What happens when a coder goes rogue? In The Amateur, the answer is a pulse-pounding spiral into revenge, espionage, and moral ambiguity.
Released in theaters in theaters through 20th Century Studios on April 11, 2025, and directed by James Hawes (Slow Horses series, One Life 2023), the film stars Oscar-winner Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody 2018, No Time To Die 2021) alongside Laurence Fishburne (The Matrix 1999, John Wick 2014) and Rachel Brosnahan (I’m Your Woman 2020, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel series). In this sleek new Spy-Thriller, Malek plays a CIA cryptographer pushed beyond protocol after his wife is killed in a London terrorist attack—and the agency refuses to act. Fueled by grief and a thirst for justice, Charlie turns his analytical mind toward a deadly mission of his own making.
The Amateur explores the underdog story with nuance, grit, and just enough vulnerability to feel authentic. Malek’s Charlie is no suave super-spy; he is an awkward but brilliant codebreaker whose strongest trait is his love for his wife. The brief glimpse we get of his relationship with Sarah, played by Brosnahan, feels genuine and heartfelt, making her sudden, senseless death not just a plot trigger but a deeply personal loss that drives Charlie into action. At times, Malek’s performance leans into awkwardness when audiences might expect raw grief—but that restraint feels intentional. Who is to say how someone like Charlie, who is more fluent in code than emotions, would process such a shattering loss?
The film’s globe-trotting action and inventive revenge tactics evoke the high-stakes intensity of The Bourne Identity or a classic James Bond film. It is a fitting—and slightly ironic—comparison, given that Malek himself once played a Bond villain. The film shines during Charlie’s meticulously planned acts of retribution, each more daring than the last, as he uses his skills to stay one step ahead of the very agency that trained him. Laurence Fishburne’s scenes also stand out, adding grounded charisma and sly wit to his role. His dynamic with Malek brings moments of levity, with subtle, well-timed laughs that break up the intensity without undercutting the film’s tension.
Furthermore, the pacing of The Amateur is spot-on, maintaining a brisk tempo that keeps the tension high. While there is a brief lull at the start as Charlie’s work and personal life are established, it does not disrupt the flow. Once the espionage kicks into gear, the rhythm locks in, keeping the audience engaged throughout. This is while the score, though effective, follows the familiar fast-paced, high-energy style typical of Action Thrillers. While it builds tension well, it does not offer anything particularly memorable. Nonetheless, it complements The Amateur’s atmosphere, enhancing its intensity without drawing attention away from the action.
The Amateur taps into a deeply relatable fear—the paranoia that bad things can happen to good people at any moment and that no one is truly safe. This sense of unease is amplified by the portrayal of a broken and untrustworthy system, making the fear of betrayal and violence feel all too plausible. In today’s world, where headlines grow darker by the day, the movie’s exploration of vulnerability and distrust feels especially timely.
Audiences will appreciate how The Amateur mirrors the uncertainty many feel today and offers hope by showing how the “good guy” can rise above those meant to protect us and take down the true villains. It is a reminder that, even in a broken system, justice can prevail through determination and resilience. A strong addition to the Spy-Thriller genre, delivering a gripping ride, Cryptic Rock gives The Amateur 4 out of 5 stars.
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