Movies: Relay (2024) by David Mackenzie: A High-Stakes Game of Cat and Mouse
- dailyentertainment95
- Sep 15
- 6 min read
The Ultimate Fixer's Unraveling Rules: Relay is a 2024 American thriller directed by David Mackenzie, a filmmaker known for his work on the Oscar-nominated film Hell or High Water. The film stars Riz Ahmed as Ash, a highly secretive "fixer" who acts as an anonymous intermediary between corrupt corporations and the whistleblowers they are intimidating. He operates with meticulous precision, using a specialized telecommunications device for the deaf—a relay service—to maintain his anonymity and stay off the grid. However, his carefully constructed system is threatened when he takes on a new client, Sarah (played by Lily James), who wants to return incriminating documents to her company. As Ash becomes personally invested in Sarah's case and a ruthless team of corporate goons led by Dawson (played by Sam Worthington) closes in, the lines between professional detachment and personal danger begin to blur.
Why to recommend movie: An Unflinching Look at the Human Psyche
For its masterfully crafted tension. The film is a slow-burn thriller that builds a palpable sense of paranoia and suspense. Director David Mackenzie masterfully uses a tense, "procedural" style to draw the audience into Ash's meticulous and high-stakes world, making every move, every phone call, and every disguise feel crucial.
For a standout performance from Riz Ahmed. Riz Ahmed is captivating in a role that is largely silent and physical. He conveys a complex inner world of regret and anxiety, balancing his character's cool, calculated exterior with a deep sense of moral conflict. It’s a compelling, nuanced performance that anchors the entire film.
For a fresh take on the classic corporate thriller. Relay pays homage to the paranoid thrillers of the 1970s, such as The Conversation, but updates the genre for a modern, digital age. It explores the fascinating dynamic of an analog hero in a world of high-tech surveillance, adding a unique layer of ingenuity and high-stakes strategy.
For its moral complexity. The film doesn't present a simple narrative of good versus evil. It delves into the morally gray area of a "fixer" who, while protecting whistleblowers, also helps corporations get away with their crimes. This ethical ambiguity gives the film a rich, thought-provoking undercurrent.
For the powerful and engaging chemistry between its leads. Despite communicating almost exclusively through an intermediary relay service, the chemistry between Riz Ahmed and Lily James is genuine and compelling. Their relationship forms the emotional core of the film, adding a human element to the tense, cat-and-mouse game.
Where to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/ca/movie/relay (Canada), https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/relay (US)
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11539996/
About movie: https://bleeckerstreetmedia.com/relay
What is the Trend followed: The Return of the '70s Paranoia Thriller
Relay is a prime example of a contemporary film that channels the spirit of the classic paranoid thrillers of the 1970s. This cinematic trend is characterized by a high-stakes, tense atmosphere where characters are constantly on edge, and no one can be trusted. It relies on meticulous plotting and a deep sense of psychological dread rather than overt action sequences.
Analog vs. Digital: The film's central conceit—using an old-school relay service to evade high-tech surveillance—taps into a growing interest in stories that contrast analog methods with the pervasive nature of digital technology, a theme seen in films like The Black Phone and Mission: Impossible - Fallout.
Director's Vision: A Meticulous and Stylized Procedural
David Mackenzie's vision for Relay was to create an intensely focused, character-driven thriller that is both a psychological portrait and a technical procedural.
Emphasis on Process: Mackenzie deliberately slows the pace down to show the meticulous details of Ash's work, from his use of disguises to his complex system of dead drops and burner phones. This focus on "the how" rather than just "the what" is central to his vision.
Creating a Lived-In World: The director grounds the film in real-world locations and avoids a highly stylized, CGI-heavy approach. By shooting in actual New York and New Jersey settings, he creates a tangible sense of realism and atmosphere that enhances the film's gritty, tense tone.
Themes: Anonymity, Trust, and Moral Compromise
The film explores a number of complex and timely themes.
The Price of Anonymity: The central theme is the double-edged sword of anonymity. While it protects Ash, it also isolates him, preventing genuine human connection. The film questions whether one can truly be a hero from the shadows without sacrificing a part of their humanity.
Trust in a World of Deception: Relay is a film about who you can trust when everyone is hiding something. The relationship between Ash and Sarah is built on a foundation of voices and instructions, not physical presence, and the film expertly plays with the audience's perception of their motives.
