New Spy Thriller With 88% RT Audience Score Gets A Disappointing Sequel Update From Director

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A recent spy thriller with a Rotten Tomatoes audience score of 88% has received a disappointing sequel update from its director. The spy thriller genre is one of the most storied and exciting in all cinema, with the James Bond movies being something of an institution at the box office these days. In recent years, there has been a wealth of acclaimed spy thrillers, including movies like Black Bag, The Union, The Phoenician Scheme, and Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning.

With their mix of high-octane action, political espionage, and cool gadgets, spy thrillers are the perfect escapism for audiences and cater to those who love action and drama. 2025 has been a strong year for intelligent and provocative movies, and one spy thriller in particular, with a strong cast, immersive story, and awesome action, has impressed since its release. This has generated speculation about a follow-up movie, and the film's director has had his say on the chances of a sequel.

The Amateur 2 Gets A Disappointing Update From James Hawes
The Movie's Cast & Action Made For Compelling Viewing

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Directed by James Hawes, who also worked on the spy thriller Slow Horses, and starring Rami Malek, Laurence Fishburne, and Rachel Brosnahan, The Amateur was released in April 2025. The movie follows CIA cryptographer Charlie Heller (Malek), who is forced to take matters into his own hands to seek revenge when his wife is murdered. It grossed $96 million against a budget of $60 million and was largely positively received by critics. Reviews of The Amateur praised the movie for the chemistry of its performances, in particular those of Malik and Fishburne.

In an interview with The Playlist, Hawes gave an update on the potential for a sequel movie. The filmmaker was first asked if there was any place he would want to travel next for a sequel, responding that he would look at Southeast Asia or Namibia as potential locations. Check out his comments below:

Okay, well, first of all, I went to Istanbul in this one, which wasn’t in the book or the script, because it felt contemporary and edgy. So, my brain would be going, “Where can I go that feels relevant, sexy, and visual?” Southeast Asia comes to mind—Vietnam, Cambodia. Also, Namibia is incredibly visual, though I don’t have the story for it yet. So if anyone’s got a script, send it my way!

Later, Hawes revealed that there had been no conversation about The Amateur 2. He then pivoted to address that the parking lot scene with Henderson wasn't in the original script, but the dynamic between Fishburne and Malek encouraged them to add extra photography. Read his comment below:

Almost none. That parking lot scene with Henderson [Laurence Fishburne] wasn’t even in the original script—that was extra photography because we loved their dynamic so much. It became the poster! You don’t know if he’s gonna hug him or shoot him. It was fun to keep that hanging, but no real sequel talks yet.

Our Take On The Chances Of The Amateur 2
That Could Be A Challenge

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Overall, the reception to The Amateur was well-received by audiences, which even led to an 88% Rotten Tomatoes audience score. However, the chances of a sequel will be tough given that the thriller didn't quite hit break-even, which hurts the movie's odds of getting a follow-up with Malek's character. Plus, the movie is based on the 1981 book by Robert Littell, which didn't have any sequels. That means that if there were to be any sequel, it would have to deviate from the source material.

While the chances are slim, the film's streaming performance could help change the outcome of that possibility. The action thriller has been gaining traction since its digital release and has the potential to become a streaming success once it becomes available. Plus, there has been a rising interest in espionage content in both movies and shows, like The Agency. It also sounds like Hawes is open to a sequel if there is the right script, so there is some hope for The Amateur 2.