The Amateur: The Amateur: Full list of cast explored

The Amateur is an upcoming American vigilante action spy thriller film based on the 1981 novel of the same name by Robert Littell. The novel was also adapted into a 1981 Canadian film with the same name. The film is written by Ken Nolan and Gary Spinelli, and directed by James Hawes. It is scheduled to be released in theaters across the United States by 20th Century Studios on April 11, 2025.

The story follows Rami Malek as Charles Heller, a CIA cryptographer whose life changes after his wife is killed in a London terrorist strike. Heller becomes a vigilante, taking matters into his own hands since he is frustrated with his superiors for doing nothing.

The Amateur has a runtime of 123 minutes and showcases how a regular guy bravely enters a perilous realm to stand up for what he thinks is right. The film follows his quest for justice, retribution, and self-discovery. The movie is acclaimed by critics and audiences alike. On the film and television rating website Rotten Tomatoes, The Amateur has been certified with an audience score of 87%.

Exploring the cast of The Amateur

The Amateur has a star-studded cast, led by acclaimed actors of the action spy thriller genre. The main characters are:

Rami Malek as Charles Heller

World Premiere of The Amateur (Image via Getty)

In The Amateur, Rami Malek portrays Charles "Charlie" Heller, a brilliant and introverted CIA cryptographer stationed in a basement office at Langley. Charlie's life is upended when his wife, Sarah (Rachel Brosnahan), is killed in a London terrorist attack. When his superiors don't take action, he decides to take matters into his own hands, embarking on a dangerous mission with the aim of tracking down those responsible, using his intelligence as his ultimate weapon.

Malek has been the recipient of many awards such as a Primetime Emmy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Golden Globe Award for his work. He is known for his work in Oppenheimer (2023), Blackout (2019-present), and No Time to Die (2021).

Rachel Brosnahan as Sarah

Rachel Brosnahan portrays Sarah in the movie, the wife of CIA cryptographer Charles Heller. Sarah's tragic death in a London terrorist attack serves as the catalyst for the film's plot, propelling Charles on a relentless quest for vengeance.

Brosnahan has numerous notable film credits under her belt, such as Dead for a Dollar (2022) and I'm Your Woman (2020). She can also be seen in multiple popular television series, like 50 States of Fright (2020), Manhattan (2014-2015), and Black Box (2014).

Laurence Fishburne as Henderson

SiriusXM's Town Hall With The Cast Of The Amateur Hosted By Ron Bennington (image via Getty)

Laurence Fishburne portrays Robert Henderson, a seasoned retired colonel specializing in training field agents. Henderson becomes a pivotal figure in guiding Heller as he transforms from a desk-bound analyst into a field operative seeking vengeance for his wife's death.

Fishburne is famous for starring in The Matrix (1999) and the TV series What If...? (2023-2024), Black-ish (2014-2022), and Grown-ish (2018-2022).

Jon Bernthal as The Bear

CinemaCon 2025 - Amazon MGM Studios Presentation - Arrivals (Image via Getty)

Jon Bernthal portrays Jackson O'Brien, also known as "The Bear." Specific details about his character are limited.

Before starting his career in the entertainment industry, he was a professional baseball player. His famous works include Daredevil: Born Again (2025), Origin (2023), and American Gigolo (2022).

Holt McCallany as CIA Deputy Director Moore

In The Amateur, Holt McCallany portrays CIA Deputy Director Alex Moore. Moore is characterized as a "kill-whoever-we-want" kind of guy who has spent his career behind a desk.

Holt starred in the Netflix series Mindhunter (2017-2019). He has also starred in 61st Street (2022) and Fight Club (1999).

Some of the supporting cast is listed as follows:

Caitríona Balfe as Inquiline Davies
Michael Stuhlbarg as Sean Schiller
Julianne Nicholson as Samantha O'Brien
Adrian Martinez as Carlos
Danny Sapani as Caleb Horowitz
Takehiro Hira as The Professor
Marc Rissmann as Mishka Blazhic
Joseph Millson as Ellish
Alice Hewkin as Ali Park

The Amateur is set to premiere in theaters on April 11, 2025.

About the author

Sudipta Sinha is an Entertainment Writer at Sportskeeda. She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Calcutta (2022) and has four years of experience in the digital media landscape.

Before joining Sportskeeda, Sudipta honed her skills as a content creator for the education vertical at ABP Digital-The Telegraph Online, where she worked for over two years. She also gained experience as a news writer while working with various digital portals.

Her commitment to quality content is reflected in her recent success in launching a culture and lifestyle blog. Sudipta prioritizes accuracy and ethical reporting through diligent research, an inquisitive mindset, and a commitment to valuing expert opinions.

She admires Jon Stewart, John Oliver, and Trevor Noah for their ability to address complex issues with a light-hearted approach. Beyond writing, she enjoys photography, reading, and watching TV shows. If given the chance, she would love to relive the magic of the Harry Potter franchise, a world that shaped her childhood imagination.

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Edited by Ankita Barat