🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Les Mayfield
- Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime
- Release year: 2007
- Runtime (length): 1h 24min
- IMDb rating: 4.6/10 (12K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A janitor with amnesia thinks he’s Jason Bourne, but with more awkward dance moves and a suspiciously hot ‘wife’.
🍿 Code Name: The Cleaner: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Amnesia and a Mysterious Corpse
Jake Rodgers wakes up in a hotel room with no memory of who he is or how he got there. To make matters worse, he finds a dead FBI agent lying next to him and a suitcase containing $250,000. Overwhelmed and confused, Jake flees the scene, unsure of his identity or his next move. He is met by Diane, a glamorous woman who claims to be his wife, adding another layer of complexity to his amnesiac state. She takes him to a luxurious mansion, further fueling his confusion and raising questions about his true identity.

Discovering a Double Life?
As Jake tries to piece together his fragmented memories, he begins to experience flashbacks of himself as a skilled special ops agent. These visions lead him to believe he might be an undercover spy involved in a high-stakes government conspiracy. However, the reality is much different. He encounters Gina, a waitress who reveals that Jake actually works as a janitor at D.A.R.T., a technology corporation. This revelation throws his perceived reality into disarray, forcing him to confront the possibility that his spy fantasies are nothing more than elaborate delusions.

The Real Conspiracy Unfolds
The movie progresses with Jake attempting to unravel the truth behind the dead FBI agent and the money. He becomes entangled in a conspiracy involving a stolen microchip containing sensitive information, pursued by various factions who believe he holds the key to its location. Ultimately, Jake discovers he is not a spy, but an avid video game player with an overactive imagination, whose knowledge of the company he cleans makes him a useful pawn.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Jake Rodgers (Cedric The Entertainer): An amnesiac who wakes up next to a dead body and is unsure if he’s a spy or a janitor.
- Gina (Lucy Liu): Jake’s girlfriend and a seemingly ordinary waitress who knows more than she lets on.
- Diane (Nicollette Sheridan): A mysterious and alluring woman who claims to be Jake’s wife but has ulterior motives.
- Eric Hauck (Mark Dacascos): A skilled fighter and one of the main antagonists pursuing Jake for a valuable computer chip.
- Shaw (Callum Keith Rennie): An involved character, with suspicious behavior.
- Riley (Will Patton): An agent looking for Jake for unknown reasons.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Jake Rodgers: “I have a hot white wife?” – Jake’s surprised reaction upon meeting Diane and being told they are married.
- Jake Rodgers: “Have you never heard of Dutch Chocolate? Ricola!” – Jake tries to pass himself off as Dutch when questioned by the Hotel Receptionist.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $20,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $8,135,024
- Worldwide Gross: $10,337,477
💥 Code Name: The Cleaner Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I went into this movie expecting a laugh riot, but it was more of a ‘chuckle here and there’ kind of thing. Cedric the Entertainer is always good for a few laughs, but the plot was just all over the place. I did enjoy the scenes with Lucy Liu kicking butt, though! It definitely had that 2000s vibe, but honestly, it’s not something I’d watch again anytime soon. Maybe if it’s on TV late at night and there’s nothing else on?
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Cedric the Entertainer”
- “Viewers looking for a lighthearted, undemanding comedy”
- “Those who enjoy spy spoofs with a comedic twist”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Some violence and action sequences”
- “Mild suggestive content and partial nudity”
- “Crude humor”
Professional Reviews
- IMDb Critic: “Code Name: The Cleaner tries to blend action and comedy but mostly misses the mark. Cedric the Entertainer brings his usual charm, but the script is weak and predictable. The fight scenes are okay, but the humor falls flat, leaving you wanting more.
- Rotten Tomatoes: “A bland mix of spy spoof and action, Code Name: The Cleaner squanders its talented cast on a forgettable plot. The jokes are stale, and the action sequences are generic, resulting in a movie that’s neither funny nor thrilling.
- AllMovie: “This spy comedy is a waste of talent, with Cedric the Entertainer struggling to elevate a lackluster script. Lucy Liu and Nicollette Sheridan add some appeal, but the film’s inconsistent tone and predictable plot make it a chore to sit through.
Audience Reactions
Fans appreciated the comedic timing of Cedric the Entertainer, even when the script was weak.: Many viewers enjoyed the nostalgic early 2000s feel of the movie.
Some viewers felt the action scenes were surprisingly well-done, especially those involving Lucy Liu.: The film provided some light-hearted entertainment and a few good laughs.
Overall Consensus: Code Name: The Cleaner is a passable action-comedy with some laughs, but it suffers from a weak plot and inconsistent humor. Most enjoyable as a nostalgic viewing experience.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Elizabeth Hurley was originally cast as Diane, but was later replaced by Nicollette Sheridan.”
- “The film was shot in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.”
- “Despite being a comedy, the film features some intense action sequences, requiring the actors to perform various stunts and fight choreography.”
🖥️ How to Watch Code Name: The Cleaner?
Currently, ‘Code Name: The Cleaner’ is available for rent or purchase on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable or satellite availability. Unfortunately, it is not currently streaming on any major subscription services.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Code Name: The Cleaner, you might like these similar films:
- Blue Streak (1999): Another comedy about an unlikely person pretending to be someone they’re not to get out of trouble.
- Undercover Brother (2002): Both movies blend comedy with spy action, featuring a lead character who is out of his element.
- True Memoirs of an International Assassin (2016): A comedic action film involving mistaken identity and espionage, where a regular person is mistaken for a skilled assassin.
🛒 Code Name: The Cleaner Related Products
- Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle [Blu-ray]: Relive Lucy Liu’s action prowess in Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle. A high-octane action film with amazing fight choreography.
- Barbershop [DVD]: Barbershop features Cedric the Entertainer’s best performance. A hilarious and heartfelt comedy about community and heritage.
- Desperate Housewives: The Complete Series [DVD]: Enjoy Nicollette Sheridan in Desperate Housewives. Full of drama, humor, and intrigue in the lives of suburban women.
- True Lies [Blu-Ray]: Experience action-comedy by James Cameron, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis. A secret agent leads a double life.
🎧 Soundtrack
Code Name: The Cleaner features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
‘Code Name: The Cleaner’ is primarily a comedy with elements of action and espionage. It leans heavily on humor and slapstick.
The main actors are Cedric the Entertainer, Lucy Liu, and Nicollette Sheridan.
The plot revolves around an amnesiac who wakes up next to a dead body and must unravel a conspiracy to clear his name and discover his true identity.
🔥 Bonus Content
D-Ray – All about Doo Doo (part 2)
Remember the ‘Doo Doo’ scene? This extended clip is even funnier than you remember! Honestly, I still laugh every time I watch it.
The Strange Liquid | mystery recapped | movie recap | Recap rave #shorts #movierecap #filmrecap
Need a quick refresher on the movie’s plot? This short recap video has you covered! It’s a great way to jog your memory before a rewatch.
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