---
title: "The Amateur"
year: 2025
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-amateur"
fi1m_id: "the-amateur"
imdb_id: "tt0899043"
tmdb_id: 1087891
wikidata_id: "Q119206814"
critics_score: 52
critics_reviews: 22
updated: "2026-09-26T08:11:13.080967+00:00"
region: "NO"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# The Amateur (2025)

Directed by James Hawes · 2h 03m · Medietilsynet 12 · Thriller, Action

## Identity

The Amateur

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/the-amateur
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** the-amateur
- **IMDb ID:** tt0899043
- **TMDB ID:** 1087891
- **Wikidata ID:** Q119206814
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0899043/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/1087891, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q119206814

> **Out now in Norway, review to follow.** Released 17 July 2025. Our review follows once the notices are in, usually within two days of release. The facts below are the distributor's and TMDB's.

### Reviews we read (22)

- **The Hollywood Reporter**, David Rooney (70/100, inferred): Rooney finds the implausible revenge thriller entertaining and a welcome throwback to glossy adult action films. He praises the lively action sequences and clever use of technology, while noting that the plot stretches credibility. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/the-amateur-review-rami-malek-laurence-fishburne-1236184274/)
- **RogerEbert.com** (64/100, inferred): The page could not be accessed, so its verdict is unavailable. No praise or complaint can be verified from the supplied text. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-amateur-film-review-2025)
- **The New York Times** (64/100, inferred): The page could not be read, so the critic’s verdict is unavailable. No praise or complaint can be identified from the accessible content. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/10/movies/the-amateur-review.html)
- **IndieWire**, David Ehrlich (C+): Ehrlich finds the spy thriller neither fun nor dull, with its uneven mix of seriousness and absurdity. He praises Rami Malek’s portrayal of Charlie’s growing confidence and discomfort, as well as the film’s location shooting. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/the-amateur-movie-review-rami-malek-1235114039/)
- **The AV Club**, Jesse Hassenger (C+): The critic finds the thriller professionally made but hollow, generic, and short on substance. They praise its real-world location work, while noting the supporting cast never gets enough to do. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/the-amateur-review)
- **Slant Magazine**, Gregory Nussen (2.5/4): Nussen finds the film a pleasurable but imperfect throwback, with muddled political implications. He praises its sustained corkscrew tension and Malek’s quivering intensity. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-amateur-review-rami-malek-laurence-fishburne/)
- **Time Out**, Phil de Semlyen (3/5): The review calls it a pleasingly old-fashioned spy thriller. It singles out Rami Malek’s shaky vigilante as the film’s central appeal. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-amateur-review-2025)
- **Empire**, Amon Warmann (50/100, inferred): Warmann finds the revenge thriller only partly successful, with modest thrills that never become gripping. He praises the realistic, awkward early stages of Charlie’s training, while noting that his rapid transformation into a hypercompetent killer weakens the film. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/the-amateur/)
- **Little White Lies**, David Jenkins (3/2/2): Jenkins finds the thriller extremely solid but unspectacular, with little substance beyond its central conceit. He criticizes its overpowered hacking and digital tricks for draining tension from the story. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/the-amateur)
- **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (40/100, inferred): Bradshaw finds the spy thriller moderately entertaining but fundamentally muddled. He praises the pool scene and Holt McCallany’s performance, while finding Malek’s anguished moments unconvincing. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/apr/08/the-amateur-review-rami-malek-laurence-fishburne)
- **Radio Times**, James Mottram (35/100, inferred): The review finds the espionage drama patchy and says its spectacular set-pieces cannot compensate for a sub-standard script. It singles out the script as the main weakness. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/the-amateur-review/)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Katie Walsh (30/100, inferred): Walsh finds the film frustratingly inert and its spy-thriller plotting predictable, despite its appealing surface. She praises Rami Malek’s performance and the film’s polished style, but says they cannot overcome its lack of suspense. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2025-04-11/the-amateur-review-rami-malek-laurence-fishburne)
