THE AMATEUR (2025)

Genre: Action/Thriller
Director: James Hawes
Cast: Rami Malek, Rachel Brosnahan, Caitríona Balfe, Jon Bernthal, Michael Stuhlbarg, Holt McCallany, Julianne Nicholson, Adrian Martinez, Danny Sapani, Laurence Fishburne
Runtime: 2 hr 2 mins
Rating: PG13 (Some Violence)
Released By: Walt Disney
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 10 April 2025

Synopsis: Charlie Heller (Malek) 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.

Movie Review:

American actor Rami Malek first made waves as a computer hacker in the TV series Mr. Robot. His socially withdrawn character, paired with an occasional glint of intensity, made him an ideal choice to portray someone who seems unassuming in a crowd but could be a serious threat if provoked.

He rose to international fame with his portrayal of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in Bryan Singer’s Bohemian Rhapsody (2018), a role that earned him the Best Actor award at the 91st Academy Awards. Since then, we've seen him take on darker roles, such as a psychotic villain in Cary Joji Fukunaga’s No Time to Die (2021), and more cerebral ones, like a nuclear physicist in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer (2023).

In his latest role, Malek plays a cryptographer — a fitting choice — who also takes on a Jason Bourne-style vigilante persona. We're a bit doubtful whether the 43-year-old can convincingly pull off the action-hero side of things, given it likely involves a fair amount of kicking and punching bad guys.

Turns out that this action thriller directed by James Hawes doesn’t actually require Malek’s character to get physical with the villains. Instead, he wreaks havoc from afar — calmly watching as doom descends upon those he’s out to avenge.

Malek plays Charles Heller, a CIA cryptographer leading a quiet life with his wife (Rachel Brosnahan). He commutes to work with a backpack (classic IT guy look) and operates out of a nondescript office tucked far away from civilisation. With limited exposure to sunlight or nature, it’s no surprise that Charles isn’t exactly radiating joy.

Charles’ world is shattered when his wife is killed in a terrorist attack in London. After multiple failed attempts to get his superior (Holt McCallany) to act, Charles uncovers a conspiracy and decides to take matters into his own hands. He receives training from an agent (the ever-intimidating Laurence Fishburne), and there are some funny moments which show why he is not cut out to be a field operative. What follows is a globe-trotting revenge mission, where he eliminates his enemies one by one using the tools he knows best: cutting-edge tech and cold precision.

Based on Robert Littell’s 1981 novel of the same name, the film isn’t your typical action-packed thriller. Instead, it’s a slow-burn narrative that takes its time to build tension, relying heavily on atmosphere and Malek’s brooding intensity. Much of the screen time is filled with his steely gazes and quiet determination. You can’t help but feel for him as he pulls every string and explores every lead in his quest to avenge his wife. Malek delivers the emotional beats with conviction, drawing you into his world — and making it easy to imagine how his inner turmoil might have been expressed in the novel.

The scenes where Charles takes out his wife’s killers are some of the film’s most gripping. Each takedown is meticulously planned and executed, with a flair for the dramatic. One unfortunate target — who happens to be asthmatic — is trapped in a medical chamber filled with pollen. Another meets his end by falling from a glass-bottomed rooftop pool while swimming. These creative kills not only thrill but also underscore Charles’ cold, calculated thirst for revenge.

When the final antagonist (Michael Stuhlbarg) finally meets his fate, you can’t help but feel a sense of grim satisfaction. It’s a fitting end that not only completes Charles’ arc of vengeance but also harks back to a time when characters were crafted with a slow-burning depth and moral complexity. You might find yourself applauding Charles — not just for the justice he delivers, but for reminding us of a storytelling style that favours nuance over noise.

Movie Rating:

(This movie features an intense performance by Rami Malek as he embarks on a journey of vengeance — a reminder of a time when characters were crafted with quiet intensity and purpose)

Review by John Li