Relay is easily one of the most enjoyable films I’ve seen at Tribeca this year.
Its solid pacing, intricate plot, and strong performances make Relay an entertaining and exciting watch for any audience. While the film is incredibly accessible, it does reward paying attention and rewatching, as a clever eye and genre-savvy background allow you to pick up on the subtle clues and implications behind every line of dialogue. Relay is an enjoyable film to explore, which is why I was excited to handle the red carpet at its premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival.
I spoke with director David Mackenzie, who is responsible for films such as Starred Up, Outlaw King, and the Oscar-nominated Hell or High Water. We discussed the film’s use of public services in an espionage manner, its influences from classic 70s thrillers, and the world of whistleblowers. I talked with both Riz Ahmed and Lily James about how they overcame their narrative limitations so they could deliver outstanding performances. Pun Bandhu and Jared Abrahamson, who played mercenaries in the film, discussed how they injected personality into their roles to make them memorable.
Relay is still playing at the Tribeca Film Festival on Wednesday, June 11, and Friday, June 13. You can buy tickets here. You can also check out my full review here.
