One of the Best Thrillers of 2025 Is Already an Instant Hit on Streaming

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Despite not creating a stir at the box office, “The Amateur” has undeniably struck a chord with viewers at home. The film was recently added to Disney+, and it’s currently leading the pack as the most-watched movie on the streaming platform by a significant margin. According to FlixPatrol, an analytics aggregator, “The Amateur” garnered nearly double the views of its closest competitor last week, which was “Z-O-M-B-I-E-S 4: Dawn of the Vampires“. It even outperformed recent releases from big franchises like “Snow White” and “Captain America: Brave New World“. The spike in viewership suggests that there is indeed an appetite for this movie, even though it didn’t attract theater-goers.

Title character Rami Malek portrays CIA cryptographer Charlie Heller, skilled in covert operations and intelligence gathering despite his desk job. When his spouse is tragically murdered, he defies his colleagues’ counsel by venturing into the field to avenge her death. Along the way, his exceptional abilities enable him to uncover hidden plots. The film additionally features performances from Laurence Fishburne, Julianne Nicholson, and Jon Bernthal, among others.

This action-thriller has an intriguing plot twist: instead of a typical hero who’s solely focused on his mission, our protagonist Charlie grapples with ethical dilemmas, particularly while pursuing revenge. Unlike other spies, he prefers improvised traps over head-on battles, leading to some intense and dynamic scenes. However, some reviewers feel that the action fails to resonate without a strong emotional backbone in the film itself.

As I compose this text, “The Amateur” boasts a 60% favorable rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 186 professional critic assessments. Yet, the audience’s approval is significantly higher – an impressive 88% positive score on Popcornmeter, with over 2,500 verified user reviews. Many of these reviews were submitted this weekend, likely from viewers who chose to stream the movie’s debut. It’s plausible that the rating will increase further since the film is now accessible to its intended audience at home.

Unfortunately, even though the streaming release might vindicate The Amateur, it may still not yield a profit. The film grossed $96 million worldwide, which surpasses its production budget of $60 million, but considering marketing and distribution costs, it’s probable that it falls short. Such viewing patterns often prompt studios to shy away from untested films, opting instead for established franchises or remakes whenever feasible.

Right now, you can watch “The Amateur” on Disney+. Alternatively, it’s up for digital rental or purchase at PVOD outlets, or you can buy the Blu-ray or DVD version if you prefer a physical copy.

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2025-07-21 17:40