New Movies: Cleaner (2025) by Martin Campbell: A High-Rise Hostage Thriller

Cleaner (2025): Ex-Soldier, Window Cleaner, Last Hope in a Hostage Crisis

Cleaner (2025) is an action-thriller directed by veteran filmmaker Martin Campbell. Set in present-day London, the film stars Daisy Ridley as Joey Locke, a former soldier now working as a high-rise window cleaner. When radical activists take 300 hostages at a renewable energy company's gala in a skyscraper, their cause is hijacked by an extremist bent on mass murder. Joey, trapped on the building's exterior with her younger, autistic brother inside, becomes the unexpected hero, using her military skills and knowledge of heights to save the hostages and expose corruption in a high-stakes "Die Hard in a skyscraper" scenario.

Summary Short

Cleaner (2025), directed by Martin Campbell, is a London-set action-thriller. Daisy Ridley plays Joey Locke, an ex-soldier turned window cleaner. When eco-activists take 300 hostages at a corporate gala in a high-rise, an extremist among them escalates the situation to mass murder. Joey, suspended on the building's exterior, is the only one who can infiltrate the crisis, save her autistic brother who is among the hostages, and prevent a catastrophe, drawing on her past military experience.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27812086/

Link Review: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/cleaner

Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/cleaner-2025 (US), https://www.justwatch.com/ca/movie/cleaner-2025 (Canada), https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/cleaner-2025 (UK)

Detailed Summary

• Premise of a Dangerous Job: The film Cleaner introduces Joey Locke (Daisy Ridley), a former soldier now working a precarious job as a window cleaner on a high-rise London skyscraper. She's also grappling with personal challenges, including caring for her autistic younger brother, Michael (Matthew Tuck), who is a skilled hacker.

• Hostage Crisis at a Gala: The plot unfolds during an annual gala hosted by Agnian Energy, a seemingly "green" renewable energy company, at the top of the skyscraper. A group of radical environmental activists, "Earth Revolution," takes 300 guests hostage to expose the company's corruption.

• Extremist Hijacks the Cause: The situation quickly spirals out of control when Noah (Taz Skylar), an extremist within the activist group, takes over. He's prepared to murder everyone in the building, including the corporate owners (played by Rufus Jones and Lee Boardman), to send a more extreme message to the world.

• Joey's Unique Position: Joey finds herself uniquely positioned for a rescue. She is either stuck in her outside lift or using rappel gear to clean the glass walls, giving her a vantage point and access from the exterior while the crisis unfolds inside. Her brother, Michael, is also inside the building, heightening her personal stake.

• Utilizing Hidden Skills: Disgraced from the military, Joey must now leverage her forgotten soldier skills, wits, and knowledge of the building's exterior to navigate the perilous situation, gather intelligence, and mount a daring rescue operation.

• "Die Hard" Inspiration: The film is frequently likened to "Die Hard," featuring a single resourceful individual trapped in a skyscraper taking on a group of terrorists, with a cat-and-mouse game unfolding across the building.

• Themes of Corruption and Justice: Beyond the action, the film touches on themes of corporate corruption, environmental activism, and the blurred lines of justice, with the initial cause of the "villains" being righteous before it's twisted by extremism.

Plot summary

• Joey's Rough Start: Joey Locke, a former British soldier, is late for her high-rise window cleaning job in London, made more complicated by her autistic brother, Michael, who is kicked out of his care facility and has to come with her.

• Gala Hostage Situation: While Joey is suspended outside, an environmental activist group, "Earth Revolution," infiltrates a lavish gala at the top of the skyscraper, taking 300 hostages, including Michael, to expose the corrupt energy company owners.

• Activist Turn Rogue: The situation escalates when Noah, a violent extremist within the activist group, seizes control, intending to kill all the hostages to send a radical message, overriding the more moderate leader, Marcus (Clive Owen).

• External Reconnaissance: Trapped in her window cleaning lift with limited communication, Joey uses her unique position to observe the hostage situation, gather intel, and try to find a way to intervene.

• Infiltration and Combat: Drawing on her disgraced military background and acrobatic skills, Joey eventually infiltrates the building, engaging in tense one-on-one combat with the terrorists.

