In the new action-thriller Cleaner, directed by Martin Campbell (famed for his work on GoldenEye and Casino Royale), the window-cleaning profession takes on an unexpected level of heroism. Daisy Ridley stars as Joey, a feisty, ex-military window cleaner who finds herself in the midst of a terrorist takeover. When a gang of eco-terrorists seizes control of a high-rise building, Joey is thrust into a high-stakes battle to save over 300 hostages.
The plot centers around Earth Revolution, a radical group claiming to expose the corrupt practices of a major energy company. Their mission quickly escalates from protest to violence, with the group’s leaders – Marcus (Clive Owen) and Noah (Taz Skylar) – clashing over the use of lethal force. While Marcus wants to raise awareness of the company’s crimes, Noah is intent on bloodshed. The tension between them drives the film’s central conflict, culminating in a deadly standoff that leaves Joey, perched helplessly on an external scaffolding, as the unlikely hero.
Screenwriter Simon Uttley introduces Joey with a personal backstory that adds depth to her character. Early scenes reveal her struggles with family and work—she’s late for her shift, juggling the care of her neurodivergent brother Michael (Matthew Tuck), and dealing with a demanding boss. This groundwork sets up Joey’s quick temper and fierce determination, qualities that make sense when her military past is later revealed. A physical altercation with a fellow soldier forced her to leave the armed forces, and her experience becomes vital when the terrorists threaten to bring down everything she holds dear.
As the action intensifies, Joey’s resourcefulness and training allow her to survive long enough to send an SOS to the authorities, though her involvement initially has them suspecting her as one of the terrorists. She eventually forms an alliance with a police superintendent (Ruth Gemmell), which provides a brief respite for character development amidst the tension.
Campbell, an experienced director of action films, delivers tight and engaging sequences that keep Cleaner moving at a brisk pace. While the film offers some thrilling moments, it falls short of the genre’s classics, relying heavily on predictable tropes. The villains lack the charisma that would have made their motivations more compelling, and the film’s formulaic approach can feel tiresome at times.
One of the biggest disappointments comes with Clive Owen’s role, which sees him receiving limited screen time and an especially unceremonious exit that feels beneath his talent. Fans of Owen, once speculated to be a contender for the role of James Bond, may find this especially frustrating.
Despite Ridley’s best efforts, she struggles to fully convince as the action hero capable of taking down a group of terrorists while dealing with the emotional burden of caring for her brother. Her performance, while physically capable, doesn’t entirely sell the transition from a vulnerable woman to a hardened fighter. After her impressive turn in Young Woman and the Sea, it’s disheartening to see her in a role that doesn’t challenge her acting range in the same way.
Ultimately, Cleaner delivers the bare minimum for an action film: decent thrills, a solid lead performance, and enough spectacle to keep audiences engaged for its short runtime. However, it never rises to the level of its inspirations and will likely be remembered more for its formulaic execution than any lasting impact.
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