Will Ashton returns with another Instant Take, this time tackling The Amateur, a new action-thriller starring Rami Malek (Mr. Robot, Bohemian Rhapsody) as a surveillance tech expert turned reluctant vigilante. With a vibe that borrows from Death Wish and Jason Bourne, the film delivers slick set pieces, familiar genre beats, and a central performance that’s more restrained than revolutionary.

Will explores how The Amateur flirts with deeper character nuance, particularly in its depiction of Malek’s potentially autistic-coded lead. Though the film never explicitly confirms it, the character’s traits raise questions about representation in action movies and whether the film embraces or falls back on tired tropes.

Alongside Malek, the film features a solid supporting cast: Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Laurence Fishburne, John Bernthal, Holt McCallany (Mindhunter), and Julianne Nicholson. Some standout moments include inventive “trap-like” set pieces and moody, high-rise shootouts that pop in premium formats. But Will questions if that’s enough to elevate an otherwise middle-of-the-road revenge thriller.

Will Ashton returns with another Instant Take, this time tackling The Amateur, a new action-thriller starring Rami Malek (Mr. Robot, Bohemian Rhapsody) as a surveillance tech expert turned reluctant vigilante. With a vibe that borrows from Death Wish and Jason Bourne, the film delivers slick set pieces, familiar genre beats, and a central performance that’s more restrained than revolutionary.

Will explores how The Amateur flirts with deeper character nuance, particularly in its depiction of Malek’s potentially autistic-coded lead. Though the film never explicitly confirms it, the character’s traits raise questions about representation in action movies and whether the film embraces or falls back on tired tropes.

Alongside Malek, the film features a solid supporting cast: Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Laurence Fishburne, John Bernthal, Holt McCallany (Mindhunter), and Julianne Nicholson. Some standout moments include inventive “trap-like” set pieces and moody, high-rise shootouts that pop in premium formats. But Will questions if that’s enough to elevate an otherwise middle-of-the-road revenge thriller.

Links:
Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com
Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here.
Check out our Cinemaholics Merch!
Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics!
Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.
Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com
Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here.
Check out our Cinemaholics Merch!
Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics!
Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

Will Ashton returns with another&nbsp;Instant Take, this time tackling&nbsp;The Amateur, a new action-thriller starring Rami Malek (Mr. Robot,&nbsp;Bohemian Rhapsody) as a surveillance tech expert turned reluctant vigilante. With a vibe that borrows from&nbsp;Death Wish&nbsp;and&nbsp;Jason Bourne, the film delivers slick set pieces, familiar genre beats, and a central performance that&rsquo;s more restrained than revolutionary.
Will explores how&nbsp;The Amateur&nbsp;flirts with deeper character nuance, particularly in its depiction of Malek&rsquo;s potentially autistic-coded lead. Though the film never explicitly confirms it, the character&rsquo;s traits raise questions about representation in action movies and whether the film embraces or falls back on tired tropes.
Alongside Malek, the film features a solid supporting cast: Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Laurence Fishburne, John Bernthal, Holt McCallany (Mindhunter), and Julianne Nicholson. Some standout moments include inventive &ldquo;trap-like&rdquo; set pieces and moody, high-rise shootouts that pop in premium formats. But Will questions if that&rsquo;s enough to elevate an otherwise middle-of-the-road revenge thriller.
Will Ashton returns with another&nbsp;Instant Take, this time tackling&nbsp;The Amateur, a new action-thriller starring Rami Malek (Mr. Robot,&nbsp;Bohemian Rhapsody) as a surveillance tech expert turned reluctant vigilante. With a vibe that borrows from&nbsp;Death Wish&nbsp;and&nbsp;Jason Bourne, the film delivers slick set pieces, familiar genre beats, and a central performance that&rsquo;s more restrained than revolutionary.
Will explores how&nbsp;The Amateur&nbsp;flirts with deeper character nuance, particularly in its depiction of Malek&rsquo;s potentially autistic-coded lead. Though the film never explicitly confirms it, the character&rsquo;s traits raise questions about representation in action movies and whether the film embraces or falls back on tired tropes.
Alongside Malek, the film features a solid supporting cast: Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Laurence Fishburne, John Bernthal, Holt McCallany (Mindhunter), and Julianne Nicholson. Some standout moments include inventive &ldquo;trap-like&rdquo; set pieces and moody, high-rise shootouts that pop in premium formats. But Will questions if that&rsquo;s enough to elevate an otherwise middle-of-the-road revenge thriller.
Links:
<ul>
<li>Email your feedback for the show to&nbsp;cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com</li>
<li>Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel&nbsp;<a href="https://discord.gg/wG5g8RR4m2">here</a>.</li>
<li>Check out&nbsp;<a href="https://cinemaholics.com/cinemaholics-merchandise/">our Cinemaholics Merch</a>!</li>
<li>Check out&nbsp;<a href="https://www.patreon.com/cinemaholics">our Patreon</a>&nbsp;to support Cinemaholics!</li>
<li>Connect with Cinemaholics on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/CinemaholicsPodcast/">Facebook</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/cinemaholics___/?hl=en">Instagram</a>.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Email your feedback for the show to&nbsp;cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com</li>
<li>Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel&nbsp;<a href="https://discord.gg/wG5g8RR4m2">here</a>.</li>
<li>Check out&nbsp;<a href="https://cinemaholics.com/cinemaholics-merchandise/">our Cinemaholics Merch</a>!</li>
<li>Check out&nbsp;<a href="https://www.patreon.com/cinemaholics">our Patreon</a>&nbsp;to support Cinemaholics!</li>
<li>Connect with Cinemaholics on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/CinemaholicsPodcast/">Facebook</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/cinemaholics___/?hl=en">Instagram</a>.</li>
</ul>

Don't know what to watch? Join film critics Jon Negroni and Will Ashton for no-nonsense conversations about the latest films coming to theaters and streaming online. They may not always agree, but one thing's for sure. They're both Cinemaholics.

Don't know what to watch? Join film critics Jon Negroni and Will Ashton for no-nonsense conversations about the latest films coming to theaters and streaming online. They may not always agree, but one thing's for sure. They're both Cinemaholics.

Don't know what to watch? Join Jon Negroni of Atom Tickets, Will Ashton of CinemaBlend, and Abby Olcese of The Pitch for no-nonsense conversations about the latest films coming to theaters and streaming online. And tune in to our bonus show, Extra Milestone, where host Sam Noland brings on a different guest each week to spotlight classic film anniversaries.

Advertisement