Daisy Ridley Breaks Down in Tears Over 'Cleaner' Sibling Bond, Teases Deeper Star Wars Involvement

Daisy Ridley Breaks Down on Set Over 'Cleaner' Sibling Bond

Daisy Ridley is no stranger to high-octane action, but her latest role in Martin Campbell's thriller Cleaner pushed her to a raw, emotional edge. The actress, best known for playing Rey in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, revealed she was reduced to tears while filming a pivotal scene involving her character's relationship with her brother.

“I was crying so much,” Ridley confessed, recalling a moment where her character, Joey, desperately hammers at a door while recounting the painful history between her and her brother Michael (Matthew Tuck). The scene forced Ridley to step away from set, overwhelmed by the tragic backstory of two siblings navigating a fractured past.

The Heart of 'Cleaner': A Sister's Sacrifice

In Cleaner, Ridley plays an ex-soldier turned window cleaner who witnesses a deadly hostage situation at a major London energy company. But the film’s true emotional core lies in the brother-sister bond between Joey and Michael. Michael, who is neurodivergent, has been kicked out of yet another care home, forcing Joey to become his caretaker once again.

Ridley emphasized the complexity of the dynamic. “She’s 30 in the caretaker position, but she doesn’t know what it’s like to be Michael,” she said. “There’s so much nuance, so much love, and so much hope.” The actress noted that Joey is deeply flawed, often trying to make up for past neglect, and that her ultimate realization—that nothing is more important than her brother—drives the entire narrative.

The film explores a growing real-world conversation: younger adults stepping into caregiving roles for siblings with disabilities. Ridley hopes audiences see the layers of guilt, love, and responsibility that define Joey’s journey. “All Joey can do when everything starts going wrong is try her best,” she explained. “It becomes clear that nothing is more important than her brother, and she has been putting that off for so long.”

Music as a Window into Joey’s World

To get into the headspace of her tough yet vulnerable character, Ridley turned to rock music. She listened to an English rock band whose name appeared on Joey’s T-shirt—though jet lag momentarily fogged her memory during the interview. “I listened to them a lot to get that rocky feeling,” she said.

But surprisingly, Ridley admitted that building a character playlist isn’t her usual method. “Other actors talk about it so wonderfully, and I appreciate that, but for me, it’s more about mood,” she shared. “I do all my preparation first, then I like to come to set feeling as great as possible. In hair and makeup, that’s when I really set the tone for the day—so often, it’s not character-related, it’s mood-related.”

She also revealed a quirky morning ritual: listening to Shawn Mendes to pump herself up before tackling physically and emotionally grueling shoots. The honesty adds a relatable, human touch to Ridley’s creative process.

Daisy Ridley’s Expanding Role in the Next Star Wars Movie

Of course, no interview with Daisy Ridley is complete without Star Wars. But rather than dodging questions, Ridley offered new details about her involvement in the upcoming film. While she clarified she wouldn’t be a producer, she revealed she is now “very involved” in the story’s development—far more than during the sequel trilogy.

“I know the story. I know what’s going on with the script,” she said, describing the collaborative process. “What’s been wonderful over the last few years is being more involved from start to finish. I’m looking forward to arriving at set knowing the absolute best way to tell this story.”

This marks a significant shift from her earlier experience, where Ridley felt less informed about Rey’s arc until late in production. Now, she’s helping shape the narrative for the character’s next chapter, which Lucasfilm has confirmed will be set 15 years after The Rise of Skywalker.

What We Know So Far About the Next Star Wars Film

• Directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, the film is set to explore Rey’s role in rebuilding the Jedi Order.
• Ridley has read multiple drafts and is actively involved in script revisions.
• The story is expected to introduce new characters while addressing unresolved threads from the sequel trilogy.

Ridley’s deeper creative involvement mirrors her recent producing roles on indie projects, demonstrating a desire to have more agency over the stories she tells. “Having that confidence is so lovely,” she reflected. “I’m much more cognizant now of what the journey has been, and we’re arriving at the best place to tell this particular story.”

The Full 'Cleaner' Experience: Action Meets Emotion

In Cleaner, Ridley stars alongside Taz Skylar, Clive Owen, and Matthew Tuck in a tense hostage thriller directed by Martin Campbell (Casino Royale, GoldenEye). While the high-wire action sequences are a major draw, the film’s emotional weight rests squarely on Ridley’s shoulders. Her portrayal of a woman torn between duty, guilt, and love for her brother brings a grounded humanity to the chaos.

Ridley described the physical and emotional toll of the role. “I would often wake up super tired physically and emotionally because it was quite taxing,” she admitted. Yet she remains proud of the result, emphasizing that the sibling relationship is the film’s lifeblood. “There’s something very real about how she keeps trying, even when it seems hopeless.”

The film is released in theaters on February 21, 2025, and early buzz suggests Ridley’s performance could be one of her most acclaimed post-Star Wars roles. As documented in Screenshot (550).png, the actress’s candid reflections on crying during the scene reveal just how deeply she connected with the material.

Background: Daisy Ridley’s Post-Star Wars Evolution

Since the sequel trilogy concluded, Ridley has deliberately avoided being typecast. She’s starred in period dramas like The Last Post, psychological thrillers such as Sometimes I Think About Dying, and now the action-thriller Cleaner. This career diversification shows her range while keeping her grounded in character-driven stories.

Ridley’s decision to take on projects with strong emotional cores—like the caregiving narrative in Cleaner—reflects a broader trend in Hollywood where actors seek roles that resonate with real-world issues. The conversation around adult siblings caring for neurodivergent brothers or sisters is timely, and Ridley hopes the film starts a dialogue. “I’ve spoken to a few people who have that dynamic,” she revealed. “I really wanted to honor that between siblings.”

As Ridley gears up for both the theatrical release and her return to a galaxy far, far away, one thing is clear: she’s no longer just a star—she’s a storyteller shaping her own narrative.

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