Mother’s Day Marathon: Seven Films to Binge with Mom this Weekend

If you’re a fan of K-Dramas or have perused Netflix shows, chances are the name Song Joong-Ki has come up a few times. 

A household name in the South Korean entertainment scene, the award-winning actor made his breakthrough in 2010 in a coming-of-age K-Drama and as one of the original members of the longest-running variety show in South Korean television history. Since then, he has proved himself a versatile and talented actor, playing diverse roles in films and TV series from a charming soldier in the special forces army to a ruthless and clever mafia lawyer.

With numerous fan-favorite projects coupled with endorsements under his belt, including his recent partnership with IAM Worldwide in the Philippines, Song Joong-ki has been captivating viewers worldwide for more than a decade, cementing his name as one of South Korea’s brightest stars. 

But if you’re a newbie in the scene, don’t worry! From Science Fiction thrillers to melodramatic romances, here are some of his best works to get you started.

7. Sungkyunkwan Scandal (2010)

K-Drama | Historical, Coming-of-age

After taking on supporting roles in K-dramas, Joong-ki finally made his breakthrough in this coming-of-age drama as the mischievous Goo Yong-ha. The drama is set in an era where females are forbidden to be educated or employed, and so Kim Yoon-hee (played by Park Min Young) disguised herself as her brother in order to make ends meet. She takes a series of odd jobs, including being an illegal test taker for the examinations at Sungkyunkwan, Joseon’s most prestigious education institution. Long story short, she gets caught and is offered a chance to enroll in the university. 

Song Joong-ki was every bit charming in this one, and though the ratings weren’t all that spectacular, the show became an instant cult favorite. His chemistry with his co-star Yoo Ah-In also made an impression on viewers, calling it bromance at its finest. 

Running Time: 60 minutes per episode

Where to watch: Viu

6. Running Man (2010)

TV Series | Variety show

Not many people remember that Song Joong-ki was one of the original members of the hit variety show, “Running Man,” which debuted in 2010. Yes, you heard that right, a young Joong-ki who was only starting to get recognized for his charm and good looks went and did some hilarious shenanigans with the iconic cast of the show. 

He was even nicknamed “Flower Boy Joong-ki” and stayed on till the 41st episode. Despite having left, he made some brief appearances in later episodes and remained close with the cast. Just check out this hilarious episode where they all tried to get Song Ji-hyo’s heart rate up!

Running Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes per episode

Where to watch: YouTube, Viu

5. The Innocent Man (2010)

K-Drama | Romance

Nothing screams 2000s K-Drama than a wronged main character and a finely planned revenge plot woven with drama and passion. Joong-ki transforms himself into Kang Maru in “The Innocent Man” — a brilliant medical student who gives up everything to go to prison to take the blame for his girlfriend. The worst part is that instead of repenting, his girlfriend abandons him and runs after a rich man. This betrayal transforms him from being the “nice guy” to a heartless man keen on getting his revenge. 

This drama is more on the heavier side and has a lot of twists and turns, making it feel longer than it actually is. But if you’re up for some heavy drama complete with suspense, unplanned romances, and even tragic memory loss moments, you’ll definitely like this. 

Running Time: 60 minutes per episode

Where to watch: Viu, Rakuten Viki

4. Space Sweepers (2021)

Film | Science Fiction

Song Joong-ki orbits into outer space to play the role of a space junk collector who gets involved in a risky business deal when he and his crew discover a weapon of mass destruction — a humanoid robot named Dorothy.

More than the impressive CGI effects and set props, we especially loved how the theme of found family is interwoven through its action-packed plot. We love the crew’s chemistry and how they all softened towards Dorothy and ended up protecting her instead of handing her over for ransom. If you’re looking for an action-packed adventure in space with heartfelt character interactions, make sure to check out “Space Sweepers.”

