Renny Harlin's 'Cleaner' is a tidy, if predictable, thriller that is about as exciting as a sink full of dirty dishes. Sure, you'll eventually get through it — and you'll probably feel better once you do — but you know the outcome before you even get started.

Tom Cutler (Samuel L Jackson) is a retired detective who now works as a crime scene cleaner. Doing what no one else wants to do, Cutler makes a decent living cleaning up the blood, body parts and memories left behind at crime scenes.

After unwittingly cleaning an unauthorised crime scene, Cutler is plunged back into the dark world of politics and corruption he tried so desperately to leave behind. The crime scene in question contained evidence relating to the murder of a police whistle-blower. And now Culter is the prime suspect. His only hope of escaping the ordeal unscathed is to solve the murder himself.

Along the way he meets the victim's beautiful wife Ann Norcut (Eva Mendes) and enlists the help of his former partner Eddie Lorenzo (Ed Harris). But Culter's quest for justice is hampered by his own dark past and misplaced loyalties.

The stellar cast, which also includes Luis Guzman and Keke Palmer, is wasted on this plodding foray into the world of the unspeakable. While none of the performances are bad, only Palmer brings something fresh and invigorating to the stale script.

Your time would be better spent on those dishes.