Shocking Scene in Cleaner on HBO Max: A Review

alk about a curveball!

I can’t believe I missed out on watching Cleaner when it first came out in 2025. As a fan of new action movies, it’s surprising that I overlooked it, especially considering it was directed by Martin Campbell, the mastermind behind two of my favorite James Bond films. But thanks to my HBO Max subscription, I finally got around to watching this Daisy Ridley-led thriller about eco-terrorists taking over a London skyscraper. While I had some issues with the film overall, there was one scene that truly caught me off guard and I can’t stop thinking about it.

Let me dive into the details and give you the scoop, but fair warning, major spoilers ahead!

Picture this: just 40 minutes into the movie, Marcus Blake (played by Clive Owen), the leader of the group Earth Revolution, is unexpectedly shot and killed by one of his comrades, Noah Santos (played by Taz Skylar). Now, this move took me by surprise because Clive Owen was all over the promotional material, and having the main villain meet his demise so early on was a bold move. It reminded me of that feeling in Inside Man where you think Owen’s character will steal the show, only to be taken out of the picture just as we’re getting to know him.

I had to double-check that I saw it right. I had to rewind the scene to make sure I wasn’t mistaken. Killing off the main antagonist before the halfway point of the movie? That’s a risky move, but it worked. It added a layer of complexity to Noah’s character and kept me on the edge of my seat. Plus, his betrayal of Daisy Ridley’s character Joanna Locke just added to his villainous aura. Farewell, Clive Owen, you will be missed.

While Cleaner may not be Clive Owen’s standout film, that unexpected twist sure made an impression. The heart-pounding action and Ridley’s strong performance were standout elements, even if the pacing felt a bit off at times. Despite its flaws, that surprising twist elevated the movie and kept me hooked. After that moment, I was on the edge of my seat, wondering what other surprises were in store.

In the end, Cleaner may not be a masterpiece, but that twist certainly livened things up. It’s a decent action flick with an unexpected turn that adds a whole new layer of intrigue. Who knows, maybe another unexpected twist is waiting around the corner. The world of cinema is full of surprises, and Cleaner is no exception.