Our take
Cleaner is an action thriller about a window washer trying to save hostages during a skyscraper siege. Expect frequent f-word dialogue, gun battles, on-screen killings, high-altitude peril, and a dialogue reference to rape in a corporate corruption subplot. The tone is tense and violent throughout. Best for mature teens only
Uplifting themes
Protecting innocents and exposing corruption motivate the hero Joanna risks her life to save hostages and her brother
Story (may spoil tone)
When a group of radical activists take over an energy company's annual gala, seizing 300 hostages, an ex-soldier turned window cleaner suspended 50 storeys up on the outside of the building must save those trapped inside, including her older brother.
What we flagged
Scores are 0–5: 0 means none; 5 means the strongest we flagged in that category.
Details
Violence Hostage siege gunfights, executions, and references to murdered activis…
Hostage siege gunfights, executions, and references to murdered activists
Language Near-constant f-word, s-word, b-word phrase, and insults under crisis s…
Near-constant f-word, s-word, b-word phrase, and insults under crisis stress
Sex / nudity Song lyrics mention undressing; no explicit nudity or sex scenes noted
Song lyrics mention undressing; no explicit nudity or sex scenes noted
Drugs / alcohol Brief smoking reference in dialogue during the gala
Brief smoking reference in dialogue during the gala
Frightening Hostage panic, heights, explosions, and sudden shootings sustain intens…
Hostage panic, heights, explosions, and sudden shootings sustain intense dread
Self-harm / suicide No self-harm found in this title
No self-harm found in this title
Sexual violence Rape is referenced in dialogue about corporate wrongdoing; not shown on…
Rape is referenced in dialogue about corporate wrongdoing; not shown on screen
Child peril / abuse No child peril found in this title
No child peril found in this title
Bullying / discrimination Brief bully insult during a confrontation; not a major theme
Brief bully insult during a confrontation; not a major theme
Gore / death / weapons Gun standoffs, graphic gut references, and multiple shooting deaths
Gun standoffs, graphic gut references, and multiple shooting deaths
Dangerous behaviour Window-washing stunts hundreds of feet up are shown as heroic but extre…
Window-washing stunts hundreds of feet up are shown as heroic but extremely risky
Eating disorders / body image No eating found in this title
No eating found in this title
Mental health PTSD and military trauma hints appear in the lead's backstory
PTSD and military trauma hints appear in the lead's backstory
Gambling No gambling found in this title
No gambling found in this title
Grief / bereavement Murdered allies and a brother in peril drive the rescue mission
Murdered allies and a brother in peril drive the rescue mission
Talk after watching
- Joanna uses skills from military service to protect civilians. How do movies portray veterans differently from real life?
- Activist hostage plots raise ethics questions. Can you disagree with a cause but still reject violence?