Movies

The Amateur review: Gripping spy thriller is an ideal watch for Slow Horses fans

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For fans eagerly anticipating season five of “Slow Horses”, the upcoming spy thriller could certainly satiate their longing, as it might not be the freshest endeavor for Jackson Lamb and his team, but a new offering that’s sure to feel familiar.

The film is an adaptation of Robert Littell’s novel, featuring Rami Malek as Charlie Heller, a gifted code-breaker for the CIA, stationed in a subterranean office. Despite his wife Sarah’s (portrayed by Rachel Brosnahan) attempts to bring him out of his shell, Charlie remains an introverted individual.

Following another attempt to persuade Heller to accompany her on a business trip to London falling through, Sarah sets off for the UK instead, leaving Heller to his familiar daily routine. However, Heller’s well-organized life is disrupted when Sarah is tragically killed in a terrorist attack shortly after touching down in London.

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Tormented by guilt and with no action taken by his superiors, Heller decides to undertake a risky endeavor to find the ones accountable for Sarah’s demise and seek retribution. Is Heller, in this situation, a ruthless operative capable of lethal actions, or should he have remained ensconced at his desk?

Even though you may already be aware of the final destination for “The Amateur“, it doesn’t make the journey any less thrilling as it unfolds.

We’ve drawn a parallel between our film and “Slow Horses,” not just because it falls under the spy thriller genre. The movie is helmed by director James Hawes, who also directed the initial season of “Slow Horses.” Similarly to that series, the protagonist, Heller, is an outsider who struggles to find his place within the CIA.

In a nutshell, everyone seems to undervalue him in terms of his passion for avenging his wife’s murder. Apart from field agent Jackson O’Brien (Jon Bernthal), who took time to acknowledge him due to Heller having saved his life previously, most others within the agency don’t seem too interested. As for the CIA, it is important to note that Heller initially appears ineffective at spy-related tasks.

Although The Amateur’s scenario is quite severe, it also acknowledges the ridiculous humor that surfaces when Heller, in typical Slow Horses style, bungles his attempts at spying. For instance, he resorts to a YouTube tutorial to pick a lock, and manages to survive his initial assassination attempt purely by chance.

Essentially, despite appearances, Heller isn’t actually dumb. The novel, “The Amateur,” reveals why we’re so drawn to spy thrillers, including “Slow Horses.” Regardless of what his superiors or adversaries might believe about him, Heller always manages to surprise us with a clever move up his sleeve. By the end of the story, he remains an amateur, but his use of narrative tricks is delightfully smart and captivating.

Rami Malek demonstrates a remarkable suitability for this role, given its similarities to his time on “Mr. Robot.” He convincingly portrays the socially awkward decoder and assassin spy, while also delivering an engaging, unforeseen dynamic with his CIA handler Henderson (the captivating Laurence Fishburne).

As a devoted admirer, I must admit that he skillfully navigates the seemingly excessive application of ‘the dead wife trope’ in “The Amateur.” Although the film’s portrayal of grief falls short in depth, there is one scene – a poignant conversation between Heller and his ally Inquiline (played by Caitríona Balfe) – that stands out. It captures the essence of the void left after a partner’s demise, when people attempt to fill the silence, but this moment is more of an exception rather than the norm in the film.

Fortunately, I found that The Amateur offers engaging set pieces that help navigate its somewhat familiar storyline. Heller cleverly uses his wit instead of weapons to pursue Sarah’s killers, resulting in nerve-wracking and uniquely crafted scenes. While the pool sequence may look familiar from the trailers, it’s debatable whether the heart-stopping ‘death by pollen’ scene doesn’t outdo it. As a hay fever sufferer, I can tell you that this scene is sure to send shivers down your spine!

For those who appreciate a meticulously crafted spy thriller that unfolds slowly yet surely, I found “The Amateur” to be an undeniable masterpiece in its genre. Even with its deliberate pace, it might be too subtle for some viewers’ taste, but for me, it’s an expert in the realm of espionage storytelling.

The Amateur is released in cinemas on April 11.

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2025-04-08 19:50

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