20th Century Studios THE AMATEUR is the story of Charlie Heller, a brilliant, but deeply introverted decoder for the CIA working out of a basement office at headquarters in Langley, whose life is turned upside down when his wife is killed in a London terrorist attack.
When his supervisors refuse to take action, he takes matters into his own hands, embarking on a dangerous trek across the globe to track down those responsible, his intelligence serving as the ultimate weapon for eluding his pursuers and achieving his revenge.
A seemingly unremarkable man with no formal field training, Heller is thrust into a world of covert operations, international crime, and moral dilemmas as he seeks justice for Sarah’s murder. What begins as a quest for vengeance soon transforms into something deeper: a journey through grief, the breakdown of institutional trust, and the realization that revenge might not offer the closure he seeks.
This gritty, globe-trotting revenge spy thriller is directed by James Hawes. THE AMATEUR stars Academy Award winner Rami Malek, Rachel Brosnahan, Caitríona Balfe, Jon Bernthal, Michael Stuhlbarg, Holt McCallany, Julianne Nicholson, Adrian Martinez, Danny Sapani, and Academy Award nominee Laurence Fishburne.
Perhaps best known for her breakout portrayal in the hit series “Outlander” and alongside Jamie Dornan, Judi Dench, and Ciaran Hinds in Kenneth Branagh’s acclaimed film “Belfast”, BAFTA-winning and Golden Globe-nominated Irish actor Caitríona Balfe plays Inquiline, Heller’s online asset. She is a hacker, with whom he communicates via secure messages online. She becomes both an ally and a moral counterweight, forcing Heller to question the cost of vengeance and his increasingly blurred sense of right and wrong. “She’s not really part of any intelligence community,” Balfe explains. “She’s a lone wolf.”
Malek’s focus and generosity as an actor were key to creating an engaging, collaborative atmosphere on set. “It was impressive to see him at work and just see how laser-focused he is and how he is able to just be so present in a moment,” Balfe says, “as well as what a generous actor he is.”
This attention to detail and respect for the craft undoubtedly influenced the depth of Malek’s portrayal of Heller, a character who feels both real and transcendent. Her transformation from an online contact to a partner in the real world is one of the film’s most striking elements. “Inquiline has been two people,” Balfe continues. “Inquiline’s backstory unfolds gradually, revealing a complex character who, like Charlie, is driven by a quest for justice but also the weight of loss. “What’s beautiful to watch is how they tentatively get to know each other,” Balfe says of her relationship with Heller. “They understand each other in many ways, and it’s wonderful to see how their trust unfolds, scene after scene.”
Balfe also cherished the time spent filming in Marseille. “We shot in this really incredible little fishing community,” she says. “It was this tiny little town on the sea, and it had such a unique atmosphere. It was standing in for exteriors of Istanbul, and we had this great little cottage that was Inquiline’s hideout.”
The authenticity of this coastal setting added depth to the story, as Balfe explains, “Not only was the set itself incredible, but then you went outside and everything else just filled in so many sensory gaps.”
Photo by John Wilson. © 2024 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
