The Amateur is a new 2025 film directed by James Hawes that’s officially available to buy on digital platforms. The spy thriller stars Rami Malek as Charles Heller, a CIA cryptographer who goes rogue after his wife (Rachel Brosnahan) is murdered. The film also features Laurence Fishburne, Caitríona Balfe, Michael Stuhlbarg, Holt McCallany, Julianne Nicholson, and Jon Bernthal. In honor of the movie’s digital release, That Hashtag Show joined a group of journalists and Hawes to tour the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.
The museum was fascinating and educational. We learned about the history of spies, saw some amazing artifacts, and even had tour guides who were once in the field. One guide spoke of wearing disguises and having nine different passports at once. The exhibits showcased famous spies throughout history and included some gadgets that felt right out of the movies. There was also an interactive element that allowed you to complete your own mission while walking through the museum.
Spys in Movies
Since we were there for The Amateur, seeing nods to spy films was an exciting part of the tour. There were tributes ranging from Greta Garbo in Mata Hari (1931) to Melissa McCarthy in Spy (2015). The museum had sections featuring action figures from old television series like Get Smart, to new fan-favorites like Andor. You could also see the motorcycle driven by Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible II.
The most interesting movie-related portion of the International Spy Museum was their special “Bond in Motion” exhibit. You could see an entire floor filled with cars, boats, helicopters, and more from various Bond movies. Whether it was driven by Sean Connery, Daniel Craig, or anyone in between, you’re sure to spot an item from a 007 outing you love.
In addition to checking out the museum, our group also joined Hawes on an interesting walking tour throughout DC. Titled “Sphyer,” this tour was founded by Rosanna Minchew and showcases spots with riveting – and brutal – history. We saw places where people were assassinated, and learned about the skill sets it takes to be a spy.
The tour included a fun activity in which we had to be on the lookout for potential followers. At the end of the tour, Rosanna had two members of the group do a “dead drop,” and they were caught by the men who had been subtly following us. Just like the museum, it was both informative and interactive.
During the trip, That Hashtag Show also had the chance to interview Hawes about The Amateur. He talked about Bernthal’s small yet memorable role, James Bond’s influence on the film, and even teased his upcoming DC project, Lanterns.
The Amateur is now available on digital platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home.
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