The Amateur–A Nerd Thriller

In the Hulu spy drama, The Amateur, released June 11, we see Charlie Heller (Rami Malek), a  brilliant, but underappreciated CIA programmer communicating with an unidentified programmer about code that doesn’t seem legit.  Charlie’s  life soon becomes tragic as he watches the news of a London terrorist attack in which  his heroic wife, Sarah (Rachel Brosnahan)  is killed trying to save others. On a dangerous and unauthorized hunt for the terrorists who murdered his wife, Heller becomes a grief-stricken vigilante whose programming and hacking skills uncover a trail  feeding his insistence on retribution.

Filled with the usual fight scenes, explosions, and guessing who can be trusted, the main theme of The Amateur is that intelligence and computer knowledge are oftentimes underestimated but more deadly than conventional weapons. To ensure that assaults from thugs do not defeat him, Heller insists on receiving martial arts and other self-defense training from a CIA operative,    Henderson (Laurence Fishburne), known for being an undefeated master.   And Heller is aided by an  unknown female cryptographer, both of whom are far more lethal than the enemy out to eliminate them.  Both action heroes are slightly built, their small physical frames underscoring that brains can be victorious over brawn.

The Amateur is an engaging, entertaining and highly watchable action-thriller primarily due to Rami Malek’s near monopoly in playing the antisocial geek.  While there may be plot-holes and unexpectedly easy discoveries of who is the culprit, the astounding supporting cast (including Michael Stuhlberg, Julianne Nicholson, and Jon Bernthal) and a perfectly choreographed special effects scene involving a rooftop pool) make The Amateur a satisfying evening’s entertainment for action film fans.

Availability:  Hulu