The trailer for The Amateur, an action-thriller from 20th Century Studios, has dropped, giving viewers a glimpse into the gripping story of a CIA cryptographer turned vengeful avenger. Rami Malek plays Charles Heller, a seemingly ordinary computer geek, who is thrust into an extraordinary mission after his wife’s tragic death at the hands of a terrorist group. The trailer raises the question: What happens when an unassuming tech expert sets out to bring down terrorists in pursuit of revenge?
Charles Heller- Cryptographer to Avenger
In the opening moments of the trailer, Charles Heller (Malek) is introduced as a cryptographer working for the CIA. He leads a relatively quiet life with his wife, played by Rachel Brosnahan. The couple shares a moment where Heller brushes off the weight of his work, admitting that he doesn’t concern himself with the CIA’s operations.
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“You ever wonder what they do with all the stuff you dig up for them? You never wonder?” Brosnahan’s character asks. Heller responds with a detached attitude, saying, “That’s not my job. It’s the CIA I gotta trust that they’ll make the right call. Maybe it’s better not to know.”
This calm, ordinary life is shattered when Heller watches the news and discovers that his wife has been killed in a terrorist attack. Devastated by her death, Heller embarks on a personal mission to avenge her. Rejecting the CIA’s attempts to handle the case quietly, he demands to be involved, insisting on mission-specific training, a new identity, and cash to carry out the revenge himself.
Heller’s Transformation and Struggle
Despite his apparent lack of combat experience, Heller refuses to back down. In a striking scene, he asks for professional training in killing techniques. Laurence Fishburne plays his trainer, warning him of his limitations: “You can’t do what I do no matter how much I train you. You’re just not a killer, Charlie.” This advice proves true, as Heller’s early attempts at violence fail miserably.
However, Heller’s intelligence and resourcefulness soon come into play. As a cryptographer, he is no stranger to hacking and problem-solving, and he uses these skills to devise clever ways to track and confront the terrorists responsible for his wife’s death. His geekiness may not make him a natural killer, but it allows him to outwit his enemies and bring his own form of justice.
More On The Amateur and Rami Malek
The film, directed by James Hawes (known for Slow Horses), is adapted from Robert Littell’s 1981 novel. The story follows a CIA cryptographer who, after losing his wife in a terrorist attack, blackmails the agency into giving him the resources he needs to pursue the killers. The film promises a thrilling blend of action, intellect, and suspense, with Heller using his unique skills to fight back against a much larger force.
Rami Malek’s second foray into the action-thriller genre, following The Little Things (2021), showcases his versatility as an actor. He also had notable roles in No Time to Die (2021) and Oppenheimer (2023), making his transition into action-oriented films more pronounced.
The Amateur will hit theaters on April 11, 2025, promising an intense, emotional journey for Malek’s character as he seeks justice for his wife’s death.
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