Running Time: 2 hours, 16 minutes

Where to watch: Netflix

3. A Werewolf Boy (2012)

Film | Fantasy Romance

Ready your tissues, this one sneaks up on you and takes your heart in a vice grip. In “A Werewolf Boy,” Sun-Yi (played by Park Bo-young) moves to the countryside due to her delicate health. There, she comes across a wild wolf boy whom she adopts and names Chul-Soo (Song Joong-ki).

The two eventually become close as she trains him to act more human and opens her heart to him. In turn, Chul-soo falls in love with the only person who has ever shown him affection. Difficulties arise, however, when Chul-Soo is blamed for a murder he didn’t commit, and Sun-yi is forced to push him away so he wouldn’t get caught. Years later, she finds that her wolf boy is still waiting for her. 

A story about first love and unbound loyalty, this film is like a tragic love song that will haunt you long after the credits roll, showing us love in its purest form. 

Running Time: 2 hours, 5 minutes

Where to watch: iQIYI, Apple TV

2. Descendants of the Sun (2016)

K-Drama | Romance

Probably the project that catapulted him to global fame, “Descendants of the Sun” revolves around a brilliant surgeon Kang Mo-yeon (Song Hye-kyo) and her romance with a captain in the South Korean Army’s special forces, Yoo Si-jin (Song Joong-ki). It’s romance mixed with action, suspense, drama, and comedy. A true, well-rounded K-Drama that hits all the right spots, coupled with a timeless OST (Official Soundtrack) that perfectly encapsulates the emotions and relationships of the characters. 

But what truly carried this drama was Joong-ki and Hye-kyo’s chemistry, which spilled over to their real lives when they married a year after the drama ended. The drama was a massive hit internationally and helped boost the Hallyu wave, drawing more visitors to the country and spreading Korean culture. It also had a couple of adaptations in Philippine and Vietnamese television. 

Running Time: 59 minutes per episode

Where to watch: Netflix, Rakuten Viki

1. Vincenzo (2021)

K-Drama | Crime, Dark Comedy

Once you play the first episode, you’ll immediately start to wonder: wasn’t this a K-Drama? Why is Song Joong-ki speaking Italian and cruising along vineyards in Italy? 

In this action-packed crime drama, the actor portrays a South Korean consigliere (Italian mafia lawyer) who returns to his homeland to recover gold stashed beneath a commercial building in Seoul. He realizes that he has to demolish it in order to acquire his fortune, but a massive conglomerate, Babel Group, has illegally taken ownership of the property. And not only that, this company had also committed a series of crimes, which pushes Vincenzo to use his skills and serve justice where it’s due. 

Vincenzo Cassano is the epitome of an anti-hero, and we love how the actor portrayed this iconic role. He’s handsome, smooth, and incredibly ruthless, but you still can’t help but root for him despite all the violence and crimes he commits to serve justice for those wronged by Babel. He spoke Italian impressively well too and shared amazing chemistry with the cast, specifically the tenants of the building who became his found family in the show as he forms friendships and even a budding romance with the feisty lawyer, Hong Cha-young (played by Jeon Yeo-been). 

We ranked this first because Vincenzo keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish without any dull moments and wraps up pretty well — a pleasant surprise considering many K-Dramas fail to give a satisfying end. It’s dark and twisted, but also comedic and heartfelt. 11/10, would watch and rewatch for a good time. 

Running Time: 1 hour, 24 minutes per episode

Where to watch: Netflix

As the flowers bloom and the days grow warmer, there’s no better time than to dive into a feel-good Korean drama (K-Drama) that perfectly matches the refreshing season. Spring is all about fresh starts, gentle romances, and a touch of whimsy — exactly what these shows on this list deliver. 

Whether you’re in the mood for charming love stories or cozy and fun slice-of-life moments, these light and breezy K-Dramas will leave you smiling. So, grab your blanket, make a warm cup of tea, get comfortable in your favorite spot, and binge your way through the season with these delightful K-Dramas.

