The Amateur is now in theaters.
By Greg Wheeler
What do you get when you mix The Bourne Identity with Mr. Robot? Probably something close to The Amateur, the latest spy thriller to hit the big screen. Gritty, grounded, and surprisingly realistic, The Amateur combines classic espionage tropes with sleek coding sequences and a shiny CIA badge, then subverts expectations just enough to emerge as one of the year’s biggest surprises.
While the film is a bit slow in places and could have used a more fleshed-out ending, it remains engaging thanks to Rami Malek’s excellent performance, a gripping screenplay, and a steady stream of espionage thrills across its two-hour runtime.
The story centers on Charlie Heller (Malek), a CIA cryptographer and decoder. Highly intelligent—with an IQ of 170—and well-regarded by his colleagues, Charlie is particularly close with a brilliant, enigmatic field agent known as “The Bear.” At home, things are equally ideal. His wife, Sarah, is loving and supportive, encouraging him to continue pursuing what he’s passionate about.
But when Sarah travels to London for a work conference, Charlie’s life is shattered. She’s taken hostage during a terrorist attack and is killed in the street by four masked men. Consumed by grief and a thirst for revenge, Charlie uses CIA resources to analyze the crime and successfully identifies the attackers.
However, Deputy Director Moore refuses to authorize further action, shutting Charlie down. But Charlie isn’t about to let it go. Determined to act on his own, he leverages a series of secret connections—including an anonymous pen pal and incriminating documents—to force Moore’s hand.
Charlie receives training from a CIA field agent, Colonel Henderson (Laurence Fishburne), but it quickly becomes clear that he isn’t cut out for cold-blooded execution. Instead, he leans into his strengths—his intellect and analytical skills—crafting innovative, sometimes brutal methods to pursue justice his own way.
With a hit list in hand and a target on his back, Charlie launches into a mission that might just cost him his life.
The premise is executed well, and the film embraces its global scope. From dimly lit clubs in Paris to the icy Russian coastline and the humid streets of Istanbul, the shifting locales are showcased with beautiful establishing shots, helping keep the pace fresh and the atmosphere immersive.
Unlike many thrillers, The Amateur leans into realism. Early on, Charlie notes that London is one of the most surveilled cities in the world, and the film doesn’t shy away from the details. There are extended sequences filled with code, maps, and CIA briefings. Charlie even gives several mini-presentations throughout the film, explaining cryptographic processes and security protocols.
In one standout moment, Charlie deduces the city, time, and general location of a photo based solely on a vineyard shadow and a few architectural details—a stunning example of how the film uses his intellect as a weapon.
Yet he’s not portrayed as an all-knowing genius. In another scene, the CIA uses fragmented CCTV footage and an intercepted earpiece to trace Charlie’s movements and uncover a clandestine contact. These touches keep the film grounded and highlight Charlie’s vulnerability as much as his brilliance.
Malek’s performance will feel familiar to Mr. Robot fans—Charlie shares some DNA with Elliot Alderson, the socially awkward hacker Malek famously portrayed. But here, he brings added emotional weight and nuance. Small moments, like flinching at the sound of an explosion or fumbling an interrogation, add depth to his character. The supporting cast also delivers: Laurence Fishburne is commanding as Henderson, Jon Bernthal brings quiet intensity as The Bear, and Holt McCallany is excellent as Deputy Director Moore.
That said, anyone expecting something like John Wick or Kill Bill—with wall-to-wall action and body counts in the dozens—might leave disappointed. This is a more introspective thriller, concerned not just with vengeance but with its consequences. The film explores how grief transforms Charlie, and what happens when you start down a dark path you can’t return from. It also sends a subtle but strong message about underestimated intelligence: being the smartest person in the room can be just as dangerous as being the strongest.
The Amateur doesn’t try to reinvent the genre, but that’s part of its charm. It tells a straightforward revenge story with quiet confidence, steering clear of over-the-top spectacle or forced Marvel-style quips. There’s humor, but it’s used sparingly and effectively to avoid tipping into melodrama.
The pacing might be too slow for some viewers, especially since large chunks of the film involve Charlie methodically planning and executing his kills. But for those who enjoy a slower-burn espionage story with sharp tension and intelligent plotting, the payoff is worth it.
The soundtrack, composed by Volker Bertelmann, is another standout. As Charlie travels across the globe, the music follows with moody, minor-string arrangements that evoke an ominous and mysterious tone. One track in particular, “Ouvrez La Porte,” is a highlight.
Still, the film isn’t without flaws. The ending feels rushed, especially after such a patient build-up, and it would’ve been nice to see more of Charlie and Sarah’s relationship early on to strengthen the emotional stakes. Flashbacks help, but a few more minutes of banter or intimacy would have added impact to her death and Charlie’s spiral.
Overall, The Amateur is a strong, well-made thriller. The score is compelling, the performances are top-tier—particularly Malek’s—and the action, while not constant, is sharp and effective when it hits. It may not be a game-changer, but it’s a refreshingly grounded spy film in a genre that often prioritizes spectacle over substance.
I give The Amateur a B+.
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