Relay (2025) — Film Review

 Relay, A quiet, calculated thriller about money, power, and the people who operate in the shadows.

Relay arrives on Prime Video with the calm confidence of a film that doesn’t need explosions or car chases to make you uncomfortable. Instead, it deals in whispers, long pauses, and the kind of corporate corruption that feels alarmingly believable.

The story follows a professional intermediary — played with remarkable restraint by Riz Ahmed, whose job is to broker discreet, lucrative payoffs between corporations and the individuals trying to expose them. He’s the invisible bridge between two worlds that shouldn’t meet. His work is clean, cold, and efficient… at least on the surface.

The film thrives on atmosphere. Every scene feels like it’s hiding something beneath polished offices and polite conversations. The tension builds with slow, deliberate steps, rewarding the viewer for paying attention rather than overwhelming them with noise.

Riz Ahmed delivers a quietly powerful performance, portraying a man who has mastered the art of staying invisible while controlling everything around him. The supporting cast is equally strong, each character adding depth to a world where everyone has motives, and no one tells the whole truth.

And then, just when the film settles into its rhythm, a particular shift in the story adds a new sense of urgency. It’s subtle, clever, and entirely earned, giving the narrative an extra layer without ever feeling like a trick. The less said about it, the better; it’s one of those film moments that’s far more effective when you discover it naturally.

Relay isn’t perfect, the pacing occasionally drifts, and some scenes take their time — but it’s a rare thriller that respects the viewer’s intelligence. It’s tense without being loud, dramatic without being theatrical, and unsettling in a way that lingers.

VERDICT: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

A smart, tightly wound corporate thriller that rewards patience and pays off with precision.
Quiet, controlled, and surprisingly gripping — a standout in this year’s lineup.