5.9
Where can I stream The Amateur legally?
The Amateur is included with a subscription to Hulu in the United States. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.
The Amateur
1981·Movie
The Amateur fingerprint
High energy, strong craft, light on feelings.
Energy
Thrilling and tense
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
- Adrenaline8
- Tension8
- Fast Pace7
Heart
Emotionally reserved
- Melancholy6
- Pathos5
- Catharsis5
Humor
A little humor
Not a comedy at heart.
- Dark Humor4
- Wit & Wordplay3
- Satire & Parody3
World
Everyday modern life, crime, and politics
- World Immersion7
- Dialogue Centrality7
- Rewatchability6
Craft
Standout storytelling
Layered plot that rewards full attention.
- Intrigue9
- Narrative Structure8
- Complexity8
Style
Functional look and sound
- Cinematography7
- Editing7
- Music Composition6
Energy
HighThrilling and tense
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
The Amateur is thrilling, tense, and fast-paced. The story builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
All energy traits
- Adrenaline8High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Tension8Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Fast Pace7Quick tempo and momentum.
- Violence7Physical conflict and intensity.
- Spectacle6Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Scare3Frightening moments and scares.
Related traits
- Slow Burn7Gradual build with payoff.
- Bleakness7Grim, stark outlooks.
- Warfare6Battles, strategy, and conflict.
Heart
LowEmotionally reserved
It keeps its emotions at a distance.
All heart traits
- Melancholy6Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Pathos5Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Catharsis5Emotional release and payoff.
- Nostalgia5Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
- Romance3Love stories and emotional connections.
- Hopefulness3Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Family Dynamics3Relationships and generational ties.
- Coming of Age2Personal growth and self-discovery.
- Wonder2Awe, discovery, and amazement.
- Wholesome1Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
Related traits
- Bleakness7Grim, stark outlooks.
- Character Depth7Rich, complex characterization.
Humor
LowA little humor
Not a comedy at heart.
Expect a little humor.
All humor traits
- Dark Humor4Humor from taboo or grim topics.
- Wit & Wordplay3Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Satire & Parody3Sharp critique and playful imitation.
- Physical Comedy2Slapstick and visual gags.
- Absurdist Humor2Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
- Situational Comedy1Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Cringe Humor1Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
World
MediumEveryday modern life, crime, and politics
Its world is built around everyday modern life, crime, and politics.
All world traits
- World Immersion7Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Dialogue Centrality7Stories driven by conversation.
- Rewatchability6Invites repeat viewing.
- Ambiguity5Open-endedness and uncertainty.
- Novelty4Fresh ideas and invention.
Related traits
- Contemporary Realism8Modern, grounded storytelling.
- Crime8Heists, investigation, and underworld.
- Politics8Thought-provoking works exploring political themes.
- Mystery7Whodunnits and unraveling secrets.
- Psychological7Inner worlds and mind games.
- Warfare6Battles, strategy, and conflict.
Craft
HighStandout storytelling
Layered plot that rewards full attention.
The storytelling stand out. The plot is layered and rewards full attention.
All craft traits
- Intrigue9Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Narrative Structure8Story architecture and form.
- Complexity8Layered plots and ideas.
- Direction7Vision and command behind the camera.
- Acting7Performance craft and presence.
- Character Depth7Rich, complex characterization.
- Dialogue Quality6Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Non-linear Narrative3Time-shifts and structure play.
- Meta Narrative1Stories about storytelling.
Related traits
- Slow Burn7Gradual build with payoff.
- Fast Pace7Quick tempo and momentum.
Style
MediumFunctional look and sound
The look and sound stay functional.
All style traits
- Cinematography7Visual composition and camera work.
- Editing7Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Music Composition6Score and musical identity.
- Visual Stylization6Distinctive aesthetic signature.
- Sound Centrality6Sound design as core element.
- Music Centrality5The score or soundtrack shapes the emotional experience.
Related traits
- Dialogue Centrality7Stories driven by conversation.
- Spectacle6Scale and set-piece grandeur.
Who it's for
AdultsFriends NightSolo WatchTeensThought-Provoking
Skip it if
You want to half-watch while scrolling
Find more like it
Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.
About
In a world of professional assassins, there is no room for an amateur.
A researcher for the CIA who convinces his superiors to send him to the eastern bloc in order to avenge the murder of his wife by enemy agents discovers a web of deception underneath his wife's death.
Cold War EspionageCIA Revenge ThrillerEastern Bloc IntrigueDeception and BetrayalPolitical ConspiracyPersonal VendettaGritty Realism80s Spy Film
Actors
Crew
Directed by:
Written by:
Produced by:
Composed by:
Titles like The Amateur
nearer = more alike
8
You are here: The Amateur
Tap a poster to move
You are herePreview
vscompared with The Amateur
The Amateur1981
Point at a poster to compare itHold a poster to compare it
This pageTap it to move here
A chip fills to its level. Tap a full one for titles without that trait, a low one for titles with it.
Open a page:The Assignment (1997)The Professional (1981)Baby (2015)Extreme Prejudice (1987)Three Days of the Condor (1975)Spartan (2004)Election (2005)The Dogs of War (1980)Traitor (2008)Collateral (2018)Year of the Dragon (1985)Hostage (2025)Pokiri (2006)Pathu Thala (2023)Michael Clayton (2007)Black Sea (2014)The Connection (2014)Viduthalai: Part I (2023)Spooks (2002)The Hunting Party (2007)Sikandar Ka Muqaddar (2024)The Kingdom (2007)A Wednesday! (2008)The Infiltrator (2016)The Yards (2000)Khakee (2004)The Unthinkable (2018)Black Coal, Thin Ice (2014)Satya (1998)4 Blocks (2017)Southern Comfort (1981)Shiri (1999)Green Zone (2010)The Interpreter (2005)Syriana (2005)Gangaajal (2003)Athadu (2005)Love/Hate (2010)Breaking (2022)Crime Novel (2005)The Night Manager (2016)The Absent One (2014)Inspector Avinash (2023)Paranoid (2016)16 Blocks (2006)Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan (2018)The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest (2009)The Decline (2020)Narrow Margin (1990)The Manchurian Candidate (2004)Waar (2013)Breach (2007)The Amateur (2025)French Connection II (1975)Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema (2008)A Better Tomorrow II (1987)A Hijacking (2012)Metro Manila (2013)American Me (1992)Cartel Land (2015)Carancho (2010)Daredevil: Born Again (2025)Zulu (2013)The Killer (2023)
Sequels and Prequels
No sequels or prequels available
Media
Questions about The Amateur
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is The Amateur worth watching?
56
DecentGoodWatch scoreOpinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 56/100 (IMDb 5.9). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
What is The Amateur rated?
RViolence
It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: violence.
How long is The Amateur?
1 h 52 min
The Amateur runs 1 h 52 min.
Was The Amateur a box office hit?
Budget$8 million
Box office$7 million
No. It cost about $8 million to make and earned $7 million worldwide, 83% of its budget.
What language is The Amateur in?
English
It was made in English. Produced in Canada.