The Amateur is an entertaining spy-thriller that is reminiscent of the genre that we haven't got to see in quite some time. Just different enough to stand out, but not unique enough to stand alone, it's still a good way to spend some time if you're a fan of the genre. This one is available now digitally, and physically on July 8th.
“Charlie Heller is a brilliant but deeply introverted decoder for the CIA, working out of a basement office at headquarters in Langley, whose life is turned upside down when his wife is killed in a London terrorist attack. When his supervisors refuse to take action, he takes matters into his own hands, embarking on a dangerous trek across the globe to track down those responsible, his intelligence serving as the ultimate weapon for eluding his pursuers and achieving his revenge..”
Sometimes a film slips under the radar, despite having all the ingredients for a great modern thriller. The Amateur is one of those films. Based on the 1981 novel by Robert Littell and a loose remake of the original film, this new adaptation trades Cold War paranoia for modern espionage urgency. Directed by James Hawes, this is a mostly by-the-numbers story that doesn’t try to reinvent the genre, but executes its familiar beats with admirable precision.
It’s an unusual role for Rami Malek, who plays Charles Heller, a CIA cryptographer suddenly thrust into a mission far beyond his desk job after his wife is killed in a terrorist attack. In a move that feels equal parts Jack Ryan and John Wick, Heller essentially blackmails his own agency to let him chase down those responsible, threatening to expose their secrets unless they let him go into the field. What unfolds is a tense, globe-trotting series of encounters as the agency, predictably, decides it may be easier to silence him than support him.
Malek has always had intensity, but The Amateur strips that down to something more grounded and human. He’s not the calculating villain of No Time to Die or the socially awkward genius of Mr. Robot, here, he’s an everyman whose grief makes him dangerous in a way that the agency didn’t predict. It’s one of his better performances in recent years, and it works because he never turns into a full-on action star. He’s always a little out of his depth, and that’s where the tension comes from.
Where The Amateur really shines is in its use of quiet moments. There are a few big action set pieces, but they’re done with restraint and weight. You feel the cost of every decision, every death. Laurence Fishburne brings a strong presence as a weary veteran who’s seen too many compromises and plays the moral compass of the film. Rachel Brosnahan adds emotional weight to a role that could’ve easily been one-note, playing an operative caught between doing her job and protecting a man she believes in, despite orders. What I believe lacks the most is a strong emotional connection. We only get moments with him and his wife, although he sees her throughout the film in flashes. We as the audience just don’t get time enough to spend with her, or even in the events leading to her death to make it that much more impactful to us.
Still, The Amateur has themes about knowing who to trust, love, and revenge. It’s a solid companion piece to something like Three Days of the Condor or The Constant Gardener, movies where institutions aren’t just failing the protagonist, they’re actively targeting him. Hawes keeps things tight and focused, rarely letting the plot spiral into the realm of unbelievable tech or overused tropes. If anything, it’s a bit too neat in its resolution, but the emotional arc for the most part holds. It feels as though these types of spy thrillers are few and far between these days, and it’s refreshing to get another dose, even if it is fairly a straightforward story, but nonetheless entertaining.
Video
The Amateur is presented in 4k Ultra HD Widescreen 2.39:1 with Dolby Vision (on supported platforms). This is a sleek, modern thriller with a grounded color palette. Cold steel blues and rainy neutrals dominate much of the film, which adds to the unease. The Dolby Vision makes for fantastic black levels in shadowy interiors, especially in scenes set in Prague and London. Detail is strong, though the grain structure is minimal. It’s a clean but not overly processed transfer.
Audio
Audio is presented in Dolby Atmos, and the mix is subtle but effective. Dialogue is clean and front-centered, with location sounds and ambient tension creeping in from the surrounds. The score, moody and electronic, works in tandem with the tension, rising when it needs to but never overwhelming. Gunfire and chase sequences carry some punch, but it’s never Michael Bay-level bombastic. That restraint suits the film perfectly.
Special Features (Digital Release)
Sadly, this is one area that feels like a missed opportunity. No commentary track, no behind-the-scenes, and no deleted scenes, not even a basic making-of. It’s a shame, as the performances and production design feel like they would have benefited from some insight. For now, you’ll have to settle for the film itself, but hopefully the physical release later this year includes something more substantial.
The Amateur won’t redefine the spy thriller, but it’s a damn solid entry in the genre. Malek turns in a restrained, compelling performance, and the film knows exactly what it wants to do and never overreaches. In a cinematic landscape crowded with superhero fatigue and bloated franchise entries, this felt refreshingly focused, personal, tight, and smartly paced. I’d absolutely recommend it for fans of grounded thrillers who miss the days when character mattered more than spectacle.
We were given a digital code to review this film, which is available to own digitally now. Keep your eye out for the physical release, which comes out July 8th on 4k and Blu-ray, which is sure to have some interesting special features.