The Amateur (2025)

“When the CIA says no, just blackmail them.”

In The Amateur, Rami Malek portrays Charlie Heller, a CIA codebreaker who transitions from decoding messages to delivering vengeance. After his wife is tragically killed in a terrorist attack, Heller leverages classified information to coerce the CIA into training him as an operative, embarking on a globe-trotting mission of retribution.

The film attempts to blend the cerebral with the explosive, offering a protagonist who is as adept with algorithms as he is with armaments. However, the transformation from desk-bound analyst to international assassin stretches plausibility, even within the elastic boundaries of spy thrillers.

Director James Hawes crafts a narrative that oscillates between introspective moments and high-octane action sequences. While the film boasts a stellar supporting cast—including Laurence Fishburne as a seasoned mentor and Michael Stuhlbarg as the enigmatic antagonist—the character development often takes a backseat to the plot’s machinations.

Critics have noted the film’s uneven pacing and tonal inconsistencies. As one reviewer aptly put it, “The Amateur isn’t just dry. It’s embalmed. It is the spy thriller you give your dad when he’s too tired for Tinker Tailor but not drunk enough for Taken.”

Despite its shortcomings, The Amateur offers moments of intrigue and tension, particularly in its climactic sequences. Yet, it leaves viewers pondering whether the film’s title refers to its protagonist’s espionage experience or the execution of the narrative itself.

2 out of 5 Password Resets