Relay (2025) Movie Review – Where to Watch Online
The world of thrillers has no shortage of stories about whistleblowers, shady corporations, and the middlemen caught in between. But Relay (2025), directed by David Mackenzie (Hell or High Water) and written by Justin Piasecki, takes that premise in a unique direction: what if there was a shadowy broker who specialized in negotiating lucrative payoffs between corrupt corporations and the individuals threatening to expose them?
The movie stars Riz Ahmed as Ash, a world-weary fixer who operates behind the curtain, ensuring that secrets stay buried—until one desperate client forces him to break his own rules. Alongside him, Lily James plays Sarah Grant, a scientist who discovers a devastating truth about the bioengineering company she works for. Together, their lives intertwine in a dangerous game of cat and mouse, where anonymity, survival, and morality collide.
But is Relay the next great paranoid thriller, or does it lose steam along the way? Let’s dive in.
Plot Overview
Ash (Riz Ahmed) is a discreet professional who ensures whistleblowers and corporations can “settle” their disputes quietly. Using a system inspired by real relay services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, he brokers deals while protecting his own identity through a rigid set of rules.
When Sarah (Lily James), a bioengineer, reaches out for help, Ash quickly realizes her case is different. She’s uncovered that her company’s genetically modified wheat—marketed as a solution for food insecurity—causes cancer and other severe health effects. Once Sarah decides to speak out, she becomes a target of her employer’s private enforcers. Seeking protection, she turns to Relay, where Ash is reluctantly drawn in to keep her alive.
What starts as a professional arrangement evolves into a high-stakes survival thriller. Sarah’s incriminating documents, Ash’s carefully guarded anonymity, and the relentless pursuit of corporate mercenaries all collide in a story that balances intrigue with paranoia.
Performances and Direction
Riz Ahmed once again shows why he’s one of the most compelling actors working today. His quiet, calculated performance as Ash is nuanced—he doesn’t need much dialogue to command attention. Even when the screenplay gives him limited emotional beats, Ahmed makes them resonate.
Lily James brings both vulnerability and determination to Sarah, convincingly portraying a woman torn between fear for her life and the moral obligation to reveal the truth.
Sam Worthington takes on the role of one of the corporate villains, though many viewers felt his character (and others in the antagonist camp) lacked development. Still, Worthington manages to add some grit to the chase sequences.
Director David Mackenzie, known for his sharp storytelling in Hell or High Water, brings a paranoid, atmospheric edge to Relay. The New York City setting feels authentic, with scenes that make great use of real locations. However, many critics and viewers noted that while the film begins as a tightly constructed thriller, the third act shifts into more conventional territory—trading intellectual tension for generic chases and gunplay.
Strengths of Relay (2025)
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Unique Concept: A fixer who protects whistleblowers through encrypted communication is fresh, blending real-world technology with cinematic suspense.
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Riz Ahmed’s Performance: His presence alone elevates the film. His subdued, mysterious portrayal carries much of the movie.
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Atmospheric Direction: Mackenzie’s attention to detail and use of urban spaces keeps the film grounded in realism.
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Slow-Burn Suspense: The first half of the movie is particularly strong, with a “cat-and-mouse” feel reminiscent of The Conversation (1974) and Michael Clayton (2007).
Weaknesses
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Uneven Pacing: Several viewers admitted the film dragged in the middle, with stretches where not much happens.
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Underdeveloped Villains: While the protagonists feel fleshed out, the corporate baddies come off as cliché and one-dimensional.
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Predictable Third Act: Some twists land effectively, but the climax leans on overused tropes, diminishing the tension built earlier.
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Tonally Inconsistent: Relay sometimes struggles to decide if it wants to be a slow-burn political thriller or a more action-driven chase film.
Audience Reactions
The reception to Relay has been mixed but leaning positive.
Some viewers praised its originality and strong performances, with one comparing it to a modern version of The Conversation. Others appreciated its attention to detail, particularly the representation of relay services and the incorporation of communication accessibility into the plot.
On the other hand, some were disappointed by the film’s final act, describing it as rushed or falling into clichés. Others noted that despite its strong premise, the film sometimes felt “drier” than expected, missing the raw suspense that makes classic paranoid thrillers unforgettable.
Still, the consensus is that Relay is worth watching for Riz Ahmed’s performance, the clever concept, and the moments of tension that work exceptionally well.
Where to Watch Relay (2025) Online
As of August 29, 2025, Relay is not yet available for streaming or digital rental/purchase. Since it is distributed by Bleecker Street Media, it is highly likely that it will eventually stream on Hulu or Amazon Prime Video, as those platforms frequently host Bleecker Street releases.
For up-to-date streaming availability, you can check: Relay on JustWatch
For official updates, trailers, and news, visit the production company’s website: Bleecker Street – Relay
Based on past release patterns, expect Relay to hit premium video-on-demand (PVOD) rental platforms like Apple TV, Google TV, and Vudu within a few months of its theatrical run, followed by a streaming release.
Final Verdict
Relay (2025) is an intriguing thriller with an innovative concept, elevated by Riz Ahmed’s commanding performance. While it doesn’t fully reach the heights of the genre’s classics, it offers enough tension, originality, and thematic depth to keep viewers engaged.
If you’re a fan of slow-burn, paranoid thrillers with modern twists, this is a film worth checking out—though you may walk away wishing it had taken a few more risks in its final act.
Are you planning to watch Relay (2025) once it hits streaming? Keep an eye on JustWatch to be the first to know when it’s available online.
