🎬 Overview
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Title: The Amateur
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Genre: Action‑thriller / Spy
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Director: James Hawes (Slow Horses, Black Mirror) impawards.com+14en.wikipedia.org+14rogerebert.com+14reddit.com+3tv.apple.com+3reuters.com+3
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Writers: Ken Nolan & Gary Spinelli, adapted from the 1981 novel by Robert Littell whattowatch.com+12en.wikipedia.org+12reddit.com+12
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Runtime & Rating: ~124 minutes, rated PG‑13 for violence and language amazon.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2tv.apple.com+2
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Rami Malek as CIA cryptographer Charles "Charlie" Heller, the unlikely field operative reddit.com+15en.wikipedia.org+15hollywood.com+15
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Rachel Brosnahan as Sarah Heller, Charlie’s wife, whose death sets the plot in motion thetimes.co.uk+13en.wikipedia.org+13disney.fandom.com+13
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Laurence Fishburne as Robert “Hendo” Henderson, the mentor‑trainer vanityfair.com+5en.wikipedia.org+5es.wikipedia.org+5
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Supporting cast: Caitríona Balfe, Michael Stuhlbarg, Holt McCallany, Julianne Nicholson, Jon Bernthal, Adrian Martinez, Danny Sapani reddit.com+15en.wikipedia.org+1520thcenturystudios.com+15
🔍 Plot Synopsis
Charlie Heller, a brilliant yet introverted CIA cryptographer, loses his wife in a terrorist attack in London. Frustrated by the agency’s inaction, he blackmails them into giving him field‑training and a pass to go rogue—tracking down the perpetrators using brains over brawns imdb.com+15rottentomatoes.com+15whattowatch.com+15.
This global cat‑and‑mouse journey explores internal CIA politics, moral ambiguity, and the cost of vengeance hollywood.com.
🎭 Reception
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Box Office: Budget ~$60 M; Gross around $96 M worldwide people.com+8en.wikipedia.org+8disney.fandom.com+8
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Rotten Tomatoes: Mixed reviews—praised Malek’s unconventional take but criticized the formulaic tone en.wikipedia.org+15rottentomatoes.com+15whattowatch.com+15
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Critic Take:
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Roger Ebert: “Clinical approach… no heartbeat” rogerebert.com
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Variety’s Owen Gleiberman: “Well‑made but padded with fluff”
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IndieWire’s David Ehrlich: “an aggressively competent spy thriller” ru.wikipedia.org+1reddit.com+1
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Audience View: Described as a "Jason Bourne for STEM kids"—smart but slower‑burn
🎞️ Notable Highlights
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Improvised intensity: A training scene where Fishburne’s character unexpectedly slaps Malek—unscripted—which elevated the tension reddit.com+15ew.com+15irishfilmcritic.com+15
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Modern update: Moves the setting from Cold War Europe to today’s hotspots like Istanbul, reflecting contemporary threats whattowatch.com
📅 Release
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Theatrical debut (US): April 11, 2025 (started global rollout April 9)
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Digital release: June 10, 2025
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Home media (4K/Blu‑ray/DVD): July 8, 2025 rottentomatoes.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2irishfilmcritic.com+2
🧠 Final Take
The Amateur offers a cerebral spin on the revenge‑spy formula: a tech‑savvy protagonist using intellect over brute force. While this fresh perspective—and Malek’s layered performance—garners praise, critics note its pacing and emotional restraint may leave some wanting more depth. If you’re into espionage thrillers with a thoughtful, modern edge, it’s worth a watch—even if it doesn’t fully escape conventional tropes.
📺 Watch the Trailer
Interested in where to stream it now, comparisons to the original 1981 version, or reviews from early audiences? Just let me know!
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