by Tim Gordon
When the system fails him, one man takes justice into his own hands in the gripping revenge thriller, The Amateur.
After Charles “Charlie” Heller, a brilliant but desk-bound CIA cryptographer, loses his wife in a devastating terrorist attack in London, his world shatters. Grief quickly turns to outrage when he discovers that the agency he has loyally served refuses to pursue the perpetrators—paralyzed by internal politics, jurisdictional red tape, and strategic hesitation. Fueled by heartbreak and a burning need for justice, Charlie makes an unthinkable move: he blackmails the CIA into giving him field training, demanding the tools and knowledge to do what they won’t.
Transforming from analyst to operative, Charlie plunges into the dangerous world of espionage and international terrorism. With nothing left to lose, he begins a relentless, unsanctioned manhunt across borders, relying on intellect, instinct, and sheer determination to track down the people responsible for his wife’s death. As the stakes rise and the lines between justice and revenge blur, The Amateur delivers a gritty, emotionally charged thriller about loss, obsession, and what happens when the system fails the very people it’s meant to protect.
Starring Rami Malek as the determined and emotionally driven Charlie Heller, alongside Rachel Brosnahan, Caitríona Balfe, Michael Stuhlbarg, Holt McCallany, Julianne Nicholson, and Laurence Fishburne, The Amateur brings together a powerhouse cast that elevates this high-stakes action thriller. Each actor brings depth and complexity to their role, making this film an intense and unforgettable ride.
Grade: B+
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