Our take
Set in New York, Relay follows Ash (Riz Ahmed), a fixer who intermediates between big companies with dangerous secrets and the whistleblowers threatening to bring them down—all for a hefty sum, of course. Sarah (Lily James), a scientist in possession of incriminating evidence, employs his help, but things get complicated when Ash invests more attention than usual in his latest client. Directed by David Mackenzie (Hell or High Water), Relay is a gripping paranoid thriller reminiscent of classic films like The Conversation and critically acclaimed shows like The Robot. In both scenarios, we follow hackers with a heart of gold, sort of, through the beautifully constructed and impeccably detailed lens of the camera. Compared to bigger-budgeted thrillers, Relay may seem more understated and lowkey, but it features great performances, shocking thrillers, and even surprises up its sleeves. It’s one of the better films of its kind to come out this year.
The story
A broker of lucrative payoffs between corrupt corporations and the individuals who threaten them breaks his own rules when a new client seeks his protection to stay alive.
Elsewhere
"Even if it does eventually crumble to pieces, it’s a really strong thriller for the large majority of its runtime."
— David Jenkins
"The conceit of the telecommunications relay gives the movie a tense mood unlike any other."
— Bilge Ebiri
The details
Who picked it
Renee Cuisia is the lead curator at A Good Movie to Watch. In her spare time, she likes to watch K-dramas and analyze them to death. She's also seen You've Got Mail one too many times but is still convinced it's one of the greatest films out there.