Critics Have Seen The Amateur, And They Mostly Agree On Rami Malek’s ‘Generic’ Revenge Thriller

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2025 is brimming with action movies that are scheduled for release, and many film enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting “The Amateur,” directed by James Hawes. In this movie, Rami Malek plays CIA cryptographer-turned-vigilante Charles Heller, who embarks on a solo mission to avenge his wife’s death. With its release date set for April 11 in theaters, critics have already had a sneak peek and are sharing their thoughts about this revenge thriller. What do they think of it?

The Amateur” – A Screen Adaptation from Robert Littell’s Novel, Boasting an Impressive Cast Including Rachel Brosnahan, Jon Bernthal, Laurence Fishburne, and Others. However, TopMob’s Critique by Eric Eisenberg Suggests That the Film Is Overwhelmingly Boring, Dismissing It as a “Snooze-Fest” Worth Only 2 Stars Out of 5.

The film lacks both excitement and depth, with its story crammed into an overly lengthy 123-minute runtime, featuring just four average action sequences (two of which are heavily promoted). Staying awake during the movie can be challenging as the main character leisurely travels through Europe, leaving one hoping for something engaging to unfold. Unfortunately, a talented cast is underutilized in a film that seems unsure of how to make use of its characters effectively.

According to Amon Warmann from Empire, the film “The Amateur” receives a rating of 3 out of 5 stars. He notes some glimmers of potential in the movie and acknowledges that it adheres to its anticipated narrative elements. However, nothing sets this film apart beyond these basic qualities. Warmann shares TopMob’s viewpoint that the acting ensemble is not fully maximized, with Jon Bernthal being particularly underused, as put by Warmann himself.

In a somewhat rigid and monotonous manner, Malek delivers a compelling portrayal of an unanticipated, endearing protagonist venturing beyond his customary boundaries. The ensemble cast boasts varying degrees of effectiveness. Unfortunately, Jon Bernthal’s character, a field agent with affection for Charlie, appears underutilized to the point that eliminating all three of his scenes from the film would not impact the story at all. On the brighter side, Fishburne provides occasional amusement as Henderson, transitioning from harsh interactions with Charlie to grudging admiration.

Jesse Hassenger from The A.V. Club grades it with a C+, acknowledging that t

The Novice consistently upholds a level of competence expected in the professional world. Yet, there’s a hollow, echo-like quality to it, as if it’s been filtered through an airplane’s speakers and network television editing. This film seems to aspire to be a more sophisticated version of a revenge thriller like Taken, but lacks the single-minded determination to navigate complex international issues. It doesn’t delve into moral complexities; instead, it mixes standard spy movie elements in a strange, politically disconnected manner, leaving only a vague and watery impression – a fitting homage, albeit unintentional, to previous studio mediocrity.

As a fellow enthusiast, I concur with David Ehrlich’s C+ rating from IndieWire. He notes that the movie doesn’t quite manage to be enjoyable or uninteresting, instead occupying this peculiar gray area. Yet, despite its overly serious tone, there’s an undeniable amusement in Rami Malek’s character’s unexpected displays of violence and his own surprise at these actions. To sum it up, Ehrlich finds a certain humor in the situation.

A gripping, action-packed spy tale with minimal regard for reason, this Robert Littell adaptation portrays a character who wields more danger than his charming grin. The story suggests that no one is more perilous than a math whiz unwilling to acknowledge his own lethal nature. The movie successfully argues its point so convincingly that it manages to maintain tension throughout the narrative, condensing an entire season’s worth of plot into just two hours.

A significant number of reviewers didn’t find “The Amateur” to be just average. Eric Goldman from IGN rated it as ‘Good’, scoring it 7 out of 10. According to Goldman, Heller is a character that audiences can root for, mainly because the series doesn’t hasten his development into an accomplished assassin and instead allows him to commit some significant blunders. In summary, Goldman considers it an enjoyable twist on the spy genre, stating that it offers an entertaining take on the story.

In a fresh take on the ’90s’ frequent spy movies featuring an ordinary protagonist, “The Amateur” offers a delightful blend of traditional espionage elements with a modern-day tech-oriented CIA analyst who unexpectedly finds himself in the field due to ominous circumstances. The production quality and a talented cast effectively convey this ambiance, providing an enjoyable viewing experience, though the ending might not meet everyone’s expectations.

It appears that many critics are placing The Amateur in the mid-tier when it comes to action thrillers, but given Rami Malek’s exceptional talent in portraying diverse characters as demonstrated in his best films and TV shows, it might be worth checking out if you’re interested in a revenge tale. You can catch this on the big screen from Friday, April 11 onwards.

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2025-04-08 21:37