• Brother's Role: Her brother Michael, a skilled hacker with anxiety, also plays a crucial, albeit hidden, role in trying to help his sister from inside.

• High-Stakes Rescue: Joey must navigate perilous dangling situations, outwit the terrorists, and overcome physical challenges to save her brother, the remaining hostages, and prevent mass murder, culminating in an adrenaline-fueled climax.

Director's Vision

• Modern "Die Hard": Martin Campbell's primary vision was to create a modern take on the classic "Die Hard" formula, transplanting the single-hero-in-a-skyscraper concept to a new setting and with a female protagonist.

• Action Prowess: As a veteran action director, Campbell aimed to deliver taut, adrenaline-fueled action sequences and intense one-on-one encounters, utilizing Daisy Ridley's physicality effectively.

• Unique Vantage Point: He sought to leverage the unique "window cleaner" premise to create novel action set-pieces, particularly involving the exterior of the building and the vertiginous heights.

• Character-Driven Thriller: Despite the action, Campbell intended to ground the film with a compelling protagonist in Joey, exploring her resilience, her past trauma, and her deep bond with her brother as the emotional core.

• Relevant Themes (with a Twist): He aimed to incorporate relevant contemporary themes like environmental activism and corporate corruption, while deliberately showcasing how a "righteous cause" can be corrupted by extremist elements. He stated, "A group of so-called terrorists are eco-warriors and the interesting thing for me, apart from Daisy, who it was great to have a woman protagonist, basically, and she's just a window cleaner. That's all she is."

Themes

• Resilience and Resourcefulness: A central theme is Joey's extraordinary resilience and resourcefulness in a high-stakes, life-or-death situation, drawing on her past military training despite her current civilian role.

• Family Bonds: The film emphasizes the strong bond between Joey and her autistic brother Michael, serving as a powerful motivator for Joey's actions and highlighting the lengths one will go for family.

• Corporate Corruption vs. Environmentalism: It explores the tension between corporate greed (Agnian Energy) and radical environmental activism, showcasing how an initially noble cause can be hijacked by extremism.

• Justice and Extremism: The film questions the nature of justice, particularly when it descends into extremism, contrasting the activists' initial goals with the violent methods of the rogue element.

• Hidden Heroism: Joey's character embodies the theme of hidden heroism – an ordinary person in an unassuming job who possesses extraordinary skills and courage when confronted with crisis.

Key success factors

• Martin Campbell's Direction: Directed by the acclaimed Martin Campbell (known for GoldenEye, Casino Royale), the film benefits from his expertise in crafting tense action sequences and compelling thrillers.

• Daisy Ridley's Lead Role: Daisy Ridley brings her proven action capabilities and a nuanced performance to the role of Joey, carrying the film with her physical and emotional presence.

• "Die Hard" Premise: The familiar and popular "Die Hard in a confined space" premise immediately appeals to fans of classic action thrillers.

• Unique Setting/Concept: The high-rise window cleaner perspective offers a fresh take on the confined-space action genre, creating unique visual and action opportunities.

• Relevant Contemporary Themes: The inclusion of eco-terrorism and corporate corruption adds a layer of modern relevance to the action plot.

Critics Reception

• Metacritic: Received a Metascore of 51 out of 100 based on 17 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews." The user score is "Generally Unfavorable" (3.1/10 based on 38 user ratings).

• Rotten Tomatoes: Holds a 65% "Mixed" rating from critics, with 11 reviews categorizing it as mixed and 6% as negative. The user score is considerably lower.

• Empire Magazine: Gave it 3/5 stars, calling it a "British attempt at a Die Hard [that] ends up just being a bit of a mess." They noted its "perplexing tone," "ham-fisted expositional dialogue," and found it "oddly doesn't know what to do with its stars, sidelining Ridley for the first hour, and wasting Owen."

• Flickering Myth: Described it as "hilariously convoluted" but noted it "works because Martin Campbell uses any preposterous turn of events... to service its tantalizing, crackerjack premise." They praised Ridley's resourceful performance and the "tensely staged and adrenaline-fueled" battles.

