My quick rating – 5.5/10. Die Hard meets Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning in Cleaner, a high-altitude action thriller that delivers solid fight choreography and well-filmed sequences but struggles to elevate itself beyond standard popcorn fare.
Daisy Ridley stars as Joey, an ex-soldier-turned-window-cleaner who finds herself in an impossible situation, suspended 50 storeys (before you spellcheck, that is the British spelling 😉 up outside a London skyscraper when a group of radical activists storm an energy company’s gala, taking 300 hostages, including her younger, autistic brother. What follows is a race against time as Joey battles both the terrorists and the unforgiving elements, scaling the building in a desperate bid to save those trapped inside.
Ridley commits fully to the physical demands of the role, and the action sequences are crisp, well-choreographed, and engaging. The setup is refreshing in that it flips the usual Die Hard-style formula, keeping Joey on the outside looking in, which leads to some tense, vertigo-inducing stunts. However, where Cleaner falters is in its character development and storytelling. Joey’s personal stakes, particularly the sibling dynamic meant to drive her motivation, feel undercooked, making it difficult to form a strong emotional connection.
Clive Owen, unfortunately, is given little to do, a disappointing waste of talent in what could have been a memorable supporting role. The villains are serviceable but lack the depth to be truly compelling, and the film doesn’t offer much in terms of originality beyond its unique premise.
That said, if you go in expecting a straightforward action flick, Cleaner delivers enough entertainment to be worth a watch. It’s a well-executed but ultimately forgettable thriller that does just enough to keep you engaged—nothing more, nothing less.
Amazon, along with these streamers have this for theater-at-home pricing (03.29.25)