Riz Ahmed’s Dynamite Performance Highlights ‘Relay,’ a Sophisticated Entry in the Conspiracy Thriller Genre

David Mackenzie’s “Relay” represents a compelling return to the paranoid thriller genre that defined 1970s cinema, delivering a taut whistleblower narrative that showcases Riz Ahmed’s remarkable range as a performer. The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2024, and is scheduled for theatrical release on August 22, 2025.

Critics have largely embraced “Relay” as a sophisticated entry in the conspiracy thriller genre, with many drawing favorable comparisons to classics like “Three Days of the Condor” and “The Parallax View” (High on Films). IndieWire praised the film as “sharp, fun, and smartly entertaining from its first scene to its final twist,” describing it as “an old-fashioned movie about an old-fashioned guy.”

Screen Daily characterized it as “a slow-burn, high-concept paranoid thriller” that “implicitly trusts its audience – until it doesn’t,” highlighting both the film’s strengths and its perceived weaknesses. The critical consensus suggests that Mackenzie has crafted an immersive and intelligent thriller that succeeds in creating genuine tension through its methodical approach to espionage.

However, critics have identified a significant flaw in the film’s final act. Multiple reviews note that the third act undermines much of the careful world-building established in the first two acts. High on Films reported that the film “makes a fatal mistake in its final act that invalidates much of the world building,” while Queer Horror Movies noted that after “a satisfying, slightly melancholy climax,” there’s “an additional action-heavy 10 minute closer tacked-on.”

The Story and Mackenzie’s Direction

The film follows Ash (Ahmed), a secretive “fixer” who brokers deals between whistleblowers and corporations seeking to suppress damaging information. When he encounters Sarah (Lily James), a scientist turned accidental whistleblower, Ash finds himself questioning his role in a morally complex system. The narrative cleverly utilizes the New York Relay Service—a real telecommunications service for people with hearing or speech disabilities—as both a practical plot device and metaphor for hidden communication networks (Film-Book.com).

Riz Ahmed’s career represents a model for how actors can navigate Hollywood while maintaining artistic integrity and cultural relevance.

Mackenzie, known for his acclaimed work on “Hell or High Water” and “Starred Up,” brings his characteristic attention to detail and character development to this urban thriller. Critics have noted his ability to create tension through atmosphere rather than relying heavily on action sequences, though some have criticized the inclusion of more conventional chase scenes as detracting from the film’s cerebral approach (High on Films).

Riz Ahmed: A Career in Ascendancy

Ahmed’s performance in “Relay” continues his impressive trajectory as one of contemporary cinema’s most versatile actors. The British-Pakistani performer is “an Emmy and Oscar-winning actor and rapper, best known for his roles in ‘Nightcrawler’ (2014) and ‘Sound of Metal’ (2019) and on television in ‘The Night Of’ (2016).”

Film-Book.com noted that “Ahmed is one of the strongest working actors today, and he turns in another dynamite performance as the reclusive and complicated James. With no more than two dozen lines, Ahmed relies on facial expressions and body language to build out the character and the world he exists in.”

Ahmed’s career arc represents a remarkable journey from near-departure from acting to Academy Award recognition. Notably, Ahmed “nearly quit acting before being cast in his breakthrough role in the 2014 film “Nightcrawler” because he was not making enough money.” His subsequent career trajectory has been defined by thoughtful project selection and transformative performances.

His role as “a drummer who loses his hearing in the drama film Sound of Metal (2019)” earned him “a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor,” cementing his status as a leading performer capable of carrying complex, demanding roles. Ahmed has stated that he evaluates projects using two metrics: “Does it stretch me, and does it stretch culture?”

In “Relay,” Ahmed once again demonstrates his ability to convey complex internal states with minimal dialogue. High on Films praised his “ability to rattle off complex blocks of information” while maintaining character authenticity, noting that “there is never a point at which Ash’s hyper-awareness feels like a gimmick used to get through expositional chunks.”

“Relay” represents both the potential and limitations of contemporary paranoid thrillers. While critics appreciate Mackenzie’s sophisticated approach to the genre and Ahmed’s compelling central performance, the film’s structural problems in its final act have prevented it from achieving universal acclaim.

Slant Magazine noted that the film “wrings real tension and excitement out of the simple exchanging of clandestine messages and sensitive information,” suggesting that when “Relay” focuses on its cerebral elements, it succeeds admirably. The film’s exploration of corporate surveillance and whistleblower vulnerability resonates with contemporary concerns about privacy and accountability in the digital age.

For Ahmed, “Relay” continues his pattern of selecting challenging, socially conscious projects that showcase his range while addressing relevant themes. His career represents a model for how actors can navigate Hollywood while maintaining artistic integrity and cultural relevance.

Despite its third-act stumbles, “Relay” succeeds as both an entertaining thriller and a showcase for Ahmed’s considerable talents, positioning both the actor and director for continued success in the genre while highlighting the ongoing relevance of paranoid cinema in our surveillance-heavy era.