Movie Review: Relay

One-liner: An artful, subtle, smart, stylish, suspenseful and thoughtful crime thriller with a sharp cast.

Relay is an unconventional crime thriller starring Riz Ahmed, Lily James and Sam Worthington. The film follows a modern-day Robin Hood who works as a fixer, assisting people in difficult situations -specifically, whistleblowers who need protection or leverage to guarantee their safety. For each job, the fixer takes a payment that is recoverable from the aggressors.

This outsider acts as a middleman, giving his vulnerable clients immunity by taking on the responsibility of guarding potentially damaging secrets. In the film, a woman implicated in a leak from a major pharmaceutical company becomes his new client, forcing him to take her under his wing and protect her from a gang of would-be assailants.

This smart, sleek and restrained thriller is unusual in how it operates, using retro technology to communicate with various parties. Flying under the radar, the fixer protects his anonymity by using a relay calling service, which is typically used by people with disabilities to communicate through a human intermediary. By not keeping records of these conversations and not being infiltrated, the fixer is protected from both his clients and the people he’s thwarting.

Director David Mackenzie, who’s known for Hell or High Water, brings a visual flair that complements the script’s quiet tension. Writer Justin Piasecki, crafts a narrative that is both cerebral and emotionally resonant. His script excels in its subtlety, bypassing heavy exposition in favour of revealing character through action and restrained dialogue, creating a palpable sense of unease and intrigue.

The film’s sparse script relies heavily on the use of this relay service, creating an unusual cat-and-mouse game. This thriller could be likened to You’ve Got Mail, in the way two strangers forge a bond and communicate regularly through an anonymous message

“Every breath you take…”

There is also a dab of Rear Window at play, as the fixer operates with a voyeuristic point of view, similar to a stalker. He keeps his distance but takes an obsessive interest in ensuring his client’s safety. This protector dynamic enhances the sense of intimacy, giving the thriller a curious romantic undertone despite the creeping suspense.

Orchestrating drop-offs, communication becomes a constant matter of security as the fixer outwits his opponents, playing out like a game of chess where each strategic move is done with finesse and precision, without overblown action. The film is quietly enjoyable to watch as the fixer manages to stay a few moves ahead. When things do go awry, the tone and intensity escalate.

Throughout the film, a theme of loneliness plays out, constantly keeping the co-leads isolated and communicating through intermediaries with rare moments of direct dialogue. This isolation gives the film a curious overlay. As the team of hired guns investigates, they pick up clues and get closer to finding their man. The film’s eclectic soundtrack and the ever-changing voices behind the relay service keep it from being repetitive or robotic, although it seems a bit numb that none of the intermediaries pick up on the suspicious nature of the calls.

Relay is a tightly wound, albeit simple, story that works as a cerebral and fairly platonic romance. The third act, which could potentially divide audiences, is well-earned and genuinely surprising as the twists and turns ramp up. This is a finely crafted thriller that doesn’t feel the need to bash you over the head with its action, plot or inner workings. There’s much to appreciate about this elegant film, which goes to great lengths to offer something fresh and exciting.

Even the casting is clever, with Lily James echoing roles like the one she had in Yesterday and Riz Ahmed taking the lead with a nod to Sound of Metal. Sam Worthington, often a vessel for the audience, does a great job of balancing things out as a villain and leader of the surveillance squad.

Ultimately, Relay is a pensive, suspenseful and thoughtful thriller. Its elegant modus operandi is deliberately intricate and labyrinthine, which keeps things at arm’s length, slowly immersing us into the dangerous new assignment without spoon-feeding. Much like the fixer and his new assignment, we get drawn in and beguiled by the tonal dexterity and silky visuals, constantly trying to stay a few steps ahead of the bad guys. This vigilante-style middleman story offers an entertaining and often enthralling man-on-the-run escapade where identity is prized and whistleblowers are safeguarded.

The bottom line: Elegant