My ID is Gangnam Beauty (2019)

16 Episodes | Starring: Cha Eun-woo and Im Soo-hyang 

The story revolves around a young woman named Kang Mi-rae (Im Soo-hyang) who has always been bullied for her looks, pushing her to undergo plastic surgery in the hopes of having a better life in college. But with a pretty new face comes a new set of challenges, and soon she learns that the things that truly matter lie underneath the skin. 

This show embodies themes of new beginnings and self-love. It features stories of adolescents growing up from the pain they received from society, who always had appearance-oriented views. In “My ID is Gangnam Beauty,” Mi-rae slowly gains her self-esteem with the help of a classmate, Do Kyung-joon (Cha Eun-woo), who went to the same middle school as her, and who teaches her that there’s more to just one’s appearance. It has comedic and touching moments, charming characters you can’t help but root for, and a sweet slow-burn romance that will have you clicking “next episode” long before the credits roll. 

This show also has a lot of good-looking people in the cast, including Cha Eun-woo, who graces us with his handsome face for sixteen episodes! Talk about fans winning! 

Watch now

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo (2016)

16 Episodes | Starring: Nam Joo-hyuk and Lee Sung-kyung 

A fan favorite among K-Drama fans, “Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo” is about a passionate weightlifter who gets caught between fulfilling her dreams and navigating her first love — which has a pretty funny backstory since she initially had a crush on the main love interest’s older brother! 

But apart from the cute romance that develops between Lee Sung-kyung and Nam Joo-hyuk’s characters — who, by the way, also dated in real life — this coming-of-age tale also addresses societal issues such as bullying and fat-shaming. This show gave us women characters who are beautiful in their own right despite being in a sport many would deem as “manly.” The show portrayed women who are passionate about their sport, training every day and eating plenty to gain more muscle. It’s far from the usual shows where women are often seen dieting or ordering a salad on a first date. Girl power and food are just a couple of things that made this K-Drama so relatable and well-liked. 

Moreover, it embodies themes of friendship and chasing after one’s dreams, as well as growing up and finding love along the way. 10/10 would recommend it for a good time!

Watch now

Touch Your Heart (2019)

16 Episodes | Starring: Lee Dong-wook and Yoon In-na

This beautiful pair first enchanted audiences as the Grim Reaper and his reincarnated past love in “Goblin: The Lonely and Great God” (2016). Their chemistry was so good that producers decided to pair them up again — this time in a contemporary romance drama oozing with our favorite tropes, such as enemies-to-lovers and workplace romance.

In “Touch Your Heart,” a top actress whose career was damaged due to a scandal gets a second chance at success when she’s offered a major role in an upcoming drama. In order to clear her name, however, she must first take a job working as a secretary to a cold and stoic lawyer to fully grasp the character she’s about to play. And yes, you’ve guessed it, all that time together made them fall in love. 

Equal parts comedic and touching, this light rom-com is the perfect binge for hopeless romantics and for believers in love and second chances. And although it’s a cliché story littered with trope-y moments, it’s still worth the watch because of the main lead’s lovable chemistry. 

Watch now

Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021)

16 Episodes | Starring: Kim Seon-ho and Shin Min-a

If there was one K-Drama we would highly recommend, guaranteed to make you feel good and relaxed as you watch through it, it’s this one. This series was one of the highest-rated K-Dramas in television history, ranking first place during its entire run for eight weeks with over 3.2 million viewers for its last episode. It also became one of Netflix’s most-watched non-English shows — unsurprising considering how “dimple couple” Shin Min-a and Kim Seon-ho made chemistry look as effortless as a stroll on the shores. 

