Stanisland Magazine

David Mackenzie’s stylish new spy film sees him push Lily James into a nightmare scenario

Last updated: 12th July 2025

Oscar winning actors Riz Ahmed and Lily James team up for a high-octane one-of-a-kind action-thriller — Relay. Promising a cat and mouse style espionage experience, it seeks to paint our cinema screens with a fresh take on the spy genre without compromising its integrity.

It’s great to see Ahmed continue his upward trajectory in the movie business without bowing to the demands of a stereotype-driven industry. This time, the British-Pakistani actor takes the mantle of protagonist and offers something the desi population has long craved: representation. This is especially true for the Pakistani diaspora, who are often painted as insurgents, villains, and convenience store owners — as if that’s all we are.

The Plot Thickens

Pitched as a cat-and-mouse thriller, it follows the story of Ash, a fixer who brokers payoffs between whistleblowers and corrupt corporations.

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However, one day his services are sought for protection by Sarah, and it’s all downhill from there as his secretive system of communication, utilising devices for the hearing impaired, is uncovered.

Nuanced Cast Brings Realism and Drama

It stars Riz Ahmed (Sound of Metal) and Lily James (Baby Driver) as the main protagonists, while Avatar lead Sam Worthington shows his villainous side as a stooge for hire, forcing Ash and Sarah into the open. It’s directed by English filmmaker David Mackenzie, known for films such as Starred Up and Outlaw/King. It is produced by Black Bear Pictures, Thunder Road, and Sigma Films.

Our Verdict

Tapping into a cluster of action films that preceded it, it’s a product of a return to paranoia and anticipation. Featuring slick edits and the machinations of a corporate machine, it tours the narratives of a seedy industry and the exploits of an underworld invisible to us all.

That’s the world of corporate espionage. What this film appears to get right, is that the spies we’re used to in movies are dead. Digital systems have largely wiped human intelligence from operational implementation, but corporate spying is alive and well. Yes, it relies on cyberattacks, but the way it operates is still largely in person. In many ways, this makes Relay a realistic proposition.

Relay Cinematic Release

The film is slated for an August 22nd 2025 release in theatres worldwide and is distributed by Bleecker Street.