The Cleaner (2021 film)

The Cleaner
Directed byErin Elders
Written by
  • Erin Elders
  • King Orba
Produced by
  • John W. Bosher
  • Chris Charles
  • Faust Checho
  • Kate Grady
Starring
CinematographyJeff Tomcho
Edited byMatthew Prekop
Music byBrad Oberhofer
Production
companies
  • Throughline Films
  • September Club
Distributed by1091 Pictures
Release date
  • October 12, 2021 (2021-10-12)
Running time
93 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The Cleaner is a 2021 American crime drama film directed by Erin Elders (in his feature directorial debut), who co-wrote the screenplay with King Orba. It stars Orba in the title role, with Shelley Long, Eden Brolin, Shiloh Fernandez, Luke Wilson, and Lynda Carter in supporting roles. It follows a middle-aged house cleaner who gets caught up in a violent crime after being hired to locate a client's estranged son.

Cast

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Release

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On August 12, 2021, it was announced that 1091 Pictures acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film.[1] It was released on digital and on demand on October 12, 2021.[2][3]

Reception

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Critical response

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 83% of 6 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.3/10.[4]

Brian Costello of Common Sense Media gave the film 4 stars out of 5 and stated, "The Cleaner reveals once again that solid acting, relatable characters, and a good story can do so much more on a limited budget than a blockbuster movie with a weak story and cliched characters."[5] Roger Moore of Movie Nation gave it 2.5 stars out of 4 and wrote, "It's not a polished jewel, but even in the rough The Cleaner shines, more proof that you don't need to limit yourself to horror to get your first film made."[6] Dennis Schwartz gave the film a grade of B−, calling it "a knucklehead indie noir that's not too good but avoids being bad."[7]

On the other hand, Carla Hay of Culture Mix gave The Cleaner a negative review, describing it as "a ridiculous mess of a story with terrible dialogue, lousy acting and uneven pacing." Hay also noted that "the ending is so cliché" and "it's not enough to cover up all the loose ends and unnecessary scenes that make the movie an insufferable, tangled mess."[8]

References

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  1. ^ Vlessing, Etan (August 12, 2021). "1091 Pictures Acquires Erin Elders' Crime Drama 'The Cleaner' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  2. ^ Lane, Carly (September 14, 2021). "Exclusive: 'The Cleaner' Trailer Reveals a Gripping Crime Drama Starring King Orba, Luke Wilson, and Lynda Carter". Collider. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  3. ^ Sanders, Hosea; Jordan, Marsha (October 23, 2021). "Chicago filmmaker behind 'The Cleaner,' starring Lynda Carter, Luke Wilson, Shelley Long". ABC7 Chicago. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  4. ^ "The Cleaner". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  5. ^ Costello, Brian (October 12, 2021). "The Cleaner Movie Review". Common Sense Media. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  6. ^ Moore, Roger (October 13, 2021). "Movie Review: A missing son, a kid gone wrong and "The Cleaner" is sent to find him". Movie Nation. Archived from the original on August 28, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  7. ^ Schwartz, Dennis (October 21, 2021). "CLEANER, THE". Dennis Schwartz Reviews. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  8. ^ Hay, Carla (December 30, 2021). "Review: 'The Cleaner' (2021)". Culture Mix. Archived from the original on May 28, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
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