Daisy Ridley’s Action Packed Role in Cleaner: A Thrilling High Stakes Adventure

Daisy Ridley, best known for her role in Star Wars, is set to take on an exciting new challenge in the upcoming action-thriller Cleaner. Directed by Martin Campbell, the visionary behind iconic James Bond films like Casino Royale and GoldenEye, Cleaner promises to be a heart-pounding cinematic experience that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

In Cleaner, Ridley plays Joey Locke, an ex-soldier turned window cleaner with a very unique set of skills. Her job is already tough, scaling the side of London’s tallest skyscraper the Shard but things take a dramatic turn when a group of radical activists hijacks an energy company’s annual gala, holding 300 hostages. This isn’t just your typical heist; the activists have a righteous cause: exposing corruption within the energy company. However, their mission goes off the rails when an extremist within the group seizes control, threatening to kill everyone in the building. It’s up to Joey to not only save the hostages but also bring the corrupt moguls responsible for the injustice to their knees.

Let’s dive into what makes Cleaner a thrilling must-watch, and why Daisy Ridley’s portrayal of Joey Locke could be her most intense role yet.

A Unique Setting: The Shard Becomes a Battleground

What makes Cleaner stand out is its use of London’s iconic Shard skyscraper. As one of the tallest buildings in Europe, the Shard’s sheer height and architectural brilliance offer a terrifying and exhilarating backdrop for this high-stakes hostage situation. With much of the action taking place hundreds of feet above the city, Joey Locke’s expertise as a window cleaner is put to the ultimate test.

Imagine being suspended 90 stories in the air, with only ropes and pulleys keeping you from a deadly fall. Now add gun-toting extremists, hostages, and a ticking clock into the mix. The film’s director, Martin Campbell, aims to create a stomach-churning, vertigo-inducing experience for the audience. You’ll feel like you’re right there with Joey as she faces the harrowing task of scaling the glass-covered façade to take down the terrorists, all while battling her own fears and the elements.

Campbell’s goal is to make you feel the danger and height, turning the Shard into a character itself a relentless adversary Joey must conquer to save the day.

Joey Locke: More Than Just an Action Hero

Joey Locke isn’t your run of the mill action hero. She’s a former soldier with combat experience but now lives a quieter life as a window cleaner until fate thrusts her into an impossible situation. What makes Joey compelling isn’t just her physical strength or ability to fight off terrorists, but her resilience and quick thinking under pressure.

Daisy Ridley has proven herself to be a powerhouse performer, and in Cleaner, she brings a depth and nuance to Joey that makes the character more relatable. Joey is a woman who’s trying to distance herself from her past as a soldier, yet those skills are the very thing that will help her survive and save others. She’s tough, but she’s also vulnerable, dealing with personal demons while risking her life to save hundreds of strangers.

The emotional core of the film lies in Joey’s struggle to reconcile her past with her present. She’s not just fighting for survival; she’s fighting for redemption, and that internal conflict is what sets her apart from other action movie protagonists.

The Villains: Not Your Typical Terrorists

At the heart of Cleaner is a group of radical activists who take over the Shard to expose corruption within an energy company. Their mission, while illegal, initially has a moral basis they want to reveal the unethical practices of the company hosting the gala. However, things spiral out of control when a zealot within the group hijacks their cause, turning a protest into a deadly hostage situation.

This shift in the story adds layers of complexity. The activists aren’t just mindless villains; they are initially portrayed as people fighting for what they believe is right. But when one of them takes it too far, it becomes a battle of ideologies, with innocent lives hanging in the balance.

This nuanced portrayal of the antagonists makes Cleaner more than just an action-thriller. It’s also a commentary on extremism and how noble causes can be corrupted by radical elements. The film forces viewers to question where the line is drawn between activism and terrorism.

A Director Who Knows How to Deliver Thrills

If there’s anyone who knows how to create an action-packed, edge of your seat thriller, it’s Martin Campbell. His work on Casino Royale and GoldenEye revitalized the James Bond franchise, and he brings that same expertise to Cleaner. Campbell is known for crafting tense, visually stunning action sequences, and Cleaner is no exception.

In a statement about the film, Campbell emphasized that he wants the audience to feel like they’re right up there with Joey, experiencing the dizzying heights and life-or-death stakes. Expect sweeping shots of the London skyline, heart-pounding fight scenes, and plenty of moments that will make your palms sweat. Campbell’s knack for blending action with character-driven stories is sure to make Cleaner stand out in a crowded field of thrillers.

Production and What’s Next for Daisy Ridle

Cleaner is set to begin production in late summer 2023, though it’s still unclear whether the actual Shard will be used for filming. With modern technology and CGI, it’s likely that a combination of on-location shooting and green screen effects will be employed to create the illusion of Joey scaling the massive structure.

For Daisy Ridley, Cleaner marks another significant step in her post-Star Wars career. After rising to fame as Rey in the beloved sci-fi franchise, Ridley has been selective with her roles, choosing projects that allow her to showcase her range as an actress. Cleaner is a departure from the fantasy world of Star Wars, but it’s a role that lets Ridley flex her action chops while also diving into a more grounded, gritty narrative.

Fans of Ridley will no doubt be excited to see her in such a physically demanding and emotionally charged role. With Campbell at the helm and a gripping story, Cleaner has all the ingredients to be a hit.

Why Cleaner is a Must-Watch

With a unique setting, a strong female lead, and a timely story about activism gone wrong, Cleaner has all the makings of a thrilling blockbuster. Daisy Ridley’s portrayal of Joey Locke is sure to resonate with audiences, combining physical prowess with emotional depth in a way that’s rare for action films.

Martin Campbell’s vision for the film creating a “vertiginous experience” for viewers suggests that Cleaner won’t just be another run-of-the-mill action flick. It’s going to be a visceral, heart-pounding ride that will leave audiences gasping for air. Whether you’re a fan of Daisy Ridley, love high stakes thrillers, or just want to see a unique take on the action genre, Cleaner is a film you won’t want to miss.

So buckle up, because Cleaner is set to take you on a wild, pulse-pounding journey high above the streets of London. Will Joey Locke save the hostages? Will she bring the corrupt moguls to justice? There’s only one way to find out watch Cleaner when it hits theatres.