Here’s How ‘The Amateur’ Upends the Spy Thriller

The spy thriller needs a facelift.

Yes, modern films flex the latest technology, turning a simple drone strike into an urgent war upgrade. They still depend on bulky heroes, crazed conspiracies and maddening gaps in logic.

“The Amateur” falls hard for the latter, but in other ways the thriller feels fresh and vital. Blame star Rami Malek, whose curious screen presence is welcome in any genre. The film’s central gimmick is the real game changer, a chance to reset the spy thriller on its own terms.

Charlie Heller (Rami Malek) works as a CIA decoder, but life’s basic tasks seem out of reach. He’s too nervous to travel with his adoring wife Sarah (Rachel Brosnahan), for example. His dependence on her borders on obsession.

They’re still a sweet couple, and his nebbishly nature is lapped by his killer coffee skills.

Sorry, ladies … he’s taken (but not for long, sadly).

Terrorists kidnap Sarah during her work trip to London, an incident he watches with horror play out on the news. She’s killed in the melee, and Charlie becomes hellbent on revenge.

His whole life disappeared in a muzzle flash.

His CIA bosses are literally the best people to mete out justice, but they can’t act immediately for broader reasons (no spoilers, please!). Outraged, Charlie gets a crash course in Spy School to pursue the guilty parties personally.

He’s paired with an old-school instructor named Henderson (Laurence Fishburne) but is told he’s not cut out for spy work.

At least on paper, he thinks with a grin.

“The Amateur” burns precious calories on character development, and it doesn’t end with the first act. Malek’s Charlie is an eccentric, but watching him push past his neuroses is fascinating.

Except when it’s time to take out the trash. Dum-dum dummmm!

Like most thrillers, “The Amateur” asks us to swallow hard as some farcical plot developments take over. The screenplay never turns Charlie into Jason Bourne-lite, a lean, mean fighting machine. His intellect is his secret weapon, plus a knack for building impromptu gadgets.

At the London premiere of “The Amateur,” Rami Malek reflects on his transition from a villain in the “Bond” franchise to playing an “unexpected hero” who is relatable to everyone. pic.twitter.com/WIM4L4GGjp

— AP Entertainment (@APEntertainment) April 1, 2025

Malek isn’t challenged by “The Amateur,” but he’s perfectly cast as a man living outside his comfort zone. What’s missing? An organic evolution from desk jockey to killing machine. And, more importantly, the psychological angst that might come with that shift.

Supporting players add necessary layers to the story, including the intimidating Holt McCallany as Charlie’s supervisor and Julianne Nicholson as the CIA’s public face. Fishburne’s presence matters most, but his limited screen time proves problematic.

Caitriona Balfe shows how “The Amateur” can soar when it remembers the story’s DNA. She plays a fellow spy, the real deal, and her partership with Charlie includes an incredibly tender moment. It’s brief, but it suggests the kind of attention to detail spy films often lack.

These are human beings risking life and limb, remember?

So how does Charlie track terrorists despite his lousy social skills?  Well, it helps to have screenwriters (Ken Nolan and Gary Spinelli) who can steer a novice through his paces. He even stays a few steps ahead of his CIA pals.

Some amateur!

Director Jason Hawes (“One Life”) makes the most of today’s technology, allowing Charlie to circument his lack of training with ingenious traps and digital assistants.

“The Amateur,” an update on the 1981 movie starring John Savage, delivers a third act twist that lands with a thud. A character reemerges in a way that may make theater goers laugh out loud. The moment also doubles as a potential franchise starter.

“Amateurish?” “Amateur 2: Still Learning?”

This odd genre twist is worth a look but let’s leave it at that. 

HiT or Miss: “The Amateur” wisely updates the spy thriller template, with star Rami Malek making the most of the welcome twist.

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