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.

If a suspense thriller is suspenseful and thrilling, it has succeeded at its job. And that's how I feel about Relay. It hooks you early with a cool premise and never lets go. The story is interesting and filled with intrigue.

I like that it doesn't explain everything. It allows the viewer to figure things out and put the pieces together. And it has a steady increase in intensity and good escalation to the climax. It does come to a fairly abrupt conclusion, but I still found it satisfying.

The entire cast gives good performances, with the standout being the lead, Riz Ahmed. I had a good time with this movie and was happy with its selection for this week's secret movie screening.

(1 viewing, early screening Mystery Movie Monday 8/11/2025)

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.

I think there are a few things, especially one... that the director thought would be a shock, a killer hook, but... nah. I had the big "secret" figured out about 1/3 of the way and I'm no super-sleuth. Flicks like Knives Out and Simple Plan were much more engaging and so many others have a better cast and acting like Black Bag.

We saw this at the mystery movie Monday special at our local theater. We went into it asking each other "what is this?". The movie sets up slowly but man was it worth the wait. I was on the edge of my seat nearly the entire movie. So many good twists, so many close calls, and a very well thought out and untraceable plan on our protagonists end in delivering his messages. The movie was executed amazingly and the end twist involving another character was slightly predictable but overall still very fun and well done. My only regret is not knowing what happened with one of our villains but maybe that is setting up for a second film.

Would absolutely recommend people watch this.