Corporate Malfeasance and Whistleblowing: The film directly engages with the all-too-common reality of powerful corporations silencing individuals who threaten to expose their misdeeds. It explores the high personal cost of standing up to immense power.
Key success factors: Riz Ahmed's Star Power and Critical Acclaim
Riz Ahmed's Performance: As a highly-respected and talented actor, Riz Ahmed's starring role was a major draw. His compelling and nuanced portrayal of the film's complex protagonist is a key reason for its strong critical reception.
Festival Buzz: The film's world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2024, generated significant buzz, positioning it as a major entry in the thriller genre.
Positive Critical Reception: Despite some mixed opinions on the ending, the film has been widely praised for its high-concept premise, tense atmosphere, and strong performances, particularly from its lead actors.
Awards & Nominations: A Festival Contender
Relay was a notable selection at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2024, where it garnered significant critical attention. Its strong reception at the festival positions it as a potential contender for awards season, particularly in categories for acting and screenplay.
Critics Reception: A Taut Thriller with a Divisive End
TheWrap: This publication praised the film as an "impressive thriller" that evokes the "eerie paranoia" of 70s classics. The review specifically highlights the moral complexity of the protagonist and the film's smart, modern feel.
Vanyaland: The review from this site calls the film a "decent race" and praises Riz Ahmed's performance, but notes that the third act "starts to sputter out" and the twist feels "a bit forced."
Screen Daily: While calling it a "slow-burn, high-concept paranoid thriller" that works best when it trusts its audience, this review criticizes the ending as a "critical mistake" that "falters" and feels emotionally unearned.
Overall Summary: The critical consensus is that Relay is a tense, clever, and well-acted thriller that is highly effective for much of its runtime. Riz Ahmed’s performance is a particular highlight. However, many critics found the film's third-act twist and conclusion to be a significant misstep that undermines the grounded, patient tone established in the first two acts.
Reviews: Intelligent and Engrossing
Collider: This review hails the film as a "captivating" and "clever thriller straight from the '70s," praising its tense procedural style and the intricate details of Ash’s operation.
The Daily Beast: The publication calls Relay "the intense summer thriller we've been waiting for," highlighting its grounded suspense and ethical ambiguity.
In Review Online: The review notes that the film "demands patience but builds a huge amount of tension." It also praises Riz Ahmed and Lily James for creating "genuine chemistry" even through their unconventional means of communication.
Overall Summary: The reviews consistently use words like "tense," "clever," and "absorbing" to describe the viewing experience. While some found the film's final moments frustrating, the overall sentiment is that it's a smart and engrossing thriller that succeeds in creating a unique and high-stakes cinematic world.
Movie Trend: The Resurgence of the Practical Thriller
In an era of large-scale blockbusters, Relay stands out by leaning into practical, low-tech filmmaking. It follows a trend of thrillers that focus on human ingenuity, psychological tension, and analog tactics, reminiscent of classics like Three Days of the Condor. This trend offers a refreshing contrast to the prevalence of CGI and high-octane action sequences, proving that a compelling story and strong performances can be the most effective special effects.
Social Trend: Corporate Accountability and Personal Privacy
The film taps into a major social trend by directly addressing the power dynamics between individuals and large corporations.
Whistleblower Culture: The increasing public awareness of whistleblowers and their crucial role in holding powerful institutions accountable makes the film's premise feel incredibly timely and relevant.
Surveillance and Privacy: In an age of constant digital monitoring, Relay explores the pervasive nature of surveillance and the lengths one must go to to protect their privacy, a concern that resonates deeply with modern audiences.
Final Verdict: A Tense, Intelligent, and Imperfect Thriller
Relay is a masterfully crafted, slow-burn thriller that succeeds in creating a world of palpable tension and moral ambiguity. Led by a fantastic performance from Riz Ahmed, the film's unique premise and meticulous attention to detail make it a standout in the modern thriller landscape. While its conclusion has been a point of contention for some critics, the journey it takes you on is undeniably gripping, thought-provoking, and well worth the ride. It's a testament to David Mackenzie's skill as a director and a reminder that the best thrillers are often the ones that get under your skin by focusing on the quiet, human anxieties that fuel our modern world.
Comments