• Chicago Sun-Times (Richard Roeper): Stated, "Cleaner is 'Die Hard,' just with different people."

• The Playlist: Found "some well-shot fights" but felt "more was expected" for a film wearing its action ancestry on its sleeve.

• User Reviews (Metacritic): Many user reviews described it as a "bare minimum Die Hard clone," "forgettable flick," "boring until probably the last 15 minutes," and "gender swapped Die Hard clone that's full of modern tropes." Some appreciated Ridley's performance but felt the script failed her.

Overall Summary of Critics Reception: Critical reception for Cleaner (2025) is generally mixed. While some critics appreciated Martin Campbell's experienced direction, Daisy Ridley's physical performance, and the film's adherence to the "Die Hard" formula, many found the script to be uneven, with perplexing tonal shifts, weak character development for its villains, and underutilization of its star power (particularly Clive Owen). The consensus points to a film that is an entertaining but ultimately flawed action thriller, often described as a "Die Hard clone."

Reviews

• Flickering Myth: Highlighted the film's "crackerjack premise" and praised Daisy Ridley for her "resourceful performance demanding multiple types of physicality and acrobatic maneuverability." They found the fight scenes "tensely staged and adrenaline-fueled."

• Empire Magazine: Criticized the film's "perplexing tone" that veers between "harrowing flashback," "bouncy, cheerful pop-music-soundtracked montage," "tense thrills, goofy humour and distressing darkness." They felt Ridley was "sidelined for the first hour" and Owen was "wasted in what is essentially a glorified cameo."

• The Playlist: Acknowledged "well-shot fights" but ultimately found the action felt "slight" compared to Campbell's previous work, suggesting it didn't fully live up to its action ancestry.

• Overall Sentiment: Reviews generally acknowledge the film's attempt to be a modern action classic, but frequently point to issues with narrative coherence, character depth (especially villains), and an overall feeling of being a "bare minimum" or "forgettable" entry in the genre, despite strong individual moments or performances from the leads.

Overall Summary of Reviews: Reviews for Cleaner (2025) are notably split. While some found it a competent and entertaining action thriller, praising Daisy Ridley's lead performance and Martin Campbell's action direction, a significant number of critics pointed out its formulaic nature, inconsistent tone, and underdeveloped script. Many felt it didn't fully utilize its potential or its talented cast, leading to a largely unmemorable viewing experience for some, despite its high-concept premise.

Box Office

As of June 2025, Cleaner (2025) has had a limited theatrical release and its box office performance is modest.

• Worldwide Gross: Approximately $1.3 million.

• Domestic (USA): Approximately $794,091.

• International: Approximately $519,982.

The film premiered in the USA on February 21, 2025, and saw its digital release shortly after, on March 21, 2025.

Production Summary

Cleaner (2025) is a British action-thriller feature film directed by Martin Campbell. It was produced by a consortium of UK-based production and financing companies, aiming for a high-concept, contained action narrative set in a London skyscraper.

Production companies

• Qwerty Films (United Kingdom)

• StudioCanal (United Kingdom / France)

• Anton (United Kingdom / France)

• Anton Capital Investors

• Anton Capital Entertainment

Sales companies

• Anton (International Sales)

Distribution companies

• Quiver Distribution (United States - Theatrical & VOD)

• Sky Cinema (United Kingdom - Initial release, potentially streaming)

• HBO Max (United States - SVOD)

• Other international distributors (e.g., in Russia, Romania, South Africa for limited theatrical releases).

Release date on streaming

Cleaner (2025) was released for Premium Video On Demand (PVOD) on March 21, 2025. Its SVOD (Subscription Video On Demand) release on HBO Max in the United States was on June 13, 2025.

Theatrical Release

Cleaner (2025) had its initial theatrical release in the United States on February 21, 2025. It also saw limited theatrical releases in various international territories around the same time.

Why to recommend this movie

• Martin Campbell's Direction: For fans of Martin Campbell's action filmography, it showcases his signature style, even if critics found the script uneven.

