Can sensitive information still take down powerful corporations? A fixer discovers the constantly growing divide between ethics and capitalism in “Relay.” The film follows Tom, a middleman who arranges deals for individuals holding on to crucial files. Everything changes when he meets a whistleblower whose life is in danger. “Relay” hails from director David Mackenzie and screenwriter Justin Piasecki. Mackenzie drew attention for the highly praised and Oscar-nominated western drama “Hell or High Water.” He also directed several episodes of 2022’s “Under the Banner of Heaven.”
The film, which was a 2024 TIFF world premiere event, features a first-rate cast. Riz Ahmed stars as the cautious fixer who falls for his newest client. Working with Mackenzie seems to suit the accomplished actor, with The Playlist’s Gregory Ellwood noting they appear to be “having a blast” in his review. Lily James portrays Sarah as a vulnerable client. The actress found acclaim for her performance in the wrestling drama “The Iron Claw.” Sam Worthington, Willa Fitzgerald, Jared Abrahamson, Victor Garber, and Matthew Maher co-star in “Relay.”
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The film’s official synopsis:
In Relay, Riz Ahmed plays a world-class ‘fixer’ who specializes in brokering lucrative payoffs between corrupt corporations and the individuals who threaten their ruin. He keeps his identity a secret through meticulous planning and always follows an exacting set of rules. But when a message arrives one day from a potential client (Lily James) needing his protection just to stay alive, the rules quickly start to change.
Michael Heimler, John Friedberg, Erica Lee, Charlie Morrison, and Per Melita serve as executive producers on “Relay.” The film debuts in theaters nationwide via Bleecker Street on August 22. Watch the new trailer below.