This light romantic comedy follows dentist Yoon Hye-jin (Shin Min-a), who moves to a seaside village after everything in her life goes awry. Looking for a fresh start and a chance to put up her own practice, she spontaneously opens a clinic where she befriends the residents and Hong Di-sik (Kim Seon-ho), a jack-of-all-trades beloved by the entire town and for whom Yoon Hye-jin eventually develops feelings. More than the romance, we especially loved the resident’s stories that provided valuable life lessons about parenting, running a business, and even relationships. 

If you’ve ever felt burned out or are feeling stuck in life, watching “Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha” will remind you that life passes like the tides, so savor each moment, do your best, and wait for better days. It also captures the beauty of slowing down and how spontaneity can sometimes lead us to the best things in life. 

Watch now

Business Proposal (2022)

12 Episodes | Starring: Ahn Hyo-seop and Kim Se-jeong

Workplace romances always hit the spot, especially when there isn’t too much drama involved. Based on a popular web novel of the same name, “Business Proposal” follows Shin Ha-ri (Kim Se-jeong), who finds herself in a bind when she takes her best friend’s place on a blind date. However, instead of scaring him away, she ends up being proposed to by the CEO of the company she currently works for. 

Kang Tae-moo (Ahn Hyo-seop) is pressured by his grandfather to settle down. He decides to marry the next woman he goes on a date with to appease him so he would no longer be disturbed from his work. It just so happens that his blind date is Ha-ri pretending to be Jin Young-seo, a daughter of a chaebol (business conglomerate) family. 

This romance drama is the crème de la crème of rom-coms and is comedy gold, with strong friendships, fantastic supporting characters, and family moments that make it one of those shows you can watch over and over again.

Watch now

Lovely Runner (2024)

16 Episodes | Starring: Byeon Woo-seok and Kim Hye-yoon

If you want a splash of magic in your watchlist this season, we highly recommend “Lovely Runner” which is arguably one of the best K-Dramas of 2024 as it weaves a story of fate, second chances, and first loves. 

This time-travel romance follows Im Sol (Kim Hye-yoon) as she goes back in time to save popular idol Ryu Sun-jae (Byeon Woo-seok) from a tragic death. If you’re thinking that time travel is too complicated to be a light, feel-good binge, think again! The story’s plot progresses in a linear manner that’s easy to follow and focuses more on slice-of-life moments between the leads and the characters surrounding them, so you won’t have to worry about complicated timelines. It has great cliffhangers per episode, too, and a very satisfying ending — a rarity in K-Dramas. 

Since it tackles time travel, it’s one of those shows that gives you the best of both worlds in the romance department because you get to witness the leads fall in love as teenagers and as working adults. Not to mention, it has one of the best original soundtracks, with Byeon Woo-seok’s “Sudden Shower” and 10cm’s “Spring Snow” perfectly encapsulating the unconditional and sacrificial love between the main couple. 

Watch now 

Disney’s animated princess movies are the pinnacle of its Renaissance era, otherwise known as the House of Mouse’s golden age, when they returned to producing the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed animated features. These films have enchanted audiences for decades, so it’s no surprise that Hollywood began rummaging through Mickey’s vault and brought many of them to life with big-budget live-action remakes. 

From dazzling visuals equipped with impressive CGI effects to fresh takes on beloved characters, these films recapture the magic of the originals, igniting nostalgia among long-time Disney fans, all the while introducing them to a new generation. 

But not all of them have lived up to fairy-tale expectations. While some have soared to new heights, others had fans waiting for a different kind of Happily Ever After. 

In honor of the premiere of the live-action remake of Disney’s very first princess, Snow White, we figured it’s about time we ranked the films released so far. However, we’re only including the official Disney Princesses, which means movies like “Enchanted” — although a clever and magical story that combines elements from various Disney Princess films will not be included.

Without further ado, here’s our ranking of live-action Disney Princess movies from least enchanting to most magical!

#8 Mulan (2020)

Starring: Yifei Liu, Gong Li, and Donnie Yen

"Mulan" follows the story of a young woman who disguises herself as a man in the imperial army to take her father’s place in the war. She’s the first Disney Princess who wasn’t based on a fairytale but a Chinese legend and continues to be a shining role model for girls everywhere as she taught us that the “flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all.”

