Credit: Netflix

Netflix viewers, as usual, have dug up an ancient but brilliant movie, and it is surprisingly being watched worldwide. Yes, people, the 2007 Samuel L. Jackson starrer Cleaner is trending at number seven on Netflix, and that too globally. Not bad for a film that’s nearly 20 years old, right?

What’s even more surprising is that Cleaner wasn’t exactly a massive hit when it first released in cinemas. In fact, it struggled at the box office and almost disappeared from the conversation. Fast forward to 2026, and people are discovering it all over again. Funny how that works sometimes, isn’t it?

The film follows Tom Cutler, played by Samuel L. Jackson, a former police officer who now runs a rather unusual business. His job? Cleaning up crime scenes after the police have finished their investigations. Sounds straightforward enough, doesn’t it? Well, not for long.

Things take a turn when Tom is hired to clean a mansion where a murder has apparently taken place. The problem is that when he returns to the house later, the owner has absolutely no idea what he is talking about. No crime. No investigation. Nothing. You can probably see where this is heading. Before long, Tom realises he has been caught up in something far bigger than a routine clean-up job. Suddenly, he is dealing with missing evidence and police corruption. Talk about having a bad day at work.

One of the reasons Cleaner is trending now might be how people have recognised the central idea really well now. Most crime thrillers focus on detectives hunting down killers. This one focuses more on the bloke who arrives after everyone is gone home and scrubs away the evidence. It is such a simple idea, but it is also what makes the film stand out from dozens of similar thrillers.

Then you’ve got the cast. Samuel L. Jackson is, well, Samuel L. Jackson. The man has been stealing scenes for decades and remains one of Hollywood’s most reliable screen presences. What’s interesting here, though, is that he is a bit more restrained than usual. If you’re expecting constant shouting and one-liners, you might be surprised. His performance is much quieter here.

He is joined by Ed Harris, who plays Tom’s former police partner, while Eva Mendes appears as Ann Norcut, the homeowner whose house becomes the centre of the mystery. There is also a young Keke Palmer in one of her earlier film roles. All in all, a solid cast.

Perhaps the most fascinating bit of trivia is just how poorly the film performed when it was originally released. Despite having major stars and an experienced director in Renny Harlin, Cleaner reportedly earned only around $5.8 million worldwide. Are you serious? That’s hard to believe given that it’s trending globally after 20 years.

Maybe it’s the intriguing premise. Maybe it’s Samuel L. Jackson’s star power. Or maybe people are just in the mood for a good old-fashioned conspiracy thriller. Whatever the reason, Cleaner is proof that some films just need a second chance.