• Daisy Ridley in Action: If you enjoy Daisy Ridley's physical and resourceful performances, she carries the action sequences effectively.

• Classic "Die Hard" Formula: It's a straightforward hostage thriller in a skyscraper, appealing to those who love that specific subgenre.

• High-Stakes Tension: The film aims to deliver a constant sense of peril and urgency, keeping the audience on edge as Joey navigates the building.

Why to Watch Movie

• Fast-Paced Action: If you're looking for a no-frills, high-concept action thriller without deep complexity, it fits the bill.

• Intriguing Premise: The idea of a window cleaner as the last hope in a skyscraper hostage crisis is unique and engaging.

• London Setting: Experience a modern action film set in iconic London high-rise architecture.

• For a Quick Thrill: It's a relatively short film (96 minutes) that aims to deliver immediate action and suspense.

• See a Star in a New Context: Watch Daisy Ridley in a different kind of action role outside of the Star Wars universe.

Movie Trend

Cleaner (2025) fits squarely into the "Contained Action Thriller" subgenre, particularly the "Die Hard in a [location]" trope (in this case, "Die Hard in a skyscraper"). It also reflects the ongoing trend of female-led action films, where women are increasingly taking on roles traditionally dominated by male protagonists, often with a focus on their physical capabilities and resourcefulness.

Social Trend

The film touches upon the social trend of Environmental Activism and Corporate Accountability, highlighting concerns about climate change and corporate corruption, even though it explores the extremist side of activism. It reflects contemporary anxieties about power imbalances between large corporations and activist movements.

Final Verdict

Cleaner (2025) by Martin Campbell is an action-thriller that, while aiming for the heights of a classic "Die Hard," ultimately lands in the territory of a competent but familiar genre exercise. Martin Campbell's directorial experience ensures well-staged action and tension, and Daisy Ridley delivers a committed physical performance as the resourceful lead. However, the film's mixed critical reception points to an uneven script, underdeveloped villains, and tonal inconsistencies that prevent it from fully realizing its potential. While it provides enough thrills for fans of the genre, it largely serves as a serviceable, rather than standout, addition to the high-concept action film landscape.

Recommendations for film makers

• Balance Concept with Script Depth: For high-concept action films, ensure the script development matches the ambition of the premise, focusing on well-rounded characters (including villains) and consistent tone.

• Utilize Star Power Fully: If casting established talent, ensure their roles are substantive and challenging throughout the film, avoiding underutilization.

• Innovate within Subgenres: While leveraging popular subgenres (like "contained thrillers"), aim to innovate beyond mere imitation by introducing truly fresh narrative elements or character dynamics.

• Refine Thematic Integration: If incorporating timely social themes (e.g., environmentalism), ensure they are integrated organically and thoughtfully into the narrative, rather than feeling like a superficial addition or being undermined by simplistic portrayals.

Recommendations for Movie Industry

• Support Original Action Concepts: While franchise films dominate, continue to invest in and promote original high-concept action thrillers that can offer fresh takes on familiar tropes.

• Evaluate Script Strength: Prioritize robust script development and refinement to ensure that even action-heavy films have compelling narratives, believable characters, and consistent tone.

• Strategic Digital Releases: Given the film's box office, the quick pivot to PVOD and SVOD demonstrates a strategic approach to maximizing revenue and audience reach for films that may struggle in traditional theatrical windows.

• Diversify Action Protagonists: Continue to champion diverse protagonists in action roles, building on the success of actors like Daisy Ridley who bring new dimensions to the genre.

Final Conclusions

Cleaner (2025), directed by Martin Campbell, stands as a functional, if somewhat familiar, entry in the high-rise action-thriller genre. It showcases Daisy Ridley's capabilities as a compelling action lead and benefits from Campbell's seasoned hand in crafting suspenseful sequences. However, its reception highlights the challenge of elevating a strong premise with a script that fully delivers on its potential, with critics noting its derivative nature and occasional narrative shortcomings. Despite this, "Cleaner" offers a quick, contained burst of action for audiences looking for a modern "Die Hard" experience, cementing its place as a genre piece that, while not groundbreaking, provides a serviceable thrill.