Cleaner

While I had indeed not heard about the 2025 action thriller "Cleaner", when I stumbled upon it by random chance, of course I had to check it out. Especially since the movie had Clive Owen on the cast list.

The storyline in the movie was adequate. Sure, it was a watchable action thriller, but I have to say that I was left with an overwhelming sensation of having just watched a 2025 take on the 1988 movie "Die Hard". It was a bit odd that writers Simon Uttley, Paul Andrew Williams and Matthew Orton collectively couldn't muster more than a remake of the 1988 "Die Hard" movie. But hey, "Cleaner" was a watchable movie, nonetheless.

I was only familiar with leading actress Daisy Ridley and Clive Owen on the cast list. And it was a shame that Clive Owen wasn't given a bigger part to play in the movie, because he could definitely have spruced up the movie quite a bit.

There is a fair amount of action throughout the course of the movie, and it looks good. And I will say that it definitely helped to lift up the movie.

"Cleaner" is a movie worth checking out if you enjoyed the 1988 movie "Die Hard". But this time it is with a female lead.

My rating of director Martin Campbell's 2025 action thriller "Cleaner" lands on a six out of ten stars.

For the story, think very weak die hard, set in the UK with female lead. But with out the light heated moments or catchy one liners.

A run of the mill story that's been done a million times. You aren't going to remember this film next week.

That being said Daisy does well with the script she's given and the lead bad guy (Taz) is really good, would love to see him in more stuff, gotta say, he was the best character.

The action, what there is of it, is actually pretty good, the script is weak, but ok for the type of film. However the brother struggles with his lines due to how they are written and the news report clips feel jaring and look cheap, they clearly look made for the film but trying to copy UK news tv.

The film dosnt take any annoying routes, but there are a few silly bits like the snipers only putting 5 holes in the window she needs to get through and all close together. Clearly toughened safety glass, these professionals could have riddled it making it much easier to get through I also would have given her a pony tail instead of short hair, her look was just a bit off.

It was also a little anti climatic.

That being said, it's was enjoyable, the main cast were good and I made it all the way through. If you're bored and like a bit of no brainer action it's ok. But honestly don't expect to much. It's 5 out of 10 is a fair rating, it dosnt deserve more, but its not terrible.

I'm a big fan of Daisey and also Clive Owen and the Director Martin Campbell (Casino Royal) - but this lame rip off script has little character development or arc - and instead it's just another Hollyweird movie that swaps out Bruce Willis for a chick with a gun. Daisey definitely deserves better scripts as this B script is a direct to video with no real substance and the actors cleaned out Hollywood for a nice pay check. Maybe the suits will learn to make original scripts instead of more rip offs. What's next Ramba - the female Stallone warrior.

At least Clive Owen was smart enough to take a fast paycheck and disappear early in the story so go in with super low expectations and just laugh at the preposterous plot but the action is solid if you can stop laughing at how silly the story actually transpires with one dimensional main character and silly eco terror villains from a cracker box. Maybe AI generated script.

Good news is that Michael Stratham ( Mechanic series) or Charlize Theron ( Atomic series) has nothing to worry about from competition from this lame film.

5 stars for the lead actors and director.

In 1988, one of the best action movies ever was released - Die Hard, which was groundbreaking, and is still fun to watch today.

Since it was released 37 years ago, many movies have tried to replicate its success. Some have succeeded, some have not.

The movie Cleaner tries to be the "Die Hard" of 2025, but it fails to do so.

The plot is not convincing or interesting enough, nor are the few action moments.

Despite everything, I did like the idea that the heroine of the film is a window cleaner. This is undoubtedly the film's strong point, but that's where it ends.

In conclusion, I would not recommend running to watch this movie. The acting is mediocre, there is not much action, and overall it is a movie that you can skip.

TL;DR, not great but okay, but man do some things get to me.

Look I've seen my fair share of bad action films, believe me I'm a sucker for poorly written films.

This movie isn't good narrativly, I'll say that, but it atleast managed to do some things right that made it a step above other bad action films. It tried to take time to build its characters, it wasn't incredibly one-note, and it didn't just jump straight into the action/fights but took the time to build toward it.

The one thing that really gets me is the final confrontation. It doesn't feel like one at all. Just a quick little fight, and boom, the movie ends. Also, not really a fan of the depiction of Autism in the film. It kind of plays into the stereotype that people with Autism are just infantile.

Overall, not great but okay, but man do some things get to me.