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!

Haven’t seen The Amateur yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – The Amateur (2016)

Trace every key event in The Amateur (2016) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Charlie works in his shed

Charlie Heller (Rami Malek) begins the film working privately in his shed, indicating a solitary and secretive lifestyle. His wife Sarah (Rachel Brosnahan) visits him before leaving for a conference in London, highlighting their close relationship and her upcoming trip.

2

Charlie uncovers illegal drone strikes

Charlie, a CIA cryptographer, investigates classified files sent from an anonymous contact called Inquiline. He discovers that top officials, Director Moore and Deputy Caleb, have ordered unauthorized drone strikes in the Middle East disguised as suicide bombings.

3

Sarah is killed in London

Charlie is informed by his colleagues that Sarah has been killed during a hostage situation in London. He initially refuses to believe it until he sees surveillance footage confirming her capture by armed men.

London
4

Charlie retrieves Sarah's belongings and learns details

Charlie is given Sarah's belongings and her body, which deeply affects him. Among her items, he finds a puzzle she intended to give him, highlighting their personal connection amidst his growing grief.

5

Charlie seeks justice and training

Determined to find her killers, Charlie demands action from Moore and Caleb. When they dismiss his request, he threatens to expose their crimes and sets up a dead man's switch to release classified documents if he doesn't check in regularly.

6

Charlie is sent to Camp Ready

Charlie is taken to a training camp where he meets Colonel Henderson for combat and bomb-making training. Henderson doubts Charlie's ability to kill, but recognizes his skills with explosives, prompting Charlie to prepare for his mission.

Camp Ready
7

Charlie tracks and infiltrates Gretchen’s apartment

Charlie locates and sneaks into Gretchen Frank’s apartment in Paris, trying to gather information about her and her associate. He escapes before she notices him, but later stuffs pollen into her allergen treatment to incapacitate her.

Paris
8

Gretchen’s death and Charlie’s escape

Charlie incapacitates Gretchen during her allergy treatment, causing her to suffocate. She attempts to fight him and runs into the street, where she is hit by a car and dies. Charlie then retrieves her phone as he flees the scene.

Paris
9

Charlie goes to Marseille and Istanbul

Charlie travels to Marseille, where he is tracked by Henderson. After a gunfight and explosion at a club, he escapes. Subsequently, he joins Inquiline in Istanbul, where they identify Blazhic’s location in Madrid.

Marseille and Istanbul
10

Charlie confronts and destroys Blazhic’s pool

In Madrid, Charlie corners Mishka Blazhic at his hotel pool, rigs it to shatter, and causes it to break apart, leading to Blazhic's death. He evades Henderson and a confrontation with an operative sent by suspicious officials.

Madrid
11

Charlie’s final confrontation with Schiller

Charlie captures Schiller aboard his boat, engaging in a tense conversation where Schiller justifies his actions. Charlie tricks Schiller into revealing his associates' locations, then causes the boat to enter Finnish waters, leading to Schiller’s arrest.

On Schiller’s boat
12

Revelation and public exposure

O’Brien holds a press conference revealing the truth about the drone strikes, the arrest of Moore and Caleb, and acknowledging Charlie as the whistleblower who exposed the government’s illicit activities. Charlie’s identity as the source becomes public knowledge.

13

Henderson’s realization

Henderson, who survived his earlier injuries, visits Charlie and admits that he underestimated his skills. Their relationship shifts as Henderson recognizes Charlie’s determination and capability.

14

Charlie visits Sarah’s grave and finds closure

Charlie visits his wife Sarah’s grave, reflecting on her death and their relationship. He then returns home, where he repairs and flies a model plane she gave him, symbolizing his acceptance and moving forward.

Last Updated: August 05, 2025 at 06:58

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Amateur

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Amateur. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Amateur

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