The remake had been highly anticipated, considering there was much to love about the original 1998 classic, from the catchy songs to the action-packed storyline. However, the 2020 live-action film directed by Niki Caro strayed far away from the source, removing the things that made the original so enjoyable in the first place. 

Although the battle sequences were well shot and at par with popular Chinese action films, the film didn’t have the comic relief that was provided by Eddie Murphy’s character, Mushu — and more importantly, the songs. How on Earth do you expect us to defeat the Huns without the “I'll Make a Man Out of You” montage?

While the changes made to the plot were admirable as it was intended to highlight women empowerment and be closer to the source material, it was devoid of its iconic humor, making the film a little less magical. We did give points, however, for having Christina Aguilera sing the beloved song “Reflection” again for the end credits. 

#7 Snow White (2025)

Starring: Rachel Zegler, Gal Gadot, Andrew Burnap

It was only about time that Disney’s OG princess got her own live-action movie. Don’t get us wrong, the story has seen various remakes through the years such as Lily Collin’s “Mirror, Mirror” and Kristen Stewart’s “Snow White and the Huntsman” among the popular ones, but to have a Disney-made one, honoring the original 1937 classic would be a first. 

Theater actress Rachel Zegler played the titular role, which we believed was a good choice considering she had the pipes for it and brought a refreshing take on the role. Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen was unexpected but very much welcomed by Disney fans, intrigued to see her in a villain role after having played a superhero for DC Comics. With a good cast and the promise of new songs, where did it go wrong?

“Snow White” suffers from the same thing “Mulan” did, but instead of just straying from the source material, we felt it altered Snow White’s character a little too much. Although the intention was to make her stronger and more independent, which was supported by a good backstory, this Snow White felt a little too modern, which can be both a good and bad thing. We’re still torn about whether or not it’s a win, but it was an enjoyable film, nonetheless, and the new songs were a wonderful addition to the classic.

#6 Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019)

Starring: Angelina Jolie and Elle Fanning

Now you might be wondering, isn’t Maleficent a villain? Yes, but Disney decided to make this iconic antagonist more relatable and sympathetic by giving her own film but still following the timeline of the original “Sleeping Beauty” film. 

This isn’t that film, however, but its sequel, and unlike its predecessor, the plot falls short, and the character development could’ve used a little bit more adjustment. Aurora (Elle Fanning), who is now queen of the Moors, saw very little development from what we already knew about her while the villain in this film — although slightly more evil than what we expected this company to develop, being a queen who wanted to commit genocide, didn’t quite live up to its potential. 

On the other hand, just like the first film, it’s visually stunning with an impressive ensemble of actors who actually look like their animated counterparts. It might not be the best, but definitely better than most of the sequels Disney produced in the 90s. 

#5 Aladdin (2019)

Starring: Will Smith, Mena Massoud, and Naomi Scott 

“Aladdin” was a magical surprise. It was interesting to see how everyone kind of hated it the moment the teaser trailer came out, only to be pleasantly swept off their feet after watching the film in its entirety. In fact, it flew past the billion-dollar mark at the worldwide box office, making it one of the most commercially successful movies on this roster. 

And what’s not to love? Not only did Mena Massoud look like the handsome, dimpled thief from Agrabah, but he also sounded like him! Will Smith also defied expectations and really shone as the Genie, much to the fans’ delight. Princess Jasmine (Naomi Scott) also got a little bit more screen time, plus a well-deserved solo song, which would’ve been really good if it hadn’t clashed with the original soundtrack’s sound. It seemed a little bit too modern, despite being a good pop song. 

Although “Aladdin” was a good film in terms of paying tribute to the original, it fell short on originality; the changes made neither added nor subtracted value to the franchise. Do we like it better than the animation? Not really. Is it one of the better live-action remakes? Absolutely! 10/10 would still get on that magic carpet ride. 

