Low-key gadgets, high-key revenge energy.
Let’s be real — spy thrillers usually come packed with rooftop chases, exploding pens, and a lead who looks like they were born with a silencer in one hand and a shaken martini in the other. The Amateur? Not that movie.
And that’s why it works.
Directed by James Hawes (yep, the guy behind One Life and Slow Horses S1). this is a grounded, brainy take on revenge. It's got style, smarts, and just enough firepower to keep things moving. Think John Wick meets Tinker Tailor, but with a codebreaker and way less gun fu.
Rami Malek’ stars as Charles Heller, a CIA cryptographer — not your standard gun-toting hero. He’s methodical, composed, and definitely not trained for field work. But when his wife is killed in a terrorist attack, Charles goes rogue.
The film wisely spends time establishing their relationship, and it’s time well spent. Rachel Brosnaha plays his wife, Wendy, and their chemistry is legit. It feels warm, lived-in, and genuinely sweet. So when tragedy hits, you feel it. And when Charles starts setting traps and going full revenge mode, you get it.
No sudden "he’s secretly ex-Special Forces" twist here — just a guy who’s brilliant, broken, and laser-focused.
He’s not a killer… until he is.
Instead of brawls and bullets, Charles uses brains and strategy. His setup for tracking down his wife’s killers has this ticking-clock tension that feels more Kill Bill than Bond. And while he’s not a killer by nature, watching him slowly unravel his plan is way more satisfying than you might expect.
He’s also not alone. Laurence Fishburne plays his reluctant mentor, and if there’s one thing Fishburne knows how to nail, it’s gravitas. And listen — the guy could read the back of a cereal box and make it sound profound. He’s great here. Stoic, seasoned, and clearly having fun. It’s giving “Morpheus, but make it CIA.”
Fishburne could teach you how to tie your shoes and it’d still feel badass.
If there’s one thing this movie isn’t, it’s bombastic. The action scenes are decent, but this isn’t the kind of flick that’s aiming for jaw-dropping stunts or massive set pieces. Instead, it’s slick, moody, and more interested in tension than explosions — and that works in its favour.
James Hawes keeps the pacing tight, and the cinematography is chef’s kiss. Clean, sharp, and full of style without going full Mission: Impossible.
This spy thriller has less boom, more brain — and that’s the point.
Shout out to director James Hawes, because this thing looks goooood. Sharp cinematography, slick pacing, and a score that actually enhances the story instead of drowning it. It’s all very BBC espionage drama if it got a Hollywood upgrade— and we’re into that vibe.
✅ Malek playing it low-key lethal
✅ Actual emotional stakes (rare for thrillers!)
✅ A refreshing take on the revenge-spy genre
❌ A few more set-piece moments wouldn’t hurt
The Amateur might not be reinventing the genre, but it does offer a fresher, more grounded approach to a spy thriller. It’s got a great lead, slick direction, and enough smarts to make up for its quieter approach to action. And once it kicks into gear, you’ll be along for the ride — gadgets, grief, and all.
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