If an action-thriller movie set in the world of spies and global intelligence networks draws frequent comparisons to the Jason Bourne movies, it’s certainly not a bad thing. That was the case for “The Amateur,” which landed in theaters last spring and took such clear inspiration from the Bourne series that it almost felt like a forgotten sixth entry.
It doesn’t quite match the quality of the original Bourne trilogy, but it’s a real cut above the following two installments (2012’s “The Bourne Legacy” and 2016’s “Jason Bourne”). Starring Oscar-winning Rami Malek, also known for his role in TV’s “Mr. Robot,” and with a compelling globe-trotting story centered on a quest for revenge, it’s a worthwhile watch.
Upon release, the $60 million movie grossed $96 million at the box office, a respectable but hardly spectacular result. However, it’s just been added to the Prime Video movie library, which could be the platform for the flick to reach a wider audience and receive extra attention. If you’re an action-thriller aficionado looking for a movie that will keep you engaged from start to finish, here’s why “The Amateur” is a Bourne-like film that deserves your watch time this weekend.
What is ‘The Amateur’ about?
Based on the Robert Littell novel (not Robert Ludlum, who wrote the Bourne books), Charlie Heller (Malek) is a CIA decoder whose entire world is shattered when his beloved wife, Sarah (Rachel Brosnahan), travels to London for a business trip and a senseless tragedy strikes.
In the British capital, Sarah is murdered in a terrorist attack, sending Charlie into a deep depression. Using his professional skills, he profiles those responsible and demands his CIA superior bring them to justice. He’s stunned when they refuse to take direct action.
Resorting to blackmail, he demands that his bosses provide him with the necessary military training to take on the job and asks for immunity to hunt down the assailants himself. But Charlie is no veteran agent, and as he travels the globe to find the men who killed his wife, he has to rely on his brains, using his eye for detail and cunning to stay one step ahead of his targets.
‘The Amateur’ is a gritty thriller you should stream this weekend
Unlike spy contemporaries like “Mission: Impossible” or classic James Bond movies, “The Amateur” is a cold and calculating action-thriller. It doesn’t rely on levity to break the tension, instead taking its subject matter as seriously as Charlie takes his quest for revenge.
It’s a strong choice of tone. Not only does the gritty nature of “The Amateur” reflect the morally grey world of international espionage that Charlie finds himself in, but it also demands that audiences take the movie seriously. The movie also isn’t afraid to question if Charlie has fallen into obsession, even if it ultimately judges his actions largely favorably.
It does have some pacing issues in the early stages. After Rachel’s death, Charlie begins his training under the eye of a gruff mentor (Laurence Fisbourne). You might get a little restless waiting for his mission to begin as the training section drags on, but once he jets off to Paris to start striking names off his hit list, the momentum quickly picks up.
Charlie’s first attempt to execute one of the men responsible for his wife’s death goes south very fast, but over the course of the movie, he becomes a slick operator. He discovers his skills lie in carefully planned attacks, using his brains to draw his enemies into elaborate traps. A late-movie scene set on a rooftop pool in Madrid showcases what a ruthless killer he’s become, and it’s a real high point. It’s a shame the trailer totally spoils the best part.
As the film progresses, “The Amateurs’” narrative scope widens, with Charlie taking on new allies, such as a contact codenamed “Inquiline” (Caitríona Balfe), and Jon Bernthal is thrown into the mix as a CIA operative keeping watch of Charlie. And because this is a spy movie, there’s also a big old scoop of government conspiracy unspooling.
Holding an 87% score from viewers on the review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes, it’s clear that I’m not alone in my appreciation of this slick action-thriller. The critics' score is lower at 61%, but I think this rating is a little harsh. “The Amateur” might not reinvent the genre, but it’s as well-executed as one of Charlie’s meticulously crafted plans. Plus, with emotional stakes at play, you’ll be invested in the mission and rooting for Charlie to avenge his murdered wife.
Not feeling like “The Amateur” is worthy of your watchlist? Here’s a guide to everything new on Prime Video in July 2026 with plenty of movies to keep you entertained this weekend.
Watch "The Amateur" on Prime Video now
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