#4 The Little Mermaid (2023)

Starring: Halle Bailey, Jonah Hauer-King, and Melissa McCarthy

It felt like forever until we saw this feature on the screen, considering it was the film that got caught up in the pandemic, and filming took longer as it had to be paused mid-way. Everyone had been skeptical about it mainly because they had cast a black woman as our favorite red-headed mermaid — a character assumed to be white since it was originally based on a tale from Denmark. But some fans have argued, she’s a mermaid, a fictional character. Does race matter?

As a matter of fact, it does. But not for the reason you think. We believed representation mattered, and Halle Bailey completely understood the assignment when she switched her legs for a tail in this role. It made sense why Disney had chosen her, considering she had the most beautiful voice and portrayed Ariel’s spirit so effortlessly; it was like the character literally came to life before our eyes.

The movie stayed true to the original but with minor changes and additions that gave more depth to the characters we know and love. Take Prince Eric’s soaring solo “Wild Uncharted Waters” which gave us a little bit more insight into how he felt after being saved, and his love for sailing and expeditions; or that adorable interaction before “Kiss the Girl” when Ariel tried to teach Eric how to say her name (IYKYK). 

“The Little Mermaid” successfully revived a classic tale with improved character development, a handful of new iconic songs, and thought-out interactions but surprisingly falls short on the visual aspect. It was impressive how they managed to make an entire movie set underwater, and we know nothing about CGI, but that would’ve been a difficult feat. However, it didn’t look as realistic as we’d hoped and didn’t give us that feeling of being submerged under the sea. Nonetheless, this film deserves a high spot on this list for its diversity and polished storytelling. 

#3 Maleficent (2014)

Starring: Angelina Jolie and Elle Fanning

Maleficent may have been a villain, but she’s Disney royalty in her own right, having been a box-office success in 2014, which led to the string of live-action films on this list. This movie is a retelling of the classic tale and narrates the story from the perspective of the villain — a refreshing concept that earned its spot in the Top 3. 

We believe Disney made a good choice telling the story from Maleficent’s point of view as this opens up possibilities for her character development. In the original animated feature, she was just the “Mistress of All Evil” with little to no background on why or how she came to take on the title. In the movie, Disney told us about Maleficent’s origins as a fairy with massive wings as well as her conflicted relationship with King Stefan — who was portrayed as the villain in this story. We also loved Maleficent and Aurora’s dynamic in this tale, how the plot humanizes her with a compelling character arc. 

It's far from the tale or villain we know, but it’s new and intriguing, and opened the possibility for other characters — whether villains or supporting roles — to get their turn in the spotlight. 

#2 Beauty and the Beast

Starring: Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, and Luke Evans

There may be no such thing as perfection, but Disney’s live-action remake of “Beauty and the Beast” came close. Like “Aladdin,” the film retained most of its original elements, from the character looks and design to the music and storyline. There were only subtle nuances in this tale, like how they made Belle more of an inventor than just a girl who loves to read, and was truly someone who thought outside the box, which better explained why everyone in town thought she was odd. There were also visual flashbacks about Belle’s mother and the Beast prior to the curse, which were only told by a narrator in the original animation. This improved character development, making them more relatable and worth rooting for. 

These subtle changes also filled up the gaps in the original animated feature and answered some of our questions, like why everyone forgot about the castle and its occupants. Or why Mrs. Potts, Lumiere, and Cogsworth stay loyal to the prince despite him being, well — mean.

Perhaps its strongest change was the new music made by no other than legendary composer Alan Menken, who somehow made his original score even better with the addition of “Days In the Sun”, “Evermore,” and “How Does a Moment Last Forever.” Our favorite tracks were still heard throughout the film, given a more vibrant and soaring sound, highlighting its magical aspect. It flooded us with sweet nostalgia and had us crying at the end of the film. Yes — we’re talking about that scene just as the last petal fell. Watch it to know what we mean!

