Based on Robert Littell’s 1981 novel of the same name, this remake of the original movie has been in development hell for almost twenty years. Initially, Hugh Jackman was set to be miscast as Charles Heller, a nerdy CIA cryptographer with a high IQ who is far from a natural field agent. Thankfully, the slight and much more believable Rami Malek took on the role in this 2025 version of The Amateur, as he becomes an unlikely vigilante spy bent on taking out his wife’s killers. It’s a great premise. Shame about the movie, which literally made us nod off at one point.
From the off, Malek’s socially awkward brain box doesn’t make sense. He goes from confident aeroplane hobbyist at his beautiful house, complete with beautiful wife, to arriving at Langley saddened not to be invited to lunch by macho Jon Bernthal’s almost pointless colleague. A role that randomly resumes later in another part of the world, as though it may have had a larger part to play in an earlier edit. Briefly trained by Laurence Fishburne’s over-the-top CIA field trainer, Heller heads to Europe to ruthlessly poison and blow up the terrorists who killed his wife, played by Rachel Brosnahan.
Incredibly, The Amateur manages to make what is trying to be something of a Jason Bourne thriller (complete with dreary grey resolution) into a real slog of a snooze-fest. Given the plot, this could have been something of a John Wick meets Kill Bill thriller if taken in a more pulpy and entertaining direction. Lacking in action and characters to give a fig about, this forgettable spook flick is one to miss.
The Amateur is released in UK cinemas on April 11, 2025.
