Cleaner

Directed by Martin Campbell, who returns to the fray after his last film, Dirty Angels, in 2024. This time, the New Zealander redefines what has been a bittersweet career. He delivers a decent action film, without any flash, with likable characters and villains you'll hate, which I think is the film's turning point.

The cast features Daisy Ridley as the film's main protagonist, in a rather bland but charismatic role, something that defines the actress's career. Also in the cast are Taz Skylar, Clive Owen, and a couple of minor supporting characters. The film's journey relies on the charisma of its cast, which allows you to connect somewhat with what's happening. The truth is, the film is quite light on the action, but it has a touch of tension that keeps us from getting too bored.

It's a film that lacks ambition, but it has interesting ideas that don't quite come together. It's true that it attempts to imitate Die Hard in several ways, but it lacks the charisma that the film starring Bruce Willis offers. Here, the charisma comes from the lead actress, but it's not enough to elevate the overall plot with which Cleaner aims to win us over.

We're left with a film that will give you a good time in front of the screen if you don't have high expectations for what you're watching. If you're expecting mind-blowing entertainment, unfortunately, this won't be the ideal film for that. Still, it's a film that achieves its moments and has a certain visual appeal and ideas that allow the film to end with an acceptable and satisfactory result. It's forgettable, sure, but it's also suitable for a family weekend without high expectations.

I'm joking, of course. Looks a lot like someone was channeling Die Hard when they wrote the script. Every time I thought they weren't going to take from that movie, they found another homage...

Ridley is not bad as an action star. I'd watch another movie with her in it. Clive Own, who wasn't in the movie enough to warrant third billing, was fine. Matthew Tuck, on the other hand, was unbelievable as the autistic brother. I think that distracted me a lot.

It had a predictable ending, one I will not divulge here. All in all, not particularly good. All in all, not particularly bad...

See this one after you've seen every other movie, just for closure...

I like Daisy Ridley a lot, and I think she does her best to carry the film, but I just found myself rolling my eyes far too often to enjoy this mess.

I can only suspend disbelief to a certain point, and above every other problem is this... How does everything in the first half of the film happen EXACTLY where the one window cleaner happens to be. This is a four-sided skyscraper!!! Also, people have regular conversations through the glass, one canister of gas in a hallway is enough to knock out everyone on every floor, people travel multiple floors in no time at all, SOOOO many clichès, etc. And as much as I rooted for Daisy to win, it's hard to feel sorry for the hostages.

There was some fun action, though nothing outstanding, and it was capably directed in a way that was very easy to follow. Also, I really enjoyed Matthew Tuck as her brother. Could've been a very annoying character, but he grounded it enough for me.

This movie at its kindest review is mediocre. It's not the worst movie I've ever watched but it no where the best I've ever watched. I totally understand why it started the way it did, it gave a tiny back story. But the character of her brother having autism seemed to have no place in this movie at all. It actually made his character confusing and inconsequential until the end and even then him being autistic had no bearing on the character. The action was decent, the story is the same ole story, and the acting ehhh it just felt off. Will I recommend this movie to others, I seriously doubt it. Will I watch it again, absolutely not. On to the next.

In 1988, one of the best action movies ever was released - Die Hard, which was groundbreaking, and is still fun to watch today.

Since it was released 37 years ago, many movies have tried to replicate its success. Some have succeeded, some have not.

The movie Cleaner tries to be the "Die Hard" of 2025, but it fails to do so.

The plot is not convincing or interesting enough, nor are the few action moments.

Despite everything, I did like the idea that the heroine of the film is a window cleaner. This is undoubtedly the film's strong point, but that's where it ends.

In conclusion, I would not recommend running to watch this movie. The acting is mediocre, there is not much action, and overall it is a movie that you can skip.