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The Amateur

The Amateur

Thriller · Action · 2025

After his life is turned upside down when his wife is killed in a London terrorist attack, a brilliant but introverted CIA decoder takes matters into his own hands when his supervisors refuse to take action.

Movie details

The Amateur

“Don't underestimate him.”

2025 Thriller · Action 2h 3m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.9 / 10

Community rating

After his life is turned upside down when his wife is killed in a London terrorist attack, a brilliant but introverted CIA decoder takes matters into his own hands when his supervisors refuse to take action.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over The Amateur?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

James Hawes

Written by

Ken Nolan · Gary Spinelli

Rami Malek

Rami Malek

Heller

Holt McCallany

Holt McCallany

Director Moore

Danny Sapani

Danny Sapani

Caleb

Rachel Brosnahan

Rachel Brosnahan

Sarah

Michael Stuhlbarg

Michael Stuhlbarg

Schiller

Laurence Fishburne

Laurence Fishburne

Henderson

Julianne Nicholson

Julianne Nicholson

Director O'Brien

Court is in session

Put The Amateur on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Adrenaline Seeker

“Momentum is a formal choice.”

The velocity sharpens instinct and tension, making every beat land before self-importance can settle in.

The prosecution The Auteur Devotee

“Speed as an alibi.”

The film races past its weak spots and hopes acceleration will keep the audience from inspecting the evidence.