Relay – Review

Relay – 2024 – Thriller

Directed by: David Mackenzie
Written by: Justin Piasecki
Main Players: Riz Ahmed; Lily James; Sam Worthington; Willa Fitzgerald; Matthew Maher; Victor Garber

Relay Xlg

A strange and tense opening scene reveals the film's world the viewer is about to step into, as a mysterious man Ash (Ahmed) monitors another man walking towards a restaurant in New York. This man, Hoffman (Maher), is on one side of a transaction, while another man McVie (Garber) enters and sits across from him. It becomes clear that these men are at odds, and this meeting is being brokered through another party guaranteeing Hoffman’s safety, and holding a copy of some files which presumably will damage McVie’s company.

Ash’s job is extraordinary as it is acting as a kind of broker for employees who want to just stay quiet despite the awful things they have come across. Maybe they want a payoff, maybe they just want to keep working, but a safe negotiation is needed. These are unofficial channels, and not designed for whistle blowing, just deal making. Ash stays off all radars on purpose, and keeps his identity anonymous, which is likely the only reason he is still alive. Large companies sometimes would rather settle their debts with a bullet.

Sarah Grant (James) is a scientist working at a biotech company with evidence of an unlawful coverup who was going to go public, but changed her mind and is now in a similar jam. She looks to the “messaging service” that she is given from a lawyer who has never met the intermediary but knows of its existence. No guarantees are made, but she can call the number and try.

The film transitions to its main story as Sarah and Ash connect, throwing themselves into a moral situation of life and death. Ash connects with his clients via a confidential phone network “relay” service available in the Tri-State area, which is typically reserved for those which are disabled. This provides a strong barrier of anonymity for Ash and a safe way to communicate with his possible clients.

Relay is a very interesting and realistic film in multiple ways as it tackles illegal business corporate activities and their employees. It is smartly put together and covers its topics from unique viewpoints and in cool ways especially with the use of the relay system. There must be many people thriving and making money in the darker grey areas and middle markets of corporate espionage and blackmail, so the film is already starting in appealing territory upon opening credits.

The pacing is pretty quick and the good script balances tension, technology and action well. Overall, the cast is quite competent and the movie is slickly done despite what was possibly a modest budget. I definitely had a good time with this movie; despite thinking it could push some of the ideas even further.

See This If You Liked:

The Firm (1993); The Insider (1999); Dark Waters (2019); The Lincoln Lawyer; Michael Clayton; Arbitrage; Mrs. Sloane; The Conversation (1974); The Rainmaker; Puncture; Erin Brockovich

Score:

8.0

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