Cleaner Review

Daisy Ridley takes center stage in this intense action thriller where she plays Joey Locke, a former soldier turned window cleaner, who finds herself caught in a high-stakes hostage crisis on top of a London skyscraper. Directed by Martin Campbell, known for his work on Casino Royale and The Mask of Zorro, Cleaner weaves together suspense, action, and emotional depth, driven by Ridley’s captivating performance.

The film opens with Joey performing her mundane, day-to-day job cleaning windows at a towering skyscraper. However, things take a turn for the worse when a group of eco-terrorists led by the charismatic and ruthless Henry (Clive Owen) take control of the building, taking hostages, including Joey’s autistic brother, Michael. Outside of the building, Joey quickly becomes the sole hope for the hostages’ survival. What follows is a nerve-racking game of cat and mouse as she uses her military training and resourcefulness to try and rescue her brother and the other hostages.

Ridley brings a unique intensity to her role, transforming Joey into a multi-dimensional character—a woman with both strength and vulnerability. She is an unlikely hero, but as the film progresses, viewers are drawn into her emotional and physical journey. Ridley’s portrayal of determination and resilience is one of the film’s strongest aspects, offering a fresh and authentic take on the action-hero archetype. Her interactions with the hostages, especially her bond with her brother, add a human element to the otherwise high-octane plot.

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Martin Campbell’s direction is masterful, keeping the tension high throughout the film. The confined space of the skyscraper and its towering height add to the sense of claustrophobia and vertigo, which heightens the stakes. The action scenes are visceral and grounded, eschewing over-the-top theatrics in favor of more realistic, character-driven suspense. The cinematography cleverly captures both the expansive views of London and the tight, tense moments inside the building.

The ing cast, particularly Clive Owen as the terrorist leader Henry and Taz Skylar as his volatile second-in-command, offer compelling performances. The eco-terrorists are not simply one-dimensional villains; instead, they are presented with layers of complexity and motivations that question moral lines. Their convictions about environmental justice add an intriguing layer to the film, challenging the audience’s perspectives on right and wrong.

The screenplay, written by Matthew Orton, Simon Uttley, and Paul Andrew Williams, delivers a solid mix of action, dialogue, and introspection. The film explores themes of redemption, resilience, and the lengths one will go to for family. However, some plot points may feel familiar to fans of the genre, and certain character arcs could be explored in more depth. Despite these minor shortcomings, Cleaner stands out due to its gripping pace and its focus on Joey’s emotional journey.

Cleaner is a highly entertaining and heart-pounding action thriller that successfully combines thrilling action sequences with emotional depth, all anchored by Daisy Ridley’s standout performance, and Campbell’s excellent direction elevates the film, ensuring it doesn’t merely rely on its action elements but also its character-driven storytelling.