James Hawes Discusses The Amateur’s Torture Chambers and Cast

Interview with James Hawes on The Amateur

In a recent interview with ComingSoon, director James Hawes shared insights about the digital release of The Amateur, which features exciting bonus content. He discussed the creation of modern torture chambers for key scenes and his collaboration with actors Jon Bernthal and Rachel Brosnahan. The film is currently available on digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home, and will be released on 4K UHD and Blu-ray on July 8.

Plot Overview

The film follows Charlie Heller (played by Rami Malek), a brilliant but introverted CIA decoder whose life is shattered after his wife is killed in a terrorist attack in London. With his superiors refusing to take action, Charlie embarks on a perilous journey across the globe to seek revenge, using his intelligence as a weapon against those responsible.

Creating the Torture Chambers

Tyler Treese: My favorite aspect of The Amateur was witnessing Charlie’s ingenious death traps, as he doesn’t confront enemies directly. How did you develop these Saw-style scenes? The special features showcase how many were executed practically. What was that process like?

James Hawes: Much of it originated in the writer’s room. Our team, along with advisors, had a dark sense of creativity, leading to compelling ideas for the film’s traps. For instance, the asthma test scene draws inspiration from a 1981 novel, reimagined as a modern torture chamber.

Character Connections

There’s a crucial connection between Rachel Brosnahan’s character and Rami’s, which sets the story in motion. How did you ensure their limited screen time was impactful?

We were concerned about this during the script stage. I crafted a scene where Charlie follows Rachel out of an Uber, capturing their playful banter and connection. Rachel’s charm and chemistry with Rami were essential in making the audience care about their relationship, especially when her character meets a tragic end.

Working with Jon Bernthal

Another standout was Jon Bernthal. His presence is electrifying, but he only appears in a few scenes. How did you maximize his impact?

His introduction in the script creates an immediate tension. When he appears in a dangerous Russian café, the audience feels Charlie’s intrigue and uncertainty. Keeping his role concise adds to the excitement, and Jon’s inventive approach to his character makes those moments unforgettable.

Thanks to James Hawes for sharing his insights about The Amateur.