James Hawes The Amateur is a confident thriller that mixes Jason Bourne with Mr. Robot. That is to say it blends cerebral intrigue with the high-stakes intensity. It also plays like a nostalgic nod to the political action thrillers of the '90s and early 2000s—and for the most part, it hits the mark. Much of that success is thanks to a solid and reliable cast, anchored by a dialed-in and oh-so compelling Rami Malek. Malek makes for quite the convincing avenger—not the type to win a brawl with brute force, but rather someone who weaponizes intelligence to orchestrate chaos. His “thinking man’s” kills are a big part of the film’s appeal, keeping you hooked to see what clever twist he’ll pull off next. That said, The Amateur leans heavily into well-worn genre tropes: the cat-and-mouse chases, the “good guys are really the bad guys” stuff—it’s all here, and it’s all very familiar. And, well, that familiarity is ultimately the film’s main weakness. While competently executed, it doesn’t bring quite enough fresh ideas to stand out amongst other globe-trotting thrillers. However, what’s here is done with skill and consistency, making it an enjoyable ride from start to finish. Clearly, this wasn’t made by amateurs…