“Did you ever take into account the things I’m good at?” Rami Malek’s character, Charlie, asks in The Amateur — by the end of the film, there’s no doubt he’s good at a lot. Armed with an IQ of 170 and a quiet but fierce resolve, Charlie outwits CIA operatives and international villains alike in this stylish, globe-trotting revenge thriller.

This marks Malek’s first turn as the lead in a full-fledged action film, and he brings an unexpected gravity to the role. As a quiet, bookish CIA codebreaker thrust into personal tragedy, he convincingly evolves into a steely, if implausibly capable, vigilante. It’s a big swing for the Oscar winner — who also serves as a first-time producer on the film — and while the story may stretch credibility, Malek grounds it with intensity and emotional weight.

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For those unfamiliar with the plot: Charlie’s wife is brutally murdered in a terrorist attack. When he loses faith in the CIA’s ability to deliver justice, he takes matters into his own hands. What follows is a calculated campaign of vengeance that crisscrosses continents and leaves a trail of bodies in its wake.

There’s a lot to admire here. The core premise, adapted from Robert Littell’s 1981 novel, hooks the audience from the start. The cinematography is lush and varied, transporting us from one international locale to another with style. And the performances — not just from Malek, but the entire supporting cast — are uniformly strong. Even minor characters feel sharply drawn and well-acted.

But for all its strengths, The Amateur has its flaws. The plot is densely packed, perhaps too much so. With a multitude of characters and shifting allegiances, it can be hard to keep track of who’s who — especially when you’re trying to relax and enjoy what should be a sleek revenge thriller.

Then there’s the issue of plausibility. Suspension of disbelief is a must for a movie like this, but The Amateur stretches that suspension to the breaking point. At times, it makes James Bond seem like a realist drama. And while the film starts with a bang, its pacing becomes uneven — a propulsive first act gives way to a sluggish midsection, making the two-hour runtime feel longer than necessary.

Still, even with its narrative excesses and logic gaps, The Amateur entertains. Malek’s performance alone is worth the price of admission, and the film offers enough thrills, atmosphere, and cinematic flair to satisfy fans of the genre. Just don’t forget to bring your mental notepad — or your disbelief suspenders.

Grade: B

About The Peetimes: It was very difficult to identify good Peetimes because of a highly detailed complex plot (multiple storylines), numerous characters, and action-packed scenes.

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However, three Peetimes were identified. Both the first and second Peetimes are fine, but the third one should only be used in emergency cases.

There are no extra scenes during, or after, the end credits of The Amateur.

Plot
A CIA cryptographer manages to blackmail his agency into training him to let him go after a group of terrorists who killed his wife.