Relay (2025) Review – Riz Ahmed’s Fixer Sells Silence Better Than Your Lawyer.
- Niels Gys
- Aug 22, 2025
- 2 min read
TL;DR
Riz Ahmed plays a fixer who gets rich making bad people shut up. It’s slick, paranoid, and basically the crime-thriller equivalent of watching someone juggle grenades while drinking beer.
The Criminal / Monster at Work
Ahmed plays Tom/Ash (pick a name, dude), a professional middleman who makes problems vanish by throwing money at them. He uses a relay call system — meaning he talks to people through operators so his voice never gets heard. Think burner phone… with a customer service line. Then comes Sarah, a scientist who spilled corporate secrets and suddenly has a hit squad after her. Does he save her? Does he cash in? Both? Neither? That’s the fun.
The Law & Victims IQ Test
There aren’t really “good guys” here, which is perfect. The villains are faceless corporations and their muscle-for-hire. These aren’t cartoon baddies with curly moustaches, just men in suits who’ll casually ruin your week and then go for cocktails.
Style & Vibe Check
The whole thing looks like a 1970s crime flick got dragged into modern New York, then bathed in paranoia and nicotine. Half the movie is people talking on phones — but it’s tense, sweaty, and way cooler than it sounds.
Villain Performance Rating
Riz Ahmed: Scary calm. He can stare at you silently and you’ll spill your secrets just to fill the silence.
Lily James: Plays the whistleblower without the “I’m a perfect angel” act. She’s messy, selfish, and real.
Sam Worthington: Big bad enforcer. Less James Bond villain, more “guy you don’t want to meet in an Aldi car park.”
Mayhem Quality Control
Don’t expect shootouts every five minutes. This is more about tension, paranoia, and shady deals than blood splatter. Still, when the heat comes down, it hits hard.
Criminal Mastermind Score (CMS)
Planning & Tricks: 9/10 — Relay calling as cover? Genius.
Money & Leverage: 8/10 — It’s literally about hush money.
Freedom to Be Bad: 7/10 — Not a sandbox, but deliciously shady.
Style & Atmosphere: 8/10 — Sleek noir with modern polish.
Ending Satisfaction: 7/10 — The finish is a little safe, like robbing a bank then giving the cash back.
Overall CMS: 8/10 — Prime CRIMENET material.
Best Criminal Lessons to Steal
Relay calling works: A middleman talking for you keeps your voice off the record. Also handy when you don’t want Domino’s to know it’s your 5th pizza this week.
Money beats morals: Heroes save cats. Fixers get paid. Guess which one retires rich?
Time kills truth: Scandals fade, but cash settlements last forever.
Final Verdict
Relay is for people who cheer when the villain is smarter than everyone else. It’s slick, tense, and morally messy — a proper crime thriller where no one’s a saint and everyone’s for sale. Bring popcorn. Leave morals at home.
Mini-FAQ
Is it based on a true story?
Nope, but it could be. Corporate hush money happens every week.
Can I hire Riz Ahmed’s fixer?
Only if you’ve got a spare suitcase of cash and nerves of steel.
Who’s the heavy?
Sam Worthington, looking like the guy your mum warns you about.
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