“The Amateur” Brings Back Old-School Spy Thrills with a Stellar Cast – Review

The Amateur is now playing theaters.

Rami Malek trades in his Freddie Mercury swagger for a much more restrained but equally riveting role in The Amateur. It is a gripping espionage thriller from 20th Century Studios that hits theaters April 11, 2025. This taut, cerebral throwback isn’t just a break from today’s blockbuster fatigue — it’s a reminder of how engaging a well-acted, slow-burning thriller can be.

Just saw The Amateur and WOW! Rami Malek delivers one of his best performances yet. The gripping espionage thrillers we thought were gone since the 2000s are officially BACK! pic.twitter.com/JLAI7IH0bJ

— Sean Tajipour (@Seantaj) April 10, 2025

Malek plays Charlie Heller. He is a brilliant yet socially withdrawn CIA decoder whose quiet life is shattered after his wife is killed in a devastating terrorist attack in London. When agency higher-ups refuse to act, Heller takes justice into his own hands, setting off on a globe-trotting mission of revenge powered by his sharp intellect and steely determination.

What makes The Amateur stand out isn’t just the tight plotting or its moody atmosphere — it’s the ensemble. Malek is magnetic as Heller, delivering a performance that pulses with quiet rage and emotional urgency. He makes you feel the weight of every decision and every risk. Laurence Fishburne brings serious weight as a seasoned CIA veteran, and the rest of the cast — Rachel Brosnahan, Caitríona Balfe, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Holt McCallany — all deliver standout performances.

That said, The Amateur doesn’t fully utilize everyone. Jon Bernthal, who usually dominates any scene he’s in, feels underused here. His presence is impactful, but his limited screen time makes his role feel like an afterthought in an otherwise well-balanced ensemble.

The film takes its time at two hours — maybe a bit too much.

While the pacing leans more toward old-school spy intrigue than non-stop action, some tighter editing or an extra burst of excitement in the third act could have elevated it even further. Think of it as a more grounded mash-up of The Bourne Identity and John Wick, with far fewer bullets but a lot more tension

Still, the IMAX experience adds plenty of punch, making the slower moments feel immersive rather than sluggish. The cinematography is slick, the sound design is sharp, and the globe-trotting settings pop on the big screen.

The Amateur feels like a breath of fresh air in a movie landscape crowded with overstuffed franchise films. It doesn’t rely on superpowers or cinematic universes — just a strong story, sharp direction, and actors at the top of their game. This kind of smart, grounded action-thriller dominated theaters in the early 2000s, and it’s great to see the genre coming back. Here’s hoping studios take note.

Verdict

I give The Amateur 4 out of 5 stars. It is a moody, intelligent spy flick with a killer cast. It could’ve used more action, but it is still well worth the watch.

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