Set in New York City, the upcoming thriller Relay centers on a highly skilled fixer, portrayed by Riz Ahmed, who orchestrates secretive payoffs between corrupt corporations and individuals threatening to expose them. The story takes a sharp turn when a potential client, played by Lily James, contacts him for protection, forcing him to bend the strict rules he follows to safeguard his identity. Alongside Ahmed and James, the film stars Sam Worthington, Willa Fitzgerald, Matthew Maher, and others, promising a tense narrative filled with secrecy and moral complexity.
This article incorporates insights on the Riz Ahmed Relay Thriller Discussion from a recent episode of The Discourse podcast, featuring comments from Ahmed, James, and director David Mackenzie.
Riz Ahmed’s Motivation and Collaborations in the Film
For Riz Ahmed, the decision to join Relay was deeply influenced by the director and co-stars involved. Ahmed emphasized the importance of trust and connection with the director, stating,
The thing that’s always one of the most important things is your director,
and added,
You’re going to be in their hands. You’ve got to kind of vibe with them. So David was a big pull. And then it’s also, who else are you going to be doing this with? When I heard it was Lily, I was absolutely thrilled.
His enthusiasm for working with Lily James highlights the chemistry and energy the cast brought to the project, setting a strong foundation for the film’s emotional core.
The Unique Dynamic Between Lily James and Riz Ahmed
Lily James found the film’s premise captivating, describing the narrative as “undeniable” and drawn to the complexity of two isolated characters fighting for survival and making difficult decisions. She explained,
I really loved this idea of two very lonely people fighting to do the right thing, or fighting for their lives, and deciding what they do. There’s something throwback about it, but also something pressing and urgent. That was exciting to me, even though I had to act down a phone for a big part of it, which was frightening.
The film’s format relies heavily on minimal direct interaction, with characters communicating primarily through a relay service designed for the deaf, maintaining anonymity. Ahmed spoke about the challenges of this setup, linking it to his character’s experience:
I was desperate to work with Lily, and of course, on set, I’m talking to an assistant director pretending to be an operator. That frustration mirrored exactly what my character was feeling,
adding,
Stories have this mystical way of reflecting your life.
James, in turn, credited director David Mackenzie’s camera work for compensating for the limited physical interaction, saying,
There was a dance between understanding the shot and where the camera’s breathing with you,
and describing the experience as
quite sensual
and unlike anything she had previously encountered.
The Director’s Vision and Approach to Storytelling
David Mackenzie’s direction shaped the film‘s tone and style, aiming for a contemporary and intense atmosphere rather than nostalgia. He described the film’s aesthetic as
more punk rock,
designed to unsettle the audience with a sense of instability and elusive truth. According to Mackenzie, the story mirrors current realities around whistleblowing and corporate corruption, highlighting the fragility beneath the surface.
To ensure authenticity, Mackenzie and Ahmed engaged with real whistleblowers. Mackenzie revealed the sobering truth behind these encounters:
Even if they’d made money, they felt they’d given up everything, and no one really cared. We need whistleblowers, but most of us probably aren’t brave enough to do it.
Collaborative Spirit Among Cast and Crew
The atmosphere on set was described as highly supportive and collaborative, with both Ahmed and James praising Mackenzie’s humility and openness. James called him
a good guy who loves cinema, loves actors, loves stories. There’s no ego, he just welcomes people in.
Ahmed added with a smile,
I think he’s a bad person personally.
before acknowledging,
He’s just so open. He doesn’t impose a style; he serves the story. He saw that this wanted to be ‘Three Days of the Condor’ or ‘Michael Clayton,’ and he served it that way.
Future Projects and Upcoming Releases
Looking ahead, both Riz Ahmed and Lily James have multiple projects slated for release. James is set to appear in the ‘Cliffhanger’ remake and ‘Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo,’ while Ahmed is involved in the upcoming series ‘Quarter Life’ and Alejandro González Iñárritu’s next unnamed project, which also stars Tom Cruise. Director Mackenzie is nearing the premiere of his new film Fuze at the Toronto International Film Festival, describing it as
a bomb and heist movie made like a Ramones song, fast, lean, and fun.
Release Date and Audience Anticipation
Relay is scheduled for theatrical release on Friday, August 22nd, inviting audiences to experience its tense, contemporary thriller narrative that probes themes of secrecy, loyalty, and survival. With its strong cast, insightful direction, and unique storytelling methods, the film is positioned to make a notable impact in the thriller genre.
