Die Hard Again, But Low On Action

RATING – ⭐⭐✨ 2.5/5*

Cleaner Review Movie Talkies:

Cleaner is clearly designed to remind audiences of the Christmas action classic Die Hard (1988). Only this time, instead of an NYPD detective, we have a female window cleaner climbing the outer walls of a corporate building while chaos unfolds inside. That alone sets up some predictable storytelling, but the film attempts to introduce new layers by presenting antagonists that evolve into deadlier versions of themselves as time progresses. Their motives—rooted in a strange anti-human philosophy—somehow make them appear more grounded and even relatable at times. Despite this seemingly fresh angle, Cleaner relies too heavily on its initial plot setup, leading to a loss of excitement. Its predictability becomes its biggest flaw, and the sparse action doesn’t help either. Personally, I found it hard to digest how a female cleaner—despite being an ex-soldier—could take down trained goons so effortlessly. It just didn’t ring true.

Cleaner Story:

The plot revolves around Joey (Daisy Ridley), a former soldier whose childhood trauma for wall climbing has turned into her day job. Now, 20 years later, she works as a window cleaner at the towering One Canada Centre building. Joey also cares for her autistic brother Michael (Matthew Tuck), and due to work pressure and circumstances, she ends up taking him along to the job site. On the same day, a high-profile party involving several corporate shareholders is violently interrupted by a radical group of supposed environmental activists. Soon, it’s revealed they’re not mere protestors—they’re anti-human extremists with a deeper, darker agenda. They take the party attendees hostage and begin lining up the elite for confessions of their past misdeeds. Meanwhile, Joey finds herself literally hanging off the building and searching for an access point to rescue her brother. As the police arrive but fail to breach the building, Joey is left with no choice but to take matters into her own hands, launching a her own operation to dismantle the gang and save the day. But can she really stop this deadly group alone?

Written by Simon Uttley, Paul Andrew Williams, and Matthew Orton, Cleaner doesn’t deliver the edge-of-the-seat thrills one expects from a high-rise hostage action film. It ends up as a rather mediocre affair that rarely rises above its predictable structure. That said, there are a few “counter” sequences in the latter part of the film that provide some much-needed energy, especially towards the finale. It’s genuinely refreshing to watch a female protagonist take charge and kick some serious ass, even if the setup feels overly convenient. While the overall dish might be full of familiar ingredients, it’s served in a slightly new style—but not enough to elevate the experience significantly. Interestingly, the film’s major turning point doesn’t involve the protagonist and the main villain; instead, it plays out between two antagonists, which is quite a surprising deviation. The story takes a dark and unexpected turn near the end, which helps the antagonistic side gain the upper hand rather easily. However, most viewers will likely see it all coming from a mile away. The biggest issue with Cleaner is that its predictability robs it of nearly half its potential, leaving only a portion of the narrative for the audience to truly enjoy. Thankfully, the runtime is short, so the film doesn’t drag or bore.

Cleaner Cast:

Daisy Ridley impresses with her physical performance and screen presence. Her action sequences look convincing and well-executed. However, the writing doesn’t support her well—Joey’s character lacks emotional depth and doesn’t quite evoke the empathy or heroism you’d expect from the lead. Despite her honest efforts, the character remains underdeveloped. Matthew Tuck does a respectable job as her autistic brother, while Clive Owen starts off strong but exits the story too abruptly to leave a lasting mark. Taz Skylar is one of the standout performances, playing the deranged and unpredictable Noah Santos. His portrayal adds intensity to the film’s core. Ruth Gemmell is fine in her limited screen time, and the supporting cast—including Flavia Watson, Ray Fearon, Rufus Jones, Howard Charles, Lee Boardman, and Richard Hope—deliver steady, if not spectacular, performances.

One of Cleaner‘s undeniable strengths lies in its cinematography. From the very first scene, where a young Joey climbs out of her house to sneak away, the camera pans upward, offering a breathtaking aerial view that sets a striking visual tone. The cinematography throughout the film remains sharp, capturing both the dizzying height of the skyscraper and the claustrophobic tension inside. The editing is tight, keeping the pace engaging, while the sound design elevates many key moments. Despite working within a moderate budget, the production design is meticulous and efficient.

Cleaner Movie Review:

Director Martin Campbell, known for his work in big-scale action films, makes an effort to differentiate Cleaner from Die Hard, but the shadow of that classic looms large. From start to finish, the comparisons are hard to avoid, especially for seasoned moviegoers. The resemblance is so strong that it almost becomes distracting, as the audience begins to anticipate familiar tropes before they even unfold on screen. That predictability dulls the tension and hurts the film’s originality. Still, Cleaner doesn’t end up being a dull film—it’s passable and watchable, especially as a one-time experience. In summary, Cleaner may be the modern, gender-flipped Die Hard that some might enjoy. If you’re up for an action film led by a woman with some decent stunts and a familiar premise, then it’s worth checking out. It’s now streaming on Lionsgate Play.