The Amateur 2025 Review: A Slow-Burn Spy Thriller Anchored by Rami Malek’s Unshakable Performance

In The Amateur (2025), Rami Malek once again proves why he’s one of the most compelling actors working today. This gripping espionage thriller leans heavily on psychological nuance, emotional depth, and slow-burning intensity—and Malek carries it all with subtle brilliance.

This The Amateur 2025 review dives into what makes this cerebral thriller stand out in a crowded genre.

Rami Malek Never Disappoints – And This Is Why

At the core of The Amateur is Malek’s portrayal of Charles Heller, a grieving CIA cryptographer who becomes an unlikely agent of revenge. His quiet intensity builds scene by scene, drawing you in with every twitch, glance, and understated line. It’s a performance that rewards patience—and demands attention.

• Performance Highlight: Malek’s emotional restraint explodes in pivotal scenes, creating catharsis without melodrama.
• Why It Works: Few actors can make stillness feel so loud—Malek’s internal storm is utterly hypnotic.

A Spy Thriller That Prioritizes Brain Over Bullets

The Amateur doesn’t rush its plot. Instead, it unfolds methodically, following Heller’s moral unraveling as he manipulates the system to avenge a terrorist attack that took his fiancée. The pacing is deliberate, but it pays off in moments of shocking realism and psychological complexity.

• Tone: Somber, calculated, tense.
• Pacing: A true slow burn, but worth every second for those who enjoy espionage with depth.

Direction, Atmosphere, and Cinematography

Directed by James Hawes, The Amateur feels like a European noir injected into the modern CIA thriller. The cold color palette and tight framing mirror the emotional suffocation of the protagonist’s journey, creating an experience that’s as visually impactful as it is emotionally harrowing.

• Visuals: Gritty, intimate, authentic.
• Score: Minimalist and eerie—perfect for the psychological undercurrent.

Final Thoughts – The Amateur Is Anything But

🎬 Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5/5)

This isn’t your average spy movie. The Amateur (2025) is a gripping, cerebral drama elevated by Rami Malek’s signature slow-burn performance. It’s less about explosions and more about internal implosions—making it a standout in the genre for anyone who appreciates depth over spectacle.

Michael Mowbray’s Verdict 👉

If you’re tired of shallow thrillers and craving something with emotional gravity and layered performance, The Amateur is essential viewing. Rami Malek proves once again why slow-burn character development can be far more thrilling than action alone.