The recently released trailer of “The Amateur” showcases a former James Bond villain taking on a leading role in a new spy thriller helmed by James Hawes, the director of “Slow Horses”.
Based on the 1981 novel by Robert Littell, which had an earlier film adaptation in the same year, this upcoming espionage thriller revolves around a CIA cryptographer. When his wife is killed in a terrorist attack, the CIA’s internal conflicts lead to his superiors declining to take action. This prompts him, Charlie Heller (played by Rami Malek), a brilliant yet introverted decoder for the CIA, to take matters into his own hands. He embarks on a perilous global adventure to track down those responsible, using his exceptional intelligence skills to evade pursuers and turn his expertise into a weapon for revenge.
20th Century Studios has shared the first official trailer, giving us a glimpse of Malek as Charlie Heller. After the tragic loss of his wife, Charlie’s determination to seek justice sets the stage for a tense and action-packed narrative.
What does the “The Amateur” trailer imply for the movie? It bears similarities to two notable TV shows. Rami Malek’s character in “The Amateur”, a highly intelligent yet introverted CIA decoder, is reminiscent of his role as Elliot Alderson in “Mr. Robot”. Elliot, a cybersecurity engineer and hacker with multiple mental health issues, was a character that won Malek an Emmy. The resemblance in his “The Amateur” role bodes well for this new espionage thriller.
The film also features an impressive cast including Rachel Brosnahan, Caitríona Balfe, Jon Bernthal, Michael Stuhlbarg, Holt McCallany, Julianne Nicholson, Adrian Martinez, Danny Sapani, and Laurence Fishburne.
“The Amateur” also shares some commonalities with the spy thriller “Slow Horses”, the Apple TV series starring Gary Oldman. James Hawes, who directed the first season of “Slow Horses”, reveals that the series influenced “The Amateur” in terms of how it depicts locations. Instead of using postcard-perfect backdrops for the action, it showcases less familiar aspects of iconic cities. Additionally, for “The Amateur”, Hawes drew inspiration from other classic works like “All the President’s Men”, “Three Days of the Condor”, and “Jason Bourne”.
“The Amateur” trailer is that its similarities to “Mr. Robot” and “Slow Horses” should be promising. With Malek reprising a somewhat familiar yet complex role, audiences can expect another nuanced and intense performance, similar to his Emmy-winning portrayal in “Mr. Robot”. Moreover, the involvement of “Slow Horses” director James Hawes, along with what the trailer reveals, suggests a gritty and detailed approach to espionage, grounded in realism rather than flashy settings. Given the critical and commercial success of both shows, “The Amateur” appears set to be a clever and engaging addition to the spy thriller genre.
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