Stepping into the world of high-stakes espionage, James Hawes’ "The Amateur" (2025), which premiered in theaters on April 11th via 20th Century Studios, delivers a compelling and surprisingly intimate spy thriller. Scripted by Ken Nolan and Gary Spinelli, this film immediately establishes its unique tone, centered on Charlie Heller, a brilliant CIA cryptographer portrayed with captivating intensity by Oscar winner Rami Malek. His seemingly perfect life with his wife, Sarah (Rachel Brosnahan ), is shattered when she is tragically killed in a London terrorist attack. Consumed by grief and a desperate need for vengeance, Charlie blackmails his own agency after uncovering a disturbing cover-up, demanding the resources and training to hunt down his wife's killers himself. This premise alone sets the stage for a "spy drama" that diverges sharply from typical blockbuster fare, grounding itself in the raw emotion of its protagonist's journey.
Genre:Action, Thriller
Rami Malek’s performance as Charlie Heller is, without a doubt, the linchpin of "The Amateur." He masterfully embodies the "introverted and quiet" nature of a CIA decoder, yet conveys a simmering intensity beneath the surface. Charlie is no hardened field agent; he's a "gun-shy" computer nerd, and Malek sells this fish-out-of-water scenario with a remarkable degree of authenticity. His "off-the-charts IQ, penchant for IED bomb making, and predictive analysis intellect" become his primary weapons, turning the film into a fascinating "brains over brawn" exercise. Malek's ability to express "depth and clarity with only a subtle change in expression" is truly impressive, ensuring that Charlie Heller is a character you genuinely root for, even as his methods become increasingly unorthodox. The film wisely spends time on Charlie's grief and "trauma-induced flashbacks" of Sarah, which, while using the "dead wife trope," manages to offer "plenty more than the usual setup of a man hulking out over a woman's death".
The plot, while at times "deeply far-fetched", is meticulously constructed, tracking Charlie's relentless pursuit of the four assailants responsible for Sarah's death: Mishka Blazhic, Ellish, Gretchen Frank, and Horst Schiller. His journey takes him across Europe, from Paris to Istanbul, Madrid, and even Romania, culminating in a confrontation aboard Schiller's ship on the Baltic Sea. Director James Hawes, known for "Slow Horses," brings a "handsomely and competently directed" touch to the narrative. The pacing is taut, keeping you on the edge of your seat, even during moments of quieter tension. One particular scene that stands out involves Charlie attempting to pick a lock in Paris while following a YouTube tutorial, with assassins closing in. It’s a moment that, despite its inherent absurdity, works due to its genuine suspense and Charlie’s sheer desperation.
"The Amateur" deftly navigates the murky waters of espionage, exposing the "conflicting internal agendas" within the CIA itself. Charlie's discovery of his boss, Alex Moore (Holt McCallany ), disguising "politically-motivated drone strikes as suicide bombings" is a crucial element that adds a layer of cynicism to the agency's operations. This moral ambiguity is refreshing, moving beyond clear-cut hero-villain dynamics. Laurence Fishburne as Henderson, the "grizzly retired colonel" tasked with training Charlie, provides a strong presence, effectively conveying the challenges of turning a cryptographer into a killer. While some supporting roles, like those of Adrian Martinez and Jon Bernthal, feel somewhat underutilized, Caitríona Balfe as the mysterious CIA contact Inquiline is compelling, playing a pivotal role in Charlie's mission.
The film’s strength lies in its commitment to a grounded, cerebral approach to the spy genre. It’s not about outlandish stunts or explosions at every turn, though there are certainly moments of intense action, such as Charlie's ingenious elimination of Blazhic in a Madrid hotel pool or his explosive trap for Ellish in Romania. Instead, it prioritizes Charlie’s intellect and resourcefulness. The "taut direction and crisp editing" ensure that even the most improbable scenarios are presented with enough conviction to maintain suspension of disbelief. The decision to film "on location throughout the UK" adds a welcome sense of scale and authenticity, making the world feel lived-in and real.
While "The Amateur" excels in many areas, there are a few minor critiques. The plot can occasionally feel "muddled" or "haphazard", with some narrative threads not quite coalescing into a perfectly cohesive whole. The ending, while satisfying in its resolution of Charlie's vendetta against Schiller, also felt "oddly unsatisfying" in some regards, perhaps leaving a desire for a more definitive conclusion for other characters. And while the film is generally "smarter and sharper than most mainstream moves", some might find Charlie's transformation from "computer nerd" to "Bourne-style assassin" a stretch too far, even with the emphasis on his intelligence.
Overall, "The Amateur" (2025) stands as a commendable entry in the spy thriller genre. It's a "solid little drama made for adults" that truly "looks and feels like a proper movie", a refreshing change in an era where many such stories are relegated to television. Rami Malek’s captivating performance, combined with Hawes' skillful direction and a well-crafted screenplay, creates an engaging and intelligent "revenge drama" that resonated with me long after the credits rolled. It demonstrates that a compelling spy story doesn't always need super-agents or explosive spectacles; sometimes, the "power of the little guy" and the sheer force of intellect are more than enough to save the day and deliver a truly memorable cinematic experience. This "The Amateur movie" is absolutely worth catching on the big screen.