The Amateur

The Amateur

Year: 2016

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: Italian

Director: Maria Mauti

Documentary

This documentary explores the life and legacy of Piero Portaluppi, a Milanese architect celebrated during the Fascist regime. Through the rediscovery of his work and a recently unearthed, personal film diary shot in 16mm, the film offers a unique perspective on a man of charm and influence. Portaluppi's ironic detachment provides a fascinating lens through which to view a grand but tragic era, as history dramatically reshapes the world of his family and artistic endeavors.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Amateur (2016)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Amateur (2016). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Contemporary (present day)

The film is set in the current era, showcasing modern technology, surveillance, and covert operations. It reflects recent geopolitical tensions and the use of advanced drone technology, consistent with current military and intelligence capabilities.

Location

London, Paris, Marseille, Istanbul, Madrid, Romania, Primorsk, Baltic Sea

The movie traverses multiple global locations, reflecting a high-stakes espionage backdrop. London and Paris serve as pivotal urban centers for political intrigue, while Marseille and Madrid provide contrasting settings for clandestine meetings and confrontations. Istanbul and Romania contribute to the international espionage landscape, with maritime and rural environments adding depth to the story's scope.

🌍 Urban 🌉 Historic 🏙️ Metropolitan 🚢 Coastal

Last Updated: August 05, 2025 at 06:53

Main Characters – The Amateur (2016)

Meet the key characters of The Amateur (2016), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Charlie Heller (Rami Malek)

A skilled cryptographer working for the CIA, Charlie is driven by a need for justice following his wife’s death. His intelligence and resourcefulness are evident, but his emotional vulnerability adds depth to his character as he seeks revenge outside official channels.

🧠 Genius 💔 Grieving ⚠️ Determined

Sarah

Charlie’s wife, whose death sparks his quest for justice. Her presence in the story is emotional, symbolizing the personal stakes underlying the espionage storyline.

💖 Absent 💔 Wounded 🕊️ Sacrificed

The Bear (Jon Bernthal)

A field agent and Charlie’s friend, The Bear provides support and combat expertise. His loyalty and protective instincts are pivotal in Charlie’s dangerous pursuits.

🛡️ Loyal 💪 Tough 🤝 Supportive

Gretchen Frank (Barbara Probst)

A suspect with ties to the terrorists, Gretchen’s medical background conceals her sinister involvement. Her confrontation with Charlie reveals her resilience and the moral dilemmas faced by characters caught in violence.

🧪 Cunning 💥 Dangerous 🛑 Fragile

Schiller (Michael Stuhlbarg)

One of the terrorist leaders, Schiller defends his actions as necessary, embodying the complex justification of violence used in espionage conflicts. His confrontation with Charlie reveals deep moral ambiguities.

🎭 Ruthless ⚖️ Justified 🌐 Manipulative

Davies (Catriona Balfe)

Widow of a murdered KGB officer, Davies aids Charlie in tracking down Schiller. Her physical and emotional support highlight themes of loss and resilience.

🎯 Resourceful 💔 Traumatized 🤝 Loyal

Hendo (Laurence Fishburne)

A military officer tasked with training Charlie, Hendo’s skepticism contrasts with his eventual respect for Charlie’s capabilities. He represents authority and pragmatic realism.

🎖️ Authoritative 🧑‍✈️ Experienced 🧊 Pragmatic

O’Brien (Julianne Nicholson)

CIA director involved in cover-ups and orchestrating the narrative around Charlie’s actions. Her leadership reflects institutional control and moral complexity.

🎯 authoritative 🏛️ Politically savvy 🕶️ Secretive

Last Updated: August 05, 2025 at 06:53

Major Themes – The Amateur (2016)

Explore the central themes of The Amateur (2016), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️‍♂️ Espionage

The film explores espionage and undercover operations, depicting the complexities and moral ambiguities faced by intelligence agents. The protagonist's journey delves into themes of trust, betrayal, and the secret battles conducted behind the scenes of international diplomacy.

🧩 Loss and Revenge

The story centers around personal loss—particularly the death of Sarah—and subsequent revenge. The protagonist's actions are driven by grief and a desire for justice, highlighting how personal vendettas intersect with professional duty in the espionage world.

🔒 Secrecy and Truth

Secrecy is a dominant theme, as characters conceal truths and engage in deception to protect or reveal information. The narrative emphasizes the thin line between truth and lies in the shadowy realm of intelligence work.

Last Updated: August 05, 2025 at 06:53

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Revenge thrillers driven by grief like The Amateur

A shattered protagonist turns personal tragedy into a ruthless quest for justice.If you liked The Amateur's focus on a protagonist using specialized skills for revenge after a devastating personal loss, you'll find similar movies here. These stories explore the dark, driven path of vengeance, where the quest for justice is deeply intertwined with mourning and sacrifice.

vengefuldrivengrievingtensemethodicalgrimsuspenseful

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a character who, after a traumatic event shatters their world, embarks on a dangerous and often solitary mission. They utilize their unique skills or knowledge, moving methodically through a world of corruption and violence, with the line between justice and revenge becoming increasingly blurred.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared core of a grief-to-vengeance character arc, high emotional stakes, and a tone that is both dark and intensely driven. The pacing is often fast and relentless, mirroring the protagonist's uncompromising focus.

Political conspiracy thrillers with personal stakes like The Amateur

One individual uncovers a dangerous web of corruption that hits close to home.Fans of The Amateur's blend of a rogue mission and uncovering government corruption will enjoy these movies. This thread collects thrillers where a character's personal quest leads them into a dangerous conspiracy, making the political deeply personal.

tensesuspensefulparanoidconspiratorialgrimmethodicaldriven

Narrative Summary

The plot revolves around a character stumbling upon or deliberately investigating a secretive, powerful conspiracy. As they dig deeper, the threat escalates from professional to personal, often putting their own life or the lives of those they care about in immediate danger. The narrative is a tense cat-and-mouse game against a faceless enemy.

Why These Movies?

This thread unites films with a specific narrative structure: a personal catalyst exposes a larger political or corporate conspiracy. They share a tense, suspenseful mood, fast pacing as the mystery unravels, and a dark tone due to the themes of corruption and betrayal.

Unlock the Full Story of The Amateur

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Amateur in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Amateur is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Amateur Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Amateur, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Amateur Summary

The Amateur Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Amateur with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Amateur Timeline

The Amateur Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Amateur that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

The Amateur Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Amateur

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Amateur: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Amateur