Overview
In a world where survival is a high-stakes game, one man must navigate the treacherous waters of corporate corruption.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- tense
- paranoid
- sleek
- late night thriller viewing
- focused weekend watch
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's sleek direction, technical craft, dialogue, performances, and gripping cat-and-mouse suspense, while finding the final narrative shortcuts and ending less convincing.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Critics specifically praised Giles Nuttgens's sleek, moody metallic cinematography, reinforcing the film's cold visual atmosphere.
Ash brokers payoffs while maintaining firm rules, then breaks those rules to protect Sarah from lethal threats.
The plot centers on a fixer, corrupt corporations, threatened individuals, hidden agendas, and a sustained pursuit involving manipulation and surveillance.
Ash facilitates lucrative payoffs between corrupt corporations and people who could expose them, linking suspense to political corruption and cover-ups.
Films like Relay, and why
Michael Clayton
Shares sleek conspiracy-thriller mechanics, surveillance tension, morally compromised institutions, and a resourceful protagonist under pressure.
The Constant Gardener
Comparable for paranoid corporate corruption, cat-and-mouse suspense, polished urban atmosphere, and ethical compromise.
The Bourne Identity
Shares a controlled, procedural thriller style built around hidden agendas, manipulation, and escalating distrust.
Enemy of the State
Comparable in its tense pursuit structure, political conspiracy, clandestine operations, and cold contemporary visual mood.
Movie Details
- Director
- David Mackenzie
- Release Date
- 2025-08-21
- Runtime
- 112 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (531)
Cast
- Riz Ahmed
- Lily James
- Sam Worthington
- Willa Fitzgerald
- Eisa Davis
- Matthew Maher
- Victor Garber
- Jared Abrahamson
- Pun Bandhu
- Seth Barrish
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Relay about?
- A rule-bound corporate fixer risks everything to shield a desperate client from the machinery of corruption and pursuit.
- What is Relay like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Relay as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Relay violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Relay as moderate.
- What did critics think of Relay?
- Critics broadly praised the film's sleek direction, technical craft, dialogue, performances, and gripping cat-and-mouse suspense, while finding the final narrative shortcuts and ending less convincing.
- Which films are like Relay?
- Films with a similar feel include Michael Clayton, The Constant Gardener, The Bourne Identity, and Enemy of the State.
- How long is Relay?
- Relay runs 112 minutes.
- Where can I watch Relay?
- In United States, Relay streams on Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads.