- **Screen Daily**, Tim Grierson (30/100, inferred): The critic finds the film an underpowered, formulaic spy thriller that fails to make its revenge story compelling. He praises Malek’s intriguing take on an unlikely hero and the film’s globetrotting look, but faults its pedestrian action and predictable story. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/the-amateur-review-rami-malek-is-an-unlikely-spy-in-underpowered-revenge-thriller/5203779.article)
- **Variety**, Owen Gleiberman (30/100, inferred): Gleiberman finds the revenge thriller watchable but frictionless, weighed down by implausibilities and familiar genre ingredients. He praises Rami Malek’s fit for the role and singles out an early scene that briefly gives the film a taste of sadism. [Read](https://variety.com/2025/film/reviews/the-amateur-review-rami-malek-1236362272/)
- **Vulture**, Alison Willmore (25/100, inferred): Willmore finds the film an ill-fitting, overstuffed revenge thriller that cannot make its serious approach work. She praises Malek’s effort to give Charles emotional depth, but says his realistic performance clashes with the pulpy material. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/article/the-amateur-review-rami-malek-is-too-weird-for-hollywood.html)
- **Deadline**, Pete Hammond (85/100, inferred): Hammond finds the spy thriller an exciting, emotionally engaging twist on the genre. He praises Rami Malek’s understated performance and singles out the Berlin pool-collapse sequence as an action highlight. [Read](https://deadline.com/2025/04/the-amateur-review-rami-malek-1236362892/)
- **The Playlist**, Rodrigo Perez (B): The critic finds the film engaging and competently made, though its plot strains credibility. He praises the cast, taut direction, and crisp editing for making its far-fetched revenge story work. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/the-amateur-review-rami-malek-is-the-bourne-nerd-imatum-in-brains-over-brawn-revenger-20250411/)
- **Digital Spy**, Ian Sandwell (75/100, inferred): The review finds The Amateur a gripping, well-crafted spy thriller, despite its familiar plot and shallow treatment of grief. It praises the tense, original set pieces, especially the inventive ways Heller uses his intelligence to pursue the killers. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a64416051/the-amateur-review-slow-horses/)
- **Collider**, Jeff Ewing (7/10): Ewing finds the film a worthwhile, atypical spy thriller, though its slower pace and contrived plot points strain its logic. He praises Rami Malek’s layered performance as a grieving widower and Laurence Fishburne’s electric presence. [Read](https://collider.com/the-amateur-movie-review-rami-malek/)
- **/Film**, Jeremy Mathai (6.5/10): The critic finds it a solid, enjoyable thriller that falls short of its potential because of tropes, a haphazard plot, and an unsatisfying ending. He praises the underdog premise and the creative set pieces built around modern technology. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/1829099/the-amateur-rami-malek-movie-review/)
- **The Wrap** (40/100, inferred): The critic finds the film mediocre but watchable, with familiar plotting that undercuts its potential. Rami Malek’s performance is singled out for giving his character depth despite the screenplay’s shortcomings. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/the-amateur-review-rami-malek/)
- **Eye for Film**, Andrew Robertson (25/100, inferred): The critic finds the film derivative and unremarkable, advising readers to spend their time and money elsewhere. They note the strong cast and occasional good supporting performances, but say the film fails to develop its premise into something distinctive. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-amateur-2025-film-review-by-andrew-robertson)

## Details

- **Director:** James Hawes
- **Director:** James Hawes
- **Screenplay:** Ken Nolan, Gary Spinelli
- **Novel:** Robert Littell
- **Cinematography:** Martin Ruhe
- **Editor:** Jonathan Amos
- **Music:** Hauschka
- **Production design:** Maria Djurkovic
- **Costume design:** Suzie Harman
- **Producer:** Hutch Parker, Dan Wilson, Rami Malek
- **Cast:** Rami Malek as Heller; Holt McCallany as Director Moore; Danny Sapani as Caleb; Rachel Brosnahan as Sarah; Michael Stuhlbarg as Schiller; Laurence Fishburne as Henderson; Julianne Nicholson as Director O'Brien; Caitríona Balfe as Inquiline
- **Runtime:** 2h 03m
- **Certificate (Medietilsynet):** 12
- **Release (Norway):** 17 July 2025
- **Genres:** Thriller, Action
- **Budget:** $60 million
- **Box office:** $96 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCWcK4c-F8Q

## Where to watch in Norway

- Disney+: streaming, uhd
- Amazon Prime Video: rent kr 49.00, uhd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy kr 149.00, uhd

*Checked 2026-09-26.*

Also available in: AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, TR, US. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/the-amateur