The Amateur is no amateur in the movie world. It marks the second time Robert Littell’s 1981 novel has been brought to the screen. The action thriller will arrive in U.S. theaters on Apr. 11, 2025.
Top prediction platform Kalshi launched a market for The Amateur’s Rotten Tomatoes score on March 7, 2025. As of March 31, the market has a trading volume of over $30,000, with a high forecasted score of 74.3 and a low of 61.5. The forecast currently sits at closer to 60.
Before the market resolves on Apr. 14, 2025, at 10:00 am ET, here’s what you need to know about The Amateur.
'The Amateur' Rotten Tomatoes predictions
- Above 45 (96%)
- Above 60 (64%)
- Above 75 (41%)
- Above 90 (4%)
What is ‘The Amateur’?
The first film adaptation was a Canadian film released in the same year as the book. This new adaptation began to be developed in 2006 and finally started filming in 2023.
Charlie Heller (Malek) is 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
The well-known cast includes Rami Malek, Rachel Brosnahan, Jon Bernthal, Michael Stuhlbarg, Holt McCallany, Julianne Nicholson, Adrian Martinez, Danny Sapani, and Laurence Fishburne. James Hawes directed the film, which was written by Ken Nolan and Gary Spinelli.
London was buzzing with excitement as the cast of #TheAmateur, including #RamiMalek, #LaurenceFishburne, #CaitrionaBalfe, and director #JamesHawes, were all smiles at the European premiere! 🌟 🎬
— On The Red Carpet (@OnTheRedCarpet) March 31, 2025
Catch the high-stakes espionage thriller “The Amateur” in theaters April 11. pic.twitter.com/8RgvIwPNxz
Critical reception of action books' film-adaptations
Plenty of action/thriller books have been adapted into films, and when successful, these books are expanded into larger franchises. But are they always critically successful?
Movie | Rotten Tomatoes Score |
The Godfather (1972) | 97% |
The Amateur (1981) | N/A |
First Blood (1982) | 86% |
Die Hard (1988) | 94% |
The Bourne Identity (2002) | 84% |
Casino Royale (2006) | 94% |
Jack Reacher (2012) | 64% |
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014) | 55% |
A Walk Among the Tombstones (2014) | 68% |
Bullet Train (2022) | 53% |
These films have ranged from iconic films like The Godfather to more forgettable movies like Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit. Over the years, these adaptations have decreased in their Rotten Tomatoes scores.
The average score of these adaptations is 77, but they are heavily pulled by older films rather than those made in the last 15 years. The first adaptation of The Amateur only had four critical reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, and three out of four were positive. Hopefully, the positive aspects of all of these films were adopted for this adaptation.
Director Hawes has only directed two other films that have received Rotten Tomatoes scores of impressive 92 and 90. However, neither of these two films (The Challenger Disaster and One Life) is in the same genre as The Amateur.
One of the screenwriters, Nolan, has three films with scores on Rotten Tomatoes – Only the Brave (87%), Transformers: The Last Knight (16%), and Black Hawk Down (76%). Two out of three Fresh scores are great, but the 16% is concerning. The other screenwriter, Spinelli, has one film with a score – American Made (85%).
Prepare to see the “most exciting spy thriller in years” on the big screen at #AMCTheatres. #TheAmateur, starring Rami Malek, arrives 4/11!https://t.co/ZVv3nc4yFq pic.twitter.com/H1AWNMb7Fq
— AMC Theatres (@AMCTheatres) March 30, 2025
Featured in this trailer are two reviews that have not been released. Deadline’s Pete Hammond says it’s “one of the most exciting spy thrillers in years.” Screenrant’s Ash Crossan says, “A tense unpredictable ride… surprises at every turn.”
With impressive talent behind the camera and a strong cast, The Amateur has the potential to stand out in the crowded action-thriller genre. While past adaptations of spy novels have seen varied critical success, the film’s early buzz suggests it could land on the higher end of the spectrum.
