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Relay (2024 film)

Relay is a 2024 American thriller film directed by David Mackenzie and written by Justin Piasecki.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Relay is a 2024 American thriller film directed by David Mackenzie and written by Justin Piasecki. It stars Riz Ahmed, Lily James, and Sam Worthington, and follows a secretive intermediary who brokers deals between whistleblowers and powerful corporations. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024 and was released theatrically in 2025.

Premise

The film centres on a discreet fixer who uses a relay-style communication system to broker exchanges between whistleblowers and corporations. The plot involves a woman seeking protection after taking sensitive documents from her employer.

Cast

The principal cast includes Riz Ahmed, Lily James, and Sam Worthington. Other credited performers include Willa Fitzgerald in supporting roles.

Production and release

Relay was directed by David Mackenzie from a screenplay by Justin Piasecki. It premiered at TIFF in September 2024 and later reached theatres in August 2025.

Reception

The film was reviewed as a tense thriller and described by critics as a whistleblower or conspiracy thriller. Public-facing coverage emphasized its suspenseful style and its focus on covert communication.

Key facts

  • Relay is a 2024 American thriller film directed by David Mackenzie and written by Justin Piasecki.
  • It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2024, and was released theatrically in 2025.
  • The plot involves a secretive fixer who uses a relay system to broker deals between whistleblowers and corporations.
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Canadian context

The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, making its Canadian connection especially relevant for Canadian readers.

Frequently asked questions

What is Relay (2024 film) about?
It is about a secretive fixer who brokers payoffs and protection deals between whistleblowers and corporations through an anonymous relay communication system.
Who directed Relay?
Relay was directed by David Mackenzie.
Who wrote the screenplay for Relay?
The screenplay was written by Justin Piasecki.
Who stars in Relay?
The film stars Riz Ahmed, Lily James, and Sam Worthington.
When did Relay premiere?
It had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2024.
When was Relay released theatrically?
It was released theatrically in the United States on August 22, 2025.

References

  1. Wikiwand — https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Relay_(film)
    Supports: Director, writer, cast, premise, world premiere, and scheduled theatrical release information.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/relay
    Supports: Director, producer, screenwriter, distributor, genre, release date, runtime, and plot synopsis.
  3. The Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/film/article/2024/sep/09/relay-movie-review-riz-ahmed
    Supports: Film premise, Toronto Film Festival screening, and lead character details.
  4. Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q117742969
    Supports: Basic identification of Relay as a 2024 American film directed by David Mackenzie.