Review - Relay (2025)

       Hey guys, Chuck here. Relay is a new thriller from director David Mackenzie, and stars Riz Ahmed, Lily James, Sam Worthington, Willa Fitzgerald, Eisa Davis, and Victor Garber. 

       The movie, set in New York, focuses on Ash, a man who works as a "fixer," acting as an intermediary between clients and corporations when said clients have potentially damning documentation. And, to maintain his anonymity and protect his clients, Ash utilities the Tri-State Relay Service, and communicates using a device for the deaf and hard of hearing that connects to a phone. His newest client, Sarah Grant, a woman with such damning documentation against a major corporation with a breakthrough crop, may prove to be his most dangerous yet, as she is being followed by a group, led by Dawson, who will do anything to recover the documents. 

       So, this movie made its debut last year at the Toronto International Film Festival, but I was able to see it recently at a Secret Movie Screening at my local Cinemark theater. And, I gotta say, this was a genuine surprise for me. Now, the movie presents itself in a way that was certainly unique for the thriller genre. Ash is a fixer, Sarah is a terrified client needing help, and he gives it while maintaining anonymity. But, there is a third act twist that I didn't see coming, and it elevated it from being good to REALLY effing good. 

       And, what sells the core essence of the story, which itself was written brilliantly by Justin Piasecki, was the performances of the cast. Bot Riz Ahmed as Ash and Lily James as Sarah really sell the situation quite well. And, even though they don't share the screen a whole lot throughout the movie, you can tell based on the emotions on display that Ash wants to help Sarah, and she is grateful that he is able to provide a service to her. Also, Riz Ahmed's dialogue in this movie is kept to a minimum, and he sells his performance really well using nonverbal communication. But, of course, the threat of Dawson and his crew is what also sells the overall tension, and I thought that Sam Worthington probably gave one of his best performances as Dawson, and proves how skilled he is as a performer. I definitely want to see him in more antagonistic roles in the future. 

       I also thought that the use of the Tri-State Relay Service as a communications intermediary was kind of clever. The way Ash uses the service to maintain his anonymity from both his clients and the corporations was neat, as it creates a situation where those on both sides have no clue who they're dealing with, but they know whoever it is means business and is an expert in their job. Now, typically, Ash has maintained that anonymity with every job he's taken. So, to see him break his anonymity for the first time for this one client, Sarah, was kind of neat. 

        But, there is a third act twist that I didn't see coming, which ties into a recurring thread that was shown in the film's opening, which is the only scene Victor Garber has in the movie as the CEO of a corrupt pharmaceutical, and carries throughout the remainder of the movie. Now, I won't go into detail as to avoid a major spoiler, but if you do see this movie, you'll be pretty stunned by this major twist. However, there is a twist involving a character named Wash, played by Eisa Davis, that was less of a shock, but still a nice surprising reveal. 

       Overall, I really enjoyed this one. And, for a new movie that is a refreshing and new take in the thriller genre, I definitely recommend checking this one out. 

       Alright guys, this is Chuck signing off, and I'll see you in the next review.