Riz Ahmed & Lily James’ Under-The-Radar Mystery Thriller Instantly Cracks Netflix’s Top 10 Charts

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The thriller starring Riz Ahmed and Lily James, which quietly premiered in theaters, has been canceled before its wider release.

The film Relay didn’t perform well in theaters, earning only $4 million when it was released in August. However, it recently gained popularity on Netflix, where viewers discovered the thought-provoking mystery, and it climbed to the #10 spot on the U.S. streaming chart as of December 27, 2025.

Ahmed helps James, a whistleblower, battle a corrupt agricultural company. The film’s name comes from the relay service for the deaf that Ahmed utilizes to keep his identity secret.

The film Relay received very positive reviews after premiering at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, earning an 84% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Critics loved the film, comparing it to the smart, suspenseful conspiracy thrillers of the 1970s. They described it as both intelligent and intensely gripping.

I just saw Relay, and let me tell you, it’s shaping up to be one of the most exciting films of 2025! It’s a really clever and thrilling action movie, built on a strong story, and the actors are completely committed to their roles – they really bring it to life.

Ahmed was praised for his performance as Ash, a character who challenges authority by choosing to live completely independently. He was initially drawn to the project, Relay, because of the character’s down-to-earth qualities.

The actor described the experience as feeling like a dream, explaining in August (according to Collider) that everyone fantasizes about disconnecting from technology. “Don’t we all dream of putting down our phones, getting away from it all, and just not being constantly connected?” they said.

You know, after watching that scene, I had this thought – it really resonated, and I think a lot of other movie fans probably felt the same way. It just felt cool, and I wasn’t alone in thinking that.

James, who acted alongside Ahmed in Relay, told IndieWire in August that he was genuinely surprised by the story’s unexpected twists, interesting characters, and the secrets they held.

Director Mackenzie discussed his vision for the film back in August, explaining it draws inspiration from 1970s thrillers such as The Parallax View and The Conversation, though he doesn’t want it to feel like a recreation of that era.

Mackenzie said he didn’t want the film to feel overly sentimental, telling The Playlist he was aiming for a more rebellious, ‘punk rock’ vibe instead.

The director explained that the intention was to create a sense of instability, both physically – like the ground moving – and in terms of what feels real and true. They felt this approach resonated with modern life.

If you’re a fan of clever, suspenseful thrillers with great acting, you’ll probably enjoy Relay, which you can now stream on Netflix.

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2025-12-27 21:12