WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for The Amateur.
The murder of Rachel Brosnahan’s character, Sarah, in the upcoming 2025 spy thriller The Amateur serves as the catalyst for Rami Malek’s Charlie Heller to embark on a perilous journey of vengeance. Stripped of the assistance from his CIA superiors, played by Danny Sapani (Caleb) and Holt McCallany (Deputy Director Moore), Heller resigns from his position at the CIA’s Langley headquarters. His mission is singular: to track down and eliminate the four individuals responsible for Sarah’s death, all while unraveling a deep-seated CIA conspiracy connected to the shadowy mercenary Sean Schiller, portrayed by Michael Stuhlberg.
Despite his immense value as a data analyst, Heller finds himself isolated at Langley, where his talents are largely unrecognized. Instead of accolades, he is often hidden away in a nondescript basement on level -5, primarily viewed as a loose cannon. Meanwhile, Incoming CIA Director O’Brien (Julianna Nicholson) grows increasingly wary of Moore’s unapproved activities, eventually uncovering his unauthorized black operations. The conclusion of The Amateur sees justice served as Moore and Schiller are apprehended, with Heller choosing to leave his quest for vengeance behind, sparing Schiller only to face lifelong imprisonment.
The Circumstances of Sarah’s Death: A Mercenary Plot Unfolds
Schiller: The Architect of the Attack
Image via 20th Century Studios
The mercenary unit that orchestrated the London terrorist attack was commanded by Schiller, alongside accomplices Gretchen Frank, Mishka Blazhic, and Ellish. This operation was, in reality, a false flag attack masterminded by Moore. Sarah was caught in the crossfire, visiting London at the same time as the assault, and unknowingly put herself in harm’s way while trying to rescue another person.
In a tragic twist of fate, Sarah perished due to her altruistic intentions. Schiller, who was the one to pull the trigger, justified his actions to Heller in the climactic moments of the film. He claimed that killing her was necessary to prevent police interference during their escape. This harsh reality depicts how Sarah’s life was extinguished simply because she put herself in harm’s way trying to help an innocent victim. Ironically, had Schiller not taken her life, Heller would never have embarked on his path of vengeance, and the rogue elements within the CIA might still operate unchecked.
The CIA’s Reluctance to Aid Heller
Moore’s Underhanded Dealings
The CIA, particularly Director Moore and Caleb, actively tries to thwart Heller’s quest for vengeance. Heller has already suspected their involvement in illicit operations, especially after gathering intelligence from Inquline (Caitíona Balfe). His distrust was confirmed when they attempted to pass him off to CIA field agent trainer Henderson (Laurence Fishburne) under the pretense of wanting to assist him. Once his ruse was discovered, Heller took matters into his own hands, utilizing his new skills and resources abroad.
Eventually, some CIA members recognize the potential of aiding Heller, as his actions might lead to the exposure of Moore’s extensive corruption. Jon Bernthal’s character, cryptically named The Bear, reappears in Russia, eager to lend support to Heller due to a debt of gratitude from Heller’s past. Director O’Brien sends The Bear to assist Heller, resulting in an unexpected alliance that ultimately enables Heller to confront Schiller. Even Henderson, initially pursuing Heller through France, ultimately expresses gratitude for exposing Moore and rectifying the wrongs of the agency.
Investigating the CIA’s Involvement in Sarah’s Demise
Moore: The Puppet Master
While Schiller was responsible for the fatal shot that took Sarah’s life in The Amateur, the true architect of her death is undoubtedly Moore. Schiller’s actions, although heinous, stemmed from his obligations under a contract that lacked regard for human life. Moore, however, was the mastermind behind the operations, orchestrating the events leading to needless deaths. Thus, he bears greater culpability for not just Sarah’s fate but for other innocent lives affected by his reckless decisions.
The CIA’s internal politics may have allowed previous directors to overlook Moore’s dubious missions, especially if designed to yield favorable outcomes for the agency. It would be unjust to place the blame solely on the CIA as a whole; doing so would minimize Moore’s accountability. During a pivotal conversation with O’Brien, Moore admits to having operated with broad autonomy regarding clandestine operations, including the London incident that claimed Sarah’s life. The precise extent of past directors’ awareness of these actions remains ambiguous. Regardless, the planning and execution of these operations rest squarely in Moore’s hands.
A Comparison: Sarah’s Death in the 2025 Film vs. Original
A Distinct Narrative in the Original Film
In the original The Amateur, both the novel by Robert Littell and the film adaptation directed by Charles Jarrott unfold during the tensions of the Cold War era, including a stark portrayal of Sarah’s demise. In this version, which is currently available for streaming on Hulu, Sarah, played by Lynne Griffin, finds herself amidst a terrorist attack occurring in Czechoslovakia as she seeks assistance at what is presumably a U.S. Embassy.
During this ordeal, armed assailants take several hostages, including Sarah. As the situation escalates, one attacker is shot, leading to extreme demands placed on the U.S. ambassador via telecommunications. The terrorists threaten dire consequences, with a percentage of hostages marked for execution to send a strong message. The original portrayal showcases Sarah being randomly selected for execution via a passport pulled from a stack by one of the attackers named Gretchen. This sense of randomness accentuates the chilling nature of her demise, presenting it as a tragic consequence of Cold War anxieties.