Relay

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.

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.

Great concept but felt the movie lacked overall substance and depth. Only lightly touched on some key themes or concepts but didn't dive deep on them resulting in plot points feeling wishy washy. This resulted in the movie having moments where it felt impactful but then it quickly moved on without having that same moment included in other parts of the movie making you question what the point was to include it. This resulted in some timing being off with moments that felt impactful and others that felt boring and making you question.

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)

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.