Cleaner

Year: 2008

Runtime: 88 min

Director: Renny Harlin

MysteryThrillerCrime

In a world where memories and evidence can be erased, former police officer Tom Cutler works as a "cleaner," meticulously removing traces of crime. Hired to sanitize a mansion after a brutal murder, Cutler’s instincts as an investigator are reawakened. He soon uncovers a web of deceit and corruption, realizing this job is far more dangerous than he initially believed and forcing him to confront a dark conspiracy.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Cleaner (2008)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Cleaner (2008). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Location

Tom's crime scene cleaning office, Ann Norcut's affluent residence, a hotel room, a morgue, Miguel's home

The film moves between Tom's professional workspace and the upscale homes and scenes where crimes unfold. It also visits a hotel room and a morgue, highlighting the aftereffects of violence. The settings contrast the routine business of cleaning with the dark undercurrents of corruption and deceit.

🏙️ Urban setting 🏠 Affluent residence 🧪 Forensic cleanup 🔎 Crime investigation

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:10

Main Characters – Cleaner (2008)

Meet the key characters of Cleaner (2008), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:10

Major Themes – Cleaner (2008)

Explore the central themes of Cleaner (2008), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:10

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Thrillers about uncovering conspiracy like Cleaner

A lone professional's routine job spirals into a life-threatening exposure of corruption.If you liked 'Cleaner,' explore more movies where a methodical investigator's routine assignment exposes a deadly conspiracy. These tense thrillers feature protagonists using their specialized skills to survive and expose the truth against overwhelming odds, delivering a steady pace of reveals and high stakes.

suspensefulparanoidmethodicaltensegriminvestigativecorruption

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically begins with a protagonist, often marked by a past trauma, accepting a specific, technical job. As they apply their methodical expertise, small inconsistencies snowball into undeniable evidence of a larger, sinister plot. The story becomes a cat-and-mouse game where the investigator, now a target, must use their unique knowledge to outmaneuver a corrupt and powerful organization.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread are united by the compelling arc of a skilled professional stumbling upon a truth too big to ignore. They share a steady, investigative pacing, a dark tone of paranoia and betrayal, and the high intensity of a lone individual facing a formidable, systemic enemy.

Noir thrillers with grieving heroes like Cleaner

Characters haunted by personal loss navigate a world of moral ambiguity and violence.Find movies similar to 'Cleaner' that feature protagonists shadowed by grief. These stories blend heavy emotional weight with tense, often criminal plots, creating a melancholic and suspenseful atmosphere where personal trauma drives the narrative forward amidst moral ambiguity.

melancholicgrievingtensegrimmorally ambiguoussuspensefulheavy

Narrative Summary

The protagonist's grief is a central motivator, making them isolated, vulnerable, yet uniquely determined. The external plot—a crime, a conspiracy, a mystery—often mirrors or reactivates their internal pain. The narrative explores the blurred lines between justice and vengeance, redemption and further despair, as the character's emotional burden directly influences their decisions in a high-stakes situation.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their dual focus on a tense, external thriller plot and a heavy, internal emotional journey. The shared experience is one of melancholic tension, where the action is underpinned by a consistent mood of sorrow and moral conflict, leading often to bittersweet or bleak resolutions.

Unlock the Full Story of Cleaner

Don't stop at just watching — explore Cleaner in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Cleaner is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Cleaner Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Cleaner, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Cleaner Timeline

Track the full timeline of Cleaner with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Cleaner Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Cleaner that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

More About Cleaner

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Cleaner: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

Similar Movies to Cleaner

Discover movies like Cleaner that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.