The Amateur is that rare remake that not only justifies its existence but surpasses its source material in nearly every way. In an era overflowing with soulless sequels and shallow reboots, this film reminds us what a remake should be: reimagined with care, driven by purpose, and delivered with intelligence. Tapping into timely fears, global paranoia, and emotional vengeance, The Amateur may very well be the thinking man’s action thriller of 2025.
Rami Malek as Heller in 20th Century Studio’s THE AMATEUR. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2024 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
At the center of the film is Rami Malek, best known for his haunting performance in Mr. Robot and his Oscar-winning portrayal of Freddie Mercury. Here, Malek gives one of his most grounded and emotionally resonant performances to date. He plays Charles Heller, a brilliant CIA cryptographer whose world is shattered when a terrorist group executes a series of coordinated attacks, killing his wife in the process. What begins as a quiet, psychological unraveling turns into a calculated and cerebral quest for justice — one that bypasses bureaucracy and protocol in favor of personal reckoning.
L-R: Rami Malek as Heller and Holt McCallany as Moore in 20th Century Studios’ THE AMATEUR. Photo Credit: Jonathan Olley. © 2024 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
This isn’t your typical revenge film, and that’s where The Amateur separates itself from the pack. It trades in testosterone for tension, spectacle for suspense. Malek’s character doesn’t transform into an unstoppable killing machine; he uses his mind, his deep understanding of systems, and his grasp of human psychology to dismantle the enemy from within.
Actor Rami Malek on the set of 20th Century Studios’ THE AMATEUR. Photo by John Wilson. © 2024 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
In a genre that often rewards brute strength, The Amateur instead celebrates intelligence, strategy, and emotional depth. Laurence Fishburne (Apocalypse Now; Transformers One) co-stars as a veteran intelligence operative caught between duty and morality. Fishburne brings gravitas to every frame, grounding the film with a mix of wisdom and world-weariness. His chemistry with Malek is both tense and touching, serving as the film’s moral compass.
Their scenes together are some of the film’s most memorable, combining ideological conflict with genuine humanity. Director James Hawes (of Slow Horses and Black Mirror fame) brings a lean, methodical approach to the storytelling. His direction is crisp, avoiding the bloated run times and over-the-top action sequences that plague so many modern thrillers. Instead, Hawes leans into atmosphere — tense phone calls, shadowy corridors, cryptic code-breaking, and morally gray decisions which feel alarmingly real in today’s sociopolitical landscape.
What elevates The Amateur even further is its screenplay. Adapted from Robert Littell’s novel and the original 1981 film, this version modernizes the Cold War-era paranoia into today’s post-9/11, surveillance-heavy reality. It asks timely questions: How much are we willing to give up for security? What happens when institutions meant to protect us are either compromised or apathetic? And at what point does justice become indistinguishable from revenge?
Technically, the film is top-tier. The cinematography by Linus Sandgren (La La Land; First Man) paints the world in muted tones, evoking a sense of grief and moral ambiguity. The score by Volker Bertelmann (All Quiet on the Western Front) is haunting and emotional, adding gravitas to every twist and turn without overwhelming the narrative.
Laurence Fishburne as Henderson in 20th Century Studios’ THE AMATEUR. Photo Credit: Jonathan Olley. © 2024 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
By the film’s final act, The Amateur has fully transformed into something rare in modern mainstream cinema: an action thriller that doesn’t insult your intelligence. It challenges the audience to reflect on justice, grief, and sacrifice without ever losing its grip on suspense.
L-R: Rami Malek as Heller and Rachel Brosnahan as Sarah in 20th Century Studio’s THE AMATEUR. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2024 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
The special features include four minutes of deleted scenes and four featurettes which give viewers a deeper look into the film’s production. These featurettes are titled “The Team” (nine minutes), “The World” (six minutes), “The Pool” (six minutes), and “The Score” (six minutes), each offering behind-the-scenes insights into different aspects of the movie. It’s a home run of a release that is well worth your time on the special features front, as well.
L-R: Director James Hawes and actor Rami Malek on the set of 20th Century Studios’ THE AMATEUR. Photo Credit: John Wilson. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
In a year flooded with formulaic reboots and uninspired franchise entries, The Amateur is a breath of fresh, bracing air. It honors its source material while boldly stepping into its own identity. Driven by powerful performances—especially from Rami Malek and Laurence Fishburne—and guided by a confident directorial hand, it proves that sometimes remakes can offer more than nostalgia. They can offer evolution.
The Amateur Special Features*:
- The Team – Join the cast and crew as they reflect on what drew them to this bold project. Rami Malek shares his dual experience as both actor and producer. Director James Hawes and others discuss how the script blends emotional depth and high-stakes action. (9 min)
- The World – Explore how the film’s production combined real-world locations with intricate set designs to create a visually stunning and immersive world, from the shadowy halls of CIA headquarters to the bustling streets of Europe. (6 min)
- The Pool – Go behind the scenes as the talented creative team uncovers how Charlie’s ingenious plan involving the sky pool was conceived, planned and executed, blending practical effects and cutting-edge technology to deliver a show-stopping moment. (6 min)
- The Score – Listen in as the composer and director talk about the challenges of creating the score’s various themes — and using unusual instruments and techniques — to bring emotion and drama to this unique thriller. (6 min)
- Four (4) Deleted Scenes
*Bonus features vary by product and retailer
Available on digital June 10th, 2025.
Available on 4K UHD and Blu-ray July 8th, 2025.
Available on Hulu and Disney+ July 17th, 2025.
For more information, head to the official 20th Century Studios The Amateur webpage.
Final Score: 4.5 out of 5.
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Categories: Films To Watch, Home Release, Home Video, Recommendation, Reviews, streaming
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