The Amateur * Love Makes People Do Crazy Things
Charlie Heller is a brilliant CIA decoder whose world comes crashing down when his wife dies in a London terrorist attack. When his supervisors refuse to take action, his intelligence becomes the ultimate weapon as he embarks on a dangerous trek across the globe to track down those responsible.
KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Juliana S. comments, “The Amateur is such a captivating film! Through storylines and characters the movie shows how one should live in the moment and appreciate everything that they have… The film’s message is that love makes people do crazy things, and one should never take something for granted.” See her full review below.
The Amateur
By Juliana S, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16
Rami Malek as Heller and Caitriona Balfe as Inquiline in 20th Century Studios’ THE AMATEUR. Photo by John Wilson. © 2024 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
The Amateur is such a captivating film! Through storylines and characters the movie shows how one should live in the moment and appreciate everything that they have.
The story revolves around a young man, Charlie (Rami Malek), who is a hardworking and dedicated CIA agent. After he learns about a destructive terrorist attack in London in which his wife, Sarah (Rachel Brosnahan), is unfortunately killed, he is determined to take immediate, harsh action. However, when the CIA refuses to comply with his requests, Charlie decides to take matters into his own hands. The film follows his difficult journey as he tracks down those who are connected to this wife’s death, diving into the complicated emotional struggles that come with seeking revenge.
Marc Rissmann as Mishka Blazhic and Rami Malek as Heller in 20th Century Studios’ THE AMATEUR. Photo by John Wilson. © 2024 20th Century Studios
One actress who left me wanting to know more about her was Caitríona Balfe, who plays Inquiline, a sharp and humble spy. Balfe not only knows how to play her character, but she truly embodies the very essence of who Inquiline is. She uses her eyes to convey emotions that words could never fully express, from moments of harshness to soft tenderness. Caitríona Balfe’s emotional blue eyes are captivating, pulling the audience deeper and deeper into the story with every glance. Another actor who made me feel as though this is a true story is Rami Malek. Malek plays the determined, quick-witted Charlie Heller with a feeling of authenticity. As an award-winning actor, he shows just how deeply he can live through his character.
Rami Malek uses his body language wonderfully to us through the emotional plot. When Charlie is scared but unable to vocalize it, his hands fidget or shake uncontrollably. In contrast, when he is fearless, his posture and movements become more powerful, and his steps more deliberate, showing a wide range of emotional transformations that can resonate deeply with any one person in the audience.
Laurence Fishburne as Henderson and Rami Malek as Heller in 20th Century Studios’ THE AMATEUR. Photo by John Wilson. © 2025 20th Century Studios.
The film’s message is that love makes people do crazy things, and one should never take something for granted. For me, this film was very successful in motivating me to appreciate the small things in life and live in the moment.
I give The Amateur 5 out of 5 stars, and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. The Amateur releases in theaters on April 11, 2025.
