The Amateur (2025)

Don't underestimate him.

PG-13
2h 3m

Directed by: James Hawes
Novel: Robert Littell
Premiered: April 09, 2025
Language: English
Status: Released
Budget: $60,000,000.00
Revenue: $95,956,038.00
Country: United States of America

The Amateur

7.0/10 (1360 vote)

★★★★★★★★★★

Production: 20th Century Studios
Hutch Parker Entertainment
Joel B. Michaels Productions
TSG Entertainment

Spoiler

In the gripping thriller "The Amateur," directed by James Hawes, we are introduced to Charlie Heller, played by Rami Malek, a reclusive yet brilliant cryptographer working for the CIA. The film opens with Charlie immersed in his solitary work within the confines of his shed, a sanctuary where he decodes classified information. His routine is disrupted when his wife, Sarah (Rachel Brosnahan), bids him farewell as she departs for a conference in London, setting the stage for a harrowing journey that will change Charlie’s life forever.

Charlie's world is shattered when he learns of Sarah's tragic death during a hostage crisis in London. Initially in disbelief, he is confronted with the stark reality when shown surveillance footage of her abduction by armed terrorists. The emotional weight of this moment is palpable as Charlie grapples with the loss of his beloved wife. In the aftermath, he is returned her personal belongings, including a puzzle she had intended to gift him, which serves as a poignant reminder of their life together.

Determined to seek justice for Sarah, Charlie approaches Director Frank Moore (Holt McCallany) and Deputy Caleb Horowitz (Danny Sapani) to demand action against her killers. However, they dismiss his pleas, believing that the situation cannot be resolved in the manner he desires. Fueled by grief and anger, Charlie delves deeper into the circumstances surrounding the attack and uncovers the identities of the four terrorists responsible: Mishka Blazhic (Marc Rissmann), Ellish (Joseph Milson), Gretchen Frank (Barbara Probst), and Horst Schiller (Michael Stuhlbarg), the latter being the one who pulled the trigger. It is revealed through further investigation that Sarah heroically defended another woman during the attack, ultimately leading to her own abduction.

In a desperate bid for vengeance, Charlie requests training to become a field agent, but his superiors mock him, underestimating his resolve. In a bold move, he threatens to expose their unsanctioned drone strikes in the Middle East, which they have disguised as suicide bombings. This threat forces them to reluctantly allow him to undergo training at Camp Ready, where he meets Colonel Robert “Hendo” Henderson (Laurence Fishburne). Despite struggling with combat training, Charlie demonstrates his expertise in bomb-making, a skill that will prove crucial in his quest for revenge.

As Charlie’s training progresses, Moore and Caleb plot to eliminate him, believing he is a liability. However, Charlie manages to escape the camp, setting off on a relentless pursuit of the terrorists. His journey begins in Paris, where he tracks down Gretchen Frank. Disguised as a doctor, Charlie infiltrates her apartment, intending to extract information about Schiller. In a tense confrontation, he attempts to suffocate her with pollen, but ultimately hesitates to kill her. In a twist of fate, Gretchen escapes, only to be struck by a car outside, leading to her untimely demise.

With Gretchen's phone in hand, Charlie travels to Marseille, where he is pursued by Henderson. In a desperate bid to evade capture, he orchestrates an explosion in a club bathroom, allowing him to slip away. His next destination is Istanbul, where he meets Inquiline, the widow of a murdered KGB officer, portrayed by Catriona Balfe. Together, they work to track down Blazhic, leading Charlie to a hotel in Madrid. There, he confronts Blazhic at a rooftop pool, rigging it to shatter beneath him. As Blazhic plummets to his death, Charlie’s transformation into a vengeful force becomes undeniable.

However, the stakes continue to rise as Henderson, still on Charlie’s trail, confronts him in a violent clash. The ensuing chaos results in Henderson being shot by an operative working for Director O’Brien, who has grown increasingly suspicious of Charlie’s actions. In the midst of this turmoil, Charlie narrowly escapes, but the loss of his ally weighs heavily on him.

Charlie’s relentless pursuit leads him to Romania, where he cleverly deceives Ellish into revealing Schiller’s whereabouts. In a tense standoff, Charlie activates a bomb, leaving Ellish to face his fate while he escapes with critical information. The CIA, unaware of Charlie's true intentions, is led astray by his hacking skills, allowing him to remain one step ahead.

As Charlie closes in on Schiller’s operation in Primorsk, he is confronted by The Bear, a field agent who once owed his life to Charlie. Despite offers of assistance, Charlie remains resolute in his mission, unwilling to abandon his quest for vengeance. Eventually, Schiller’s men capture Charlie, bringing him aboard their boat for a final confrontation. In a chilling exchange, Schiller justifies his actions, claiming that Sarah’s death was a necessary evil. However, Charlie has a plan of his own, using Schiller’s words to buy time until CIA agents storm the boat, leading to Schiller’s arrest.

In the aftermath, Director O’Brien addresses the press, revealing the truth about the drone strikes and the corruption within the agency. Charlie, now recognized as a whistleblower, is still alive and working with the CIA, a testament to his resilience and determination. In a surprising twist, Henderson reappears, acknowledging Charlie’s capabilities and the underestimation he faced.

The film concludes with a poignant moment as Charlie visits Sarah’s grave, reflecting on the love they shared. He returns to his shed, where he finds the model plane she gifted him. In a symbolic act of healing, he repairs the plane and takes it to the skies, signifying his journey from grief to empowerment.

"The Amateur" is a powerful exploration of loss, revenge, and the lengths one man will go to seek justice. With a runtime of 2 hours and 3 minutes, this action-packed thriller captivates audiences with its intense narrative and emotional depth, making it a must-see film for 2025.