because “Relay” is a sharp, gripping thriller that leans on strong writing and complex characters rather than a relentless onslaught of action.
The plot centers on Ash (Riz Ahmed), a secretive fixer operating in New York City, who acts as a go-between for whistleblowers and the powerful companies they want to expose. To protect his identity, Ash communicates solely through a telecommunications relay service, keeping his interactions impersonal and secure. Everything changes when Sarah (Lily James) contacts him, desperate for help. She reveals that her former employer, Cybo Sementis Research Institutes, is concealing dangerous side effects caused by their genetically modified wheat. Although Sarah initially intended to expose these findings, she now fears for her life and wants to return the documents, hoping to end the company’s campaign of intimidation.
Ash agrees to help, offering Sarah burner phones, step-by-step instructions, and a secure passcode for their communications. At first, he maintains his professional distance, speaking to her only through his device. But as their situation grows more precarious, Ash bends his own rules. The two begin to talk directly, and a tentative, genuine connection forms between these two lonely people. Their fragile sense of safety is shattered when Sarah is abducted, and Ash is forced to meet her captors face-to-face, exchanging the report for her life. What follows is anything but straightforward.
Screenwriter Justin Piasecki and director David Mackenzie craft characters who feel authentic, set against a story that’s both suspenseful and emotionally resonant. The film explores the high personal cost of exposing corruption, as ordinary people weigh the urge to do the right thing against the overwhelming power of corporate interests. Watching Sarah’s fear and desperation, it’s hard not to wonder how many real-world whistleblowers have faced similar crossroads.
Riz Ahmed and Lily James share a subtle but undeniable chemistry, despite appearing together in just a handful of scenes. Sam Worthington brings a steady hand as the head of the team tasked with tracking Sarah, and the supporting cast each delivers solid performances in their respective roles. The pacing is measured — never sluggish, always maintaining a sense of tension that keeps you guessing. “Relay” is more interested in the slow burn of drama than in spectacle, though it does deliver an exciting car chase near the climax. Still, that’s the film’s lone foray into action, and the restraint works in its favor.
If you crave a taut, character-driven thriller with a talented cast and confident direction, “Relay” is well worth your time.
Available on Blu-ray™ October 28th
11k
19.8k
1.5k
1.8k