Cleaner

Cleaner (2025): Daisy Ridley’s Sky-High Action Thriller Anchored by Family Ties

Directed by seasoned action filmmaker Martin Campbell, Cleaner is a British action thriller released in early 2025. The film stars Daisy Ridley as Joey Locke, a former soldier turned high-rise window cleaner who unexpectedly finds herself at the center of a terrorist siege during a lavish corporate gala. Combining visceral action with emotional stakes, Cleaner delivers a sharp, compact thrill ride set against the dizzying backdrop of a London skyscraper.

The story takes place in One Canada Square, where Agnian Energy Company is holding a major event. A group of eco-extremists launches a coordinated attack to expose corporate corruption, seizing hostages on the upper floors of the tower. Unbeknownst to the attackers, Joey—who happens to be cleaning windows outside the building—is uniquely positioned to intervene. When she discovers that her autistic brother Michael is among the captives, the mission becomes personal. Relying on her military training, agility, and grit, Joey attempts to outwit the terrorists and bring everyone to safety.

Daisy Ridley leads the film with a physical and emotionally charged performance. As Joey, she portrays a woman carrying deep emotional scars, driven by a fierce sense of responsibility for her younger brother. The dynamic between Joey and Michael becomes the emotional core of the film, adding weight to the otherwise high-octane action sequences. Ridley reportedly performed many of her own stunts, which adds authenticity and tension to her rooftop scrambles and building-edge acrobatics.

The supporting cast includes Clive Owen and Taz Skylar as members of the radical group, each bringing different shades of menace to their roles. Owen plays a hardened extremist with quiet intensity, while Skylar injects volatile energy into his portrayal. The villains are not deeply fleshed out, but they serve as adequate foils to the protagonist, keeping the pace brisk and the stakes high.

Martin Campbell’s direction ensures slick, well-executed set pieces with plenty of vertical tension. Known for revitalizing the James Bond franchise, Campbell brings a cinematic polish to the film’s confined setting, making great use of the glass-walled building and its nerve-wracking heights. The action is cleanly choreographed, and the tension builds effectively throughout, even if the premise feels familiar.

Critics gave the film mixed reviews. Some praised Ridley’s commanding screen presence and the film’s fast pacing, while others criticized the predictable plot and underdeveloped characters. Despite that, Cleaner performed well with audiences, particularly during its streaming release, where it quickly climbed into the top rankings on major platforms. The film’s tight runtime of 97 minutes was also noted as a strength, allowing it to deliver thrills without unnecessary detours.

While Cleaner doesn’t break new ground in the action genre, it succeeds as a compact, adrenaline-fueled thriller with a strong emotional anchor. With a likable lead, well-executed stunts, and a high-stakes premise, the film offers a satisfying experience for fans of modern, urban-set action. It’s a solid reminder that a simple premise, when executed well, can still pack a punch—especially when propelled by the determination of one compelling woman willing to scale any height to save her family.