
The Amateur - An Ambitious Yet Faltering Spy Thriller
The Amateur, directed by James Hawes and released by 20th Century Studios in April 2025, is an American action thriller that aims to meld cerebral espionage with visceral, globe-trotting revenge drama. Based on Robert Littell's 1981 novel, the film reinvents a Cold War-era narrative with contemporary spin, casting CIA cryptographer Charlie Heller, portrayed by Rami Malek, into a relentless personal vendetta after his wife is killed in a terrorist attack. Though structurally rooted in familiar spy thriller conventions, The Amateur seeks to differentiate itself through its protagonist’s unorthodox skill set and internal conflicts, instigating promise but ultimately garnering mixed critical reception.