Relay

Relay was an unexpected delight. Saw this at a Screen Unseen AMC preview tonight. I had seen the trailer a few days ago but didn't pay much attention to it, so I went into this completely blind. It harkens back to the 70's paranoid spy thrillers like The Conversation, Three Days of the Condor, and The Parallax View. Sort of a Jason Bourne film without the relentless action for filler. That not to say Relay wasn't tense, because it was. Held my attention from the opening scene to the credits. Riz Ahmed is a criminally underused actor. He commands your attention as the technology brain go-between trying to hold the deal together. Lily James held her own as the damsel in distress whose whistleblower sets the plot in motion. And it's good to see Sam Worthington again in something other than Avatar, as the main corporate security thug whose team is determined to get the corporate documents back. If you're looking for an intense, twist, adult thriller that doesn't insult your intelligence, this if for you.

I saw Relay early due to Screen Unseen.

Relay is an absolute standout - a gripping, high-stakes thriller that had me hooked from the opening scene to the final moments. The story follows Lilly, a determined protagonist caught in the crosshairs of a corrupt corporate scandal, as she navigates tense dealings with the enigmatic broker Riz. Every interaction crackles with tension, and the film masterfully delivers sharp twists and unexpected turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. Smart, suspenseful, and refreshingly unpredictable, Relay is a must-watch.

It started off really slow. I was kind of not feeling it at first to be honest, but once it heated up it was pretty good. Despite the pacing I still give it a high 8 because it's honestly the most unique idea for a movie I've seen in a long time. In a world filled with sequels and movies based on books it's refreshing to have this fantastic new idea that's so different from everything else out there.

This move really had me on the edge of my seat from the beginning. It had a 'what is going on here' vibe, but I wasn't confused or bored, I just really wanted to know the answer. The cat and mouse elements are really incredible and it has a great twist toward the end that leaves you rethinking the actions of a main character through out. Definitely worth your time.

People sometimes find themselves in unfortunate situations with seemingly no way out. That's where Ash, played by Ahmed, steps in-as a mediator who ensures both sides can walk away clean, with no strings attached and no need to look over their shoulders. A clean break. Unsurprisingly, Ahmed is brilliant. With limited dialog in the first half of the film his body language and mannerisms allows his presence to be felt. Also, shoutout to the wardrobe department for making him a master of disguise. This film is really engaging, thrilling, and with well timed moments of comedy at times. Thought I felt the runtime was a bit long the story is compelling enough to make it worth the watch.