Prepare for a pulse-pounding ride with Relay, a gripping thriller that plunges into the shadowy world of corporate corruption and desperate survival. The film follows Ash (Riz Ahmed), a razor-sharp broker who facilitates discreet payoffs between powerful corporations and the individuals who threaten to expose them. But when a new client, Sarah (Lily James), seeks his protection to stay alive, Ash breaks his own ironclad rules—dragging them both into a deadly game of cat-and-mouse. With relentless tension, sleek direction, and a morally complex narrative, Relay explores how far people will go to protect their secrets—and their lives.

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker David Mackenzie (Hell or High Water), Relay blends the taut suspense of Michael Clayton with the high-octane energy of The Bourne Identity. As Ash and Sarah navigate a labyrinth of betrayal, the film raises unsettling questions about loyalty, greed, and survival in a world where money talks louder than morality. With a powerhouse ensemble cast and a script crackling with sharp dialogue, Relay is poised to be one of 2025’s most electrifying thrillers.

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Relay cast and roles

1- Riz Ahmed as Ash

Riz Ahmed delivers a career-defining performance as Ash, a calculating yet conflicted broker who operates in the gray areas of corporate espionage. Ahmed brings his signature intensity to the role, portraying Ash as a man who thrives on control—until Sarah’s case forces him to question his own detachment. His ability to shift from cool professionalism to raw desperation makes Ash one of the most compelling antiheroes in recent cinema.

To prepare, Ahmed immersed himself in the world of crisis management consultants, studying their mannerisms and ethical dilemmas. His scenes with Lily James crackle with chemistry, creating a dynamic that’s equal parts mistrust and reluctant alliance.

2- Lily James as Sarah

Lily James transforms into Sarah, a whistleblower with a target on her back, in what may be her most gripping role yet. James portrays Sarah as both vulnerable and fiercely resourceful, a woman whose survival instincts kick in when the system turns against her. Her character’s gradual trust in Ash—and her refusal to be a passive victim—drives the film’s emotional core.

James trained in defensive tactics for the role, performing many of her own stunts. Her ability to convey terror, determination, and cunning in a single glance makes Sarah an unforgettable protagonist.

3- Sam Worthington as Dawson

Sam Worthington is chilling as Dawson, a ruthless corporate enforcer tasked with silencing Sarah at any cost. Worthington dials back his usual heroism to play a villain who operates with cold, bureaucratic efficiency. His quiet menace makes Dawson far more terrifying than a typical action-movie heavy.

The actor drew inspiration from real-life corporate fixers, crafting a villain who sees himself as just “doing his job.” His climactic showdown with Ahmed is a masterclass in understated tension.

4- Willa Fitzgerald as Rosetti

Willa Fitzgerald shines as Rosetti, a tenacious journalist who becomes entangled in Ash and Sarah’s fight. Fitzgerald brings sharp wit and moral clarity to the role, serving as the audience’s window into the story’s larger conspiracy. Her character’s dogged pursuit of the truth adds another layer of urgency to the plot.

Fitzgerald shadowed investigative reporters to nail Rosetti’s relentless energy. Her scenes with Ahmed crackle with intellectual sparring, making their uneasy alliance a highlight.

5- Jared Abrahamson as Ryan

Jared Abrahamson plays Ryan, Ash’s loyal but increasingly uneasy protégé. Abrahamson’s nuanced performance captures Ryan’s moral awakening as he realizes the true cost of their work. His character’s arc provides a fascinating counterpoint to Ash’s hardened worldview.

The actor’s chemistry with Ahmed lends their mentor-mentee relationship both warmth and tension, particularly in a brutal third-act confrontation.

6- Pun Bandhu as Lee

Pun Bandhu is unforgettable as Lee, a hacker who becomes Ash and Sarah’s unlikely ally. Bandhu infuses Lee with sardonic humor and unexpected bravery, stealing every scene he’s in. His character’s tech wizardry provides crucial breakthroughs in their fight against the corporations.

Bandhu consulted with cybersecurity experts to make Lee’s hacking scenes authentically high-stakes. His banter with Ahmed provides much-needed levity amid the thriller’s relentless pace.

7- Eisa Davis as Wash

Eisa Davis brings gravitas to Wash, a former intelligence operative with her own agenda. Davis’ commanding presence makes Wash a wild card—someone who could be Ash’s greatest ally or most dangerous foe. Her character’s cryptic warnings keep the audience guessing until the final act.

The actress trained in tactical combat for the role, performing a breathtaking rooftop chase sequence herself.

8- Matthew Maher as Hoffman

Matthew Maher is chillingly effective as Hoffman, a mid-level executive whose bureaucratic cowardice has deadly consequences. Maher’s portrayal of corporate complicity is all the more terrifying for its banality—a man who’d rather cover up crimes than risk his bonus.

His scenes with Worthington showcase how systemic evil thrives on ordinary people’s silence.

9- Seth Barrish as Morel

Seth Barrish delivers a quietly devastating performance as Morel, a burned-out lawyer caught in the conspiracy. Barrish makes Morel’s moral compromise heartbreakingly human, showing how good people rationalize bad choices.

His monologue about “the cost of doing business” is one of the film’s most haunting moments.

10- Victor Garber as McVie

Victor Garber is perfectly cast as McVie, the silver-tongued CEO at the heart of the scandal. Garber’s charismatic menace makes McVie the kind of villain who’d smile while signing a death warrant.

The veteran actor based his performance on real corporate leaders who avoided accountability, creating a villain for the modern age.

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Why Relay Will Keep You on the Edge of Your Seat

• A timely premise exploring corporate malfeasance and whistleblower survival

• White-knuckle action including a showstopping subway chase sequence

• Moral complexity that refuses easy answers

• A career-best performance from Riz Ahmed

Mark Your Calendar

Relay hits theaters August 21, 2025—prepare for a thriller that’s as intellectually gripping as it is viscerally thrilling.