The Amateur

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The Amateur

PG-13

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2h 3m

Action

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

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Popcornmeter

61%

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148 Reviews

89%

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1,000+ Verified Ratings

Charlie Heller (Rami Malek) is a brilliant, but deeply introverted decoder for the CIA working out of a basement office at headquarters in Langley whose life is turned upside down when his wife is killed in a London terrorist attack. When his supervisors refuse to take action, he takes matters into his own hands, embarking on a dangerous trek across the globe to track down those responsible, his intelligence serving as the ultimate weapon for eluding his pursuers and achieving his revenge.

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Critics Consensus

Rami Malek is a compellingly unconventional action hero in the otherwise formulaic The Amateur, which dispenses justice with solid execution but a curious lack of emotional stakes.

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Audience Says

Jason Bourne goes geek, The Amateur proves that heart and a good cast can elevate a seen-before premise into an action-packed, thrilling ride.

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

It’s a promising pulpy premise, but Malek feels too wan and underpowered in the charisma department to be carrying an action flick.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 15, 2025

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Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

It would be funny if it weren’t so dull and so strangely played by Malek, an actor who seemingly believes that a complex internal life is best illustrated by hyperactive facial muscles and the blinkless stare of a sullen zombie.

Rated: 2/5

Apr 14, 2025

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Stephanie Zacharek

TIME Magazine

It’s constructed with a breezy sense of confidence.

Apr 14, 2025

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Fico Cangiano

CineXpress

Perfect casting! Rami Malek shines in this refreshing and entertaining spy thriller. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 3/5

Apr 15, 2025

Full Review

Tara McNamara

Common Sense Media

An awkward tech genius taking on trained killers to avenge his wife's death should make for a slick, high-stakes thriller, but the story is trapped by its own source material.

Apr 15, 2025

Full Review

Alexander Joenks

Pajiba

The Amateur has ample talent and budget to be a decent movie if it had at any point decided to be anything but exactly what it is.

Apr 15, 2025

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Maria G

The movie starts out very slow but picks up speed and it's quite interesting. I enjoyed it immensely after the first 30 minutes and highly recommend watching it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/16/25

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Falishia H

Excellent flow with a believable storyline.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/16/25

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Timothy Brown

One of the worst movies I have ever seen. The screen writer is the real Amateur. The plot requires total suspension of disbelief and reminds me of a childs GI Joe cartoon plot. It is for the intellect of a 4th grader. It was so bad we had a good half hour laugh at the ridiculousness of the entire film.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

04/16/25

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Virginia B

Start it off a bit slow, and then got going about halfway through the film where it became a great thriller. Remi made the movie - without him, meh.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

04/16/25

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Vanessa

The beginning was a little slow and the acting was a little weird/awkward.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/16/25

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Rachelle

Marvelous movie ahhhhh!!! I cant wait to watch it over & over again.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/16/25

Full Review

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James Hawes

Director

Rami Malek

Heller

Rachel Brosnahan

Sarah

Laurence Fishburne

Henderson

Caitriona Balfe

Inquiline

Jon Bernthal

The Bear

The Amateur: Movie Clip - Go Towards the Stairwell

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The Amateur: Movie Clip - You Surprise Me Charlie

0:52

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The Amateur: Featurette - Anatomy of a Scene

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The Amateur: Featurette - Cast Profile

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The Amateur: Right Person

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The Amateur: Smart

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The Amateur: Exclusive Featurette - The Unlikely Spy

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The Amateur: TV Spot - In Theaters April 11

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The Amateur: Featurette - First Look

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The Amateur: Teaser - Threat

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The Amateur: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Charlie Heller (Rami Malek) is a brilliant, but deeply introverted decoder for the CIA working out of a basement office at headquarters in Langley whose life is turned upside down when his wife is killed in a London terrorist attack. When his supervisors refuse to take action, he takes matters into his own hands, embarking on a dangerous trek across the globe to track down those responsible, his intelligence serving as the ultimate weapon for eluding his pursuers and achieving his revenge.

Director: James Hawes
Producer: Hutch Parker, Dan Wilson, Rami Malek, Joel B. Michaels
Screenwriter: Ken Nolan, Gary Spinelli
Distributor: 20th Century Studios
Production Co: Hutch Parker Entertainment
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Action, Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 11, 2025, Wide
Runtime: 2h 3m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Digital 2.39:1