Tag: Riz Ahmed

Film Review: “Relay”

Ahmed best reason to see predictable corporate thriller

Ash (Riz Ahmed) watches his back.

In a brief scene in the new film Relay, its star, Riz Ahmed, gets a chance to use the sign language skills he picked up in his 2020 Oscar-nominated performance in Sound of Metal. That’s a cool throwback for Ahmed fans, and, given his exceptional talent (see also Encounter,  Nightcrawler, and HBO’s series The Night Of), he no doubt has many. But his fans may be disappointed in Relay, a serviceable corporate espionage thriller in which Ahmed’s performance is the only bright spot. Continue reading “Film Review: “Relay””

Film Review: “Encounter”

Ahmed’s performance anchors tense, imperfect drama

Malik (Riz Ahmed, center) prepares his sons Jay (Lucian-River Chauhan, l.) and Bobby (Aditya Geddada) for an alien threat.

First, a heads up about the new movie Encounter: it is *not* a sci-fi movie. Despite the title, trailer, and marketing copy all seemingly indicating that’s what we’re in for, the film’s publicity team has done a bait and switch. So if you’re a huge sci-fi fan and think the trailer looks intriguing — as I did — know that instead what you’re getting with this picture is actually a serviceable psychological drama. I’ll also warn you that if you get stressed out by watching gross creepy insects and children in peril, this picture probably isn’t for you.

Continue reading “Film Review: “Encounter””