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Relay

Play trailer 2:18 Poster for Relay R Released Aug 22 1h 52m Mystery & Thriller Action Play Trailer Watchlist
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79% Tomatometer 121 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 250+ Verified Ratings
In RELAY, Riz Ahmed plays a world class "fixer" who specializes in brokering lucrative payoffs between corrupt corporations and the individuals who threaten their ruin. He keeps his identity a secret through meticulous planning and always follows an exacting set of rules. But when a message arrives one day from a potential client (Lily James), needing his protection just to stay alive, the rules quickly start to change.
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Relay

Relay

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Critics Consensus

A brainy thriller that harkens back to the gritty verisimilitude of classic conspiracy cinema, Relay might have one reversal too many but finishes the race with aplomb.

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Audience Says

Steadily led by Lily James and Riz Ahmed, Relay is a fast-paced, engaging thriller that feels effortlessly and refreshingly original.

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Critics Reviews

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Sergio Burstein Los Angeles Times Ahmed, always excellent, perfectly lives up to expectations by playing a man with a very particular sensitivity... while James does her part with ease. [Full review in Spanish] Sep 4, 2025 Full Review Randy Myers San Jose Mercury News The action set pieces are nerve-wracking, but that screenplay snafu is too significant. Still, there’s a lot to admire in the filmmaking and in Ahmed’s performance. Rated: 2.5/4 Sep 3, 2025 Full Review Robert Abele Los Angeles Times Some of that effectiveness is undercut by some off-putting music choices, but McKenzie's command of the material is rock solid, Giles Nuttgens' cinematography achieves a sleek, moody metallic chill and Matt Mayer's editing is always fleet. Aug 25, 2025 Full Review Andrea G. Bermejo Cinemanía (Spain) Loaded with wit and twists that will keep you glued to your seat. [Full review in Spanish] Rated: 4/5 Sep 26, 2025 Full Review Dionar Hidalgo Algo Más Que Cine Relay delivers a stylish, slow-burn thriller with Riz Ahmed’s compelling performance, but a jarring final twist weakens an otherwise tense, meticulously crafted story of trust, deception, and corporate intrigue. Rated: 6/10 Sep 20, 2025 Full Review Casey Chong Casey's Movie Mania Riz Ahmed and Lily James stand out in David Mackenzie’s mostly solid paranoid thriller. Rated: 3.5/5 Sep 16, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Brent Absolute thriller, with a plot you can't understand how anyone could write 🤘 Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/14/25 Full Review Google Excellent movie,I absolutely loved it.. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/13/25 Full Review June The plot was interesting and I really like the main character. Sometimes the characters would do stupid things and it was really hard to watch. Also some of the side characters were really annoying. Cinematically it was great and it was entertaining to watch. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/07/25 Full Review First Great movie, and even better experience… great margarita! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/06/25 Full Review Rod D good a very surprising ending Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/05/25 Full Review Betty I heard nothing about this movie and cant believe what a great find this was. It kept my attention from Beginning to end. A must see! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/05/25 Full Review Read all reviews
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Relay

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Movie Info

Synopsis In RELAY, Riz Ahmed plays a world class "fixer" who specializes in brokering lucrative payoffs between corrupt corporations and the individuals who threaten their ruin. He keeps his identity a secret through meticulous planning and always follows an exacting set of rules. But when a message arrives one day from a potential client (Lily James), needing his protection just to stay alive, the rules quickly start to change.
Director
David Mackenzie
Producer
Basil Iwanyk, Gillian Berrie, David Mackenzie, Teddy Schwarzman
Screenwriter
Justin Piasecki
Distributor
Bleecker Street
Production Co
Black Bear, Thunder Road Pictures, Sigma Films
Rating
R (Language)
Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Action
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 22, 2025, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 16, 2025
Runtime
1h 52m
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