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.
Contents
Cast
King Orba as Buck Enderly
Shelley Long as Sharon Enderly
Faust Checho as Craig Enderley
Eden Brolin as Becky
Shiloh Fernandez as Andrew Briggs
Luke Wilson as Jim Russell
Lynda Carter as Carlene Briggs
Soleil Moon Frye as Kristi
Noel Gugliemi as Hector
M. C. Gainey as Doug
Mike Starr as Carl
Milena Govich as Vanessa
Heather McComb as Laura Russell
Matty Cardarople as Donny
Oliver Cooper as Busboy
James Paxton as James
Hopper Penn as Trent
Plot
Buck Enderley lives in an area of lower socio-economic housing in Los Angeles with his elderly and frail mother. Their home consists of a cabin for his mother and a stationary RV parked adjacent to the cabin, which Buck sleeps in.
Buck is a former car salesman who now makes a basic income as a house cleaner for wealthy residents in the surrounding suburbs.
Although Buck had initially purchased his RV to undertake road trips across America, he never drives the vehicle and instead uses it as a form of accommodation while utilising a bicycle for his transportation needs.
His brother, Craig Enderley, is a local police officer.
Struggling with the cost of living, Buck is apprehended when he attempts to shoplift from a pharmacy while obtaining medication for his mother.
By chance, Buck's brother, Craig Enderley, is the police officer assigned to speak to Buck about the theft. Craig drives Buck away from the pharmacy but releases him, stating that the owner of the store does not wish to press charges.
Concerned about his finances, Buck revisits the car yard where he had worked as a salesman, but the owner is reluctant to re-hire him.
Buck receives a further blow when he visits the house of a client who informs Buck that he no longer requires Buck’s cleaning services. He lets Buck down gently and suggests that a nearby neighbour, a singer named Carlene Briggs, may require a house cleaner.
Buck pays Carlene a visit, where he notices that her house is spotlessly clean. When he suggests that she may not require the services of a cleaner, Carlene confides that what she really needs is someone to track down her missing son, Andrew.
Carlene explains that in the past Andrew would visit her when he needed financial help, but she informs Buck that she has not seen her son for some time.
Release
On August 12, 2021, it was announced that 1091 Pictures acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film. It was released on digital and on demand on October 12, 2021.
Reception
Critical response
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 83% of 6 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.3/10.
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." 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." Dennis Schwartz gave the film a grade of B−, calling it "a knucklehead indie noir that's not too good but avoids being bad."
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."