Review by Jon Donnis
Martin Campbell returns to familiar action-thriller territory with Cleaner, a film that takes the classic Die Hard setup and transplants it to present-day London. With Daisy Ridley in the lead role, the movie delivers a tense hostage situation, fast-paced action, and a well-constructed setting inside Canary Wharf's One Canada Square. While it doesn't break new ground in the genre, Cleaner is a solid, engaging thriller that makes good use of its premise and lead performance.
Ridley plays Joanna "Joey" Locke, a former special forces soldier who left the military behind after an altercation with a misogynistic squadmate. Now working as a window cleaner, Joey finds herself high above the city when a radical environmental group, Earth Revolution (think Just Stop Oil but a lot less soy intake), storms an energy company's annual gala. The group, led by Marcus Blake (Clive Owen), initially aims to expose the corruption of Agnian Energy, but things spiral out of control when one of its members, Noah Santos (Taz Skylar), hijacks the operation and turns it into a full-scale terrorist attack. With her autistic brother Michael (Matthew Tuck) caught inside the building, Joey is forced into action, using her military skills and knowledge of the skyscraper to take down the extremists from the outside in.
The setup is undeniably familiar, but Campbell directs the action with the confidence of a veteran filmmaker. Ridley handles the physical demands of the role well, convincingly selling Joey as a capable yet vulnerable protagonist. The early parts of the film build suspense effectively, with Joey stranded outside the skyscraper as the terrorists take control. However, the film takes too long to get her inside and into the action, with most of the high-octane sequences packed into the final act. When the action does arrive, it delivers. From stealth takedowns to brutal close-quarters fights, Cleaner makes the most of its confined setting, and the final showdown between Joey and Noah is suitably intense.
One of the film's strengths is its supporting cast, particularly Clive Owen as Marcus Blake, a leader who genuinely believes in his cause but is betrayed by his own people. Taz Skylar is suitably unhinged as the real villain, bringing a menacing presence as the situation escalates. Matthew Tuck also gives a solid performance as Michael, whose online activism ties into the larger themes of corporate corruption and media manipulation.
At 90 minutes, Cleaner moves at a brisk pace, which works in its favour. There's little time wasted on unnecessary subplots, but the film could have balanced its structure better, giving more action throughout rather than backloading it into the final half-hour. The cinematography captures the claustrophobic interiors well, and the use of London's skyline adds visual appeal. Some budget limitations are noticeable, particularly in a few CG-heavy exterior shots, but they don't detract too much from the experience.
While it doesn't reinvent the genre, Cleaner is an enjoyable, well-executed action thriller. Ridley proves she has the presence for this kind of role, and Campbell's direction ensures the film remains engaging from start to finish. It may not reach the heights of Die Hard or The Raid, but for fans of contained action thrillers, it's an entertaining ride.
I score Cleaner a generous 7 out of 10.
Coming Spring 2025 on Sky Cinema and NOW TV
