In recent years, Oscar winner Rami Malek has carved out a niche for himself by portraying socially awkward, psychologically scarred, and eccentric geniuses who span the moral spectrum. From Mr. Robot's Elliot Alderson to No Time To Die's Safin and Bohemian Rhapsody's Freddie Mercury, Malek's range is evident. In James Hawes' upcoming revenge thriller, The Amateur, Malek takes on the role of CIA decoder Charlie Heller, whose life is shattered when his wife (Rachel Brosnahan) is killed in a terrorist attack.
The first trailer for the film, featuring a stellar ensemble including Laurence Fishburne, Caitriona Balfe, Jon Bernthal, and Michael Stuhlbarg, quickly establishes Charlie as another unconventional hero in Malek's repertoire. While he may not be adept with nunchucks, bus interiors, or improvised weapons, Charlie compensates with his technical expertise and a burning desire for vengeance. As he goes rogue, the CIA struggles to track him while he dispenses justice in increasingly creative ways, evoking a grounded, DIY quality reminiscent of Hawes' work on Slow Horses.
Adapted by Ken Nolan and Gary Spinelli from Robert Littell's novel, the official synopsis describes Charlie as a brilliant yet introverted CIA decoder whose life is upended by his wife's death. When his superiors fail to act, he embarks on a global quest for retribution, using his intelligence as his ultimate weapon. With Hawes directing and Malek leading a formidable cast, The Amateur promises a sleek, espionage-infused revenge thriller. The film will reveal whether Charlie's relentless pursuit of vengeance aids his grieving process and healing, or if it merely awakens a dormant, franchise-worthy assassin, when it hits theaters on April 11, 2025.
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