A Lone Fighter, a Corrupt Corporation, and No Way Down

Read Time:4 Minute, 30 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Cleaner
–

Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller
Year Released: 2025
Runtime: 1h 36m
Director(s): Martin Campbell
Writer(s): Matthew Orton, Simon Uttley, Paul Andrew Williams
Cast: Daisy Ridley, Clive Owen, Taz Skylar, Flavia Watson, Ray Fearon, Rufus Jones, Richard Hope, Lee Boardman, Stella Stocker, Atanas Srebrev, Celine Arden, Akie Kotabe
Where To Watch: coming to select theaters February 21, 2025

RAVING REVIEW: As the skyscraper looms, it becomes a battleground and trap. Our protagonist fights against impossible odds, and a hostage crisis spirals out of control. With high-stakes tension, adrenaline-fueled set pieces, and a strong core, the film crafts an experience that is as gripping as it is relentless. Ultimately, the story feels familiar but still offers a fun journey.

Joey Locke (Daisy Ridley), a former soldier who has turned into a window cleaner, spends her days high above London’s skyline, amongst the city’s most imposing structures. But her job takes a dangerous turn when an environmental activist group storms a corporate gala, seizing 300 hostages. Stranded on the outside with no backup, Joey must use her skills, determination, and ingenuity to navigate the skyscraper and take down the extremists before time runs out. The stakes feel impossibly high with every move monitored, every decision a gamble, and every second bringing her closer to failure.

One of the most impressive elements of this film is how it transforms its setting into a key player in the story. The skyscraper isn't just a backdrop; it’s a towering nightmare filled with glass walls, sheer drops, and precarious ledges that dictate every sequence. The verticality of the space forces Joey into a battle where gravity is as much an enemy as the terrorists inside. The cinematography fully uses this concept, capturing dizzying wide shots that emphasize the immense danger while bringing the audience to the edge of the action.

Ridley brings an impressive physicality to Joey, making every climb, swing, and near-fall feel brutally real. There’s no invincible action hero here—every step she takes is filled with exhaustion, injury, and the looming possibility of failure. But it’s not just the physical endurance that makes her character compelling; it’s the emotional weight she carries. Her relationship with her autistic brother adds a deeply personal motivation, grounding the film’s high-intensity action with a raw and urgent narrative. Ridley sells every moment with a performance that is as vulnerable as fierce.

Clive Owen plays Marcus Blake, the leader of the Earth Revolution. This man initially envisions their demonstration as a wake-up call to corporate corruption rather than an act of terrorism. But when radical elements within the group seize control, his vision collapses, replaced by chaos and violence. Taz Skylar’s Noah embodies this darker side, a man so consumed by his ideology that he’s willing to destroy everything, including his team, to make a statement. This internal conflict adds an extra layer of unpredictability, making the hostage situation feel even more volatile.

The film also doesn’t shy away from exploring deeper themes. It touches on corporate greed, environmental destruction, and the blurred line between activism and extremism. While the plot remains focused on the immediate crisis, these underlying themes add weight to the story, giving the film a sense of relevance beyond its action-packed sequences. The script doesn’t preach, but it does encourage thought—who truly holds power, and what happens when desperation pushes people beyond the point of no return?

However, there are moments where the film could have gone even further. Joey’s backstory is touched upon, but it feels like a missed opportunity to explore her past and what shaped her into the person she is. While her relationship with her brother is compelling, more time spent on their shared history would have strengthened the emotional stakes.

The film still is a thrilling entry in the action-thriller genre. It delivers a fresh take on a familiar concept, using its unique setting and compelling lead performance to create a tense, visually dynamic experience. The balance between breathtaking action and grounded characters makes it stand out. Offering more than just spectacle, it delivers a gripping, emotionally charged ride long after the credits roll.

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[photo courtesy of QUIVER DISTRIBUTION]

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