Directed by David Mackenzie, Relay introduces a gripping analog-era thriller centered around secrecy, guilt, and silent danger. The official trailer debuted today, setting the stage for a theatrical release on August 22, 2025 via Bleecker Street.
Plot & Premise
Riz Ahmed plays Ash/Tom, a covert “fixer” who brokers hush deals through a relay phone system. He lives by strict rules—anonymity, no records—until Sarah (Lily James), a biotech scientist, contacts him after uncovering a toxic chemical cover-up.
The trailer emphasizes quiet intensity—Ash barely speaks in the first half-hour, heightening suspense as viewers listen to third‑party messages—an homage to ’70s thrills and films like Michael Clayton.
With retro relay cords, phone whispers, and shadowy deals, the film favors deliberate tension over digital spectacle. Background narration warns: “When you are finished, say: ‘Go ahead.’”
Cast & Crew
David Mackenzie (Hell or High Water, Outlaw King) is set to direct, screenwriter is Justin Piasecki, whose original script landed on the 2019 Black List (then titled The Broker).
Riz Ahmed is starring as Ash/Tom, Lily James co-starring as Sarah Grant, and its supporting cast includes Sam Worthington, Willa Fitzgerald, Matthew Maher, Victor Garber.
Relay debuted at TIFF 2024, followed by an acclaimed Tribeca screening in June 2025. It’s set for release on August 22, 2025, in the U.S.
Relay is a quiet yet intense thriller that channels analog-era tension into a modern context. With Riz Ahmed’s restrained performance and Lily James’s emotional arc, under David Mackenzie’s stark direction, this film looks to be a must-watch for fans of smart, suspenseful cinema.