#1 Cinderella (2015)

Starring: Lily James, Cate Blanchett, Helena Bonham Carter, and Richard Madden

Ten years since it was released and this live-action remake remains untouched as the best among the rest, and we believe many would agree. It exemplified what these remakes could do when done well, and what can make these adaptations enjoyable for fans and new audiences. Like “Beauty and the Beast,” “Cinderella" retained all the elements that made it magical and beautiful, which made it a nostalgic masterpiece. Its modern take was present in the way technology was used to enhance scenes such as Cinderella’s iconic dress transformation, which instantly made the audience feel as if they were seeing it for the first time.

It had a slightly longer run time, which gave more time to develop Prince Charming’s character, who had always been a mystery since he barely had any dialogue in the animation. It also deepened our understanding of Cinderella’s character by showing us scenes from before she was orphaned and how she lived by her mother’s words, which led her to become so kind that she allowed her stepmothers and sisters to treat her badly. 

The actors were all well-suited for the roles, with Cate Blanchett and Helena Bonham Carter, in particular, shining in their roles as the stepmother and Fairy godmother. Lily James was a gem and truly stepped into the role of the kind maiden in glass slippers, as well. The costumes were divine, and the set design was remarkable. It’s pure Disney magic from start to finish; a masterpiece in its own right. We just know people wouldn’t mind watching it over and over again the way they do with the original animated features. 

You can watch all these fantastic Disney live-action movies on Disney+. You can also follow the platform on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for more magical Disney films and shows. 

20th Century Studios’ latest espionage thriller is a nice break from today’s invincible superheroes from space and other parallel universes, proving that, indeed, not all heroes (or villains) wear capes. Sometimes, they’re cryptographers who can break code and assemble bombs like Lego.  

Based on the 1981 novel of the same name by Robert Littel, “The Amateur” is a vigilante action thriller directed by James Hawes, starring Oscar-winner Rami Malek (“Bohemian Rapsody”), Rachel Brosnahan, (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”), Caitríona Balfe (“Outlander”), and Laurence Fishburne (“John Wick”). The slow-burn thriller centers on a CIA codebreaker whose entire world shatters when his wife is murdered in a terrorist attack. Unable to handle his grief and frustrated with the agency’s inactivity to apprehend his wife’s killers, he embarks on a mission to hunt them down himself.  

The Beat Asia got to attend a special screening of the film last Apr. 7, and here's what we thought of the gripping silver screen gem. 

Warning: Spoilers ahead!

A Gratifying and Intelligent Revenge Plot for the Books

Rami Malek gives a powerful performance as Charlie Heller, an introverted but brilliant CIA codebreaker who loses his wife in a terrorist attack. The beginning of the film shows scenes before the tragedy and sets up the emotional foundations of the story, which becomes its own conflict post-attack. The first act combines scenes of Charlie and Sarah (Rachel Brosnahan) parting ways as she goes off on a business trip, him going into work, and his daily routine, highlighting that he’s a charmingly awkward, quiet man who’s incredibly good at what he does.

But when news reaches him that his wife had been shot in a terrorist attack, he breaks down, but instead of losing himself in grief, he grows even more hyper-focused, intent on tracking down Sarah’s killers. It didn't take long for him to discover the people behind the attack, but the inaction from his agency led him to the path of becoming a CIA operative himself so he could hunt the killers down.

When he finally gets the training he wants, we immediately see that this man is no killer as he struggles to shoot a gun; paralyzed the moment he’s urged to pull the trigger in front of his handler and trainer, Colonel Robert Henderson. Everyone seemed to underestimate Charlie’s ability to pull off his revenge plan, but this soon becomes his greatest strength as the more they underestimated him, the smarter Charlie got as he starts to figure out how to use the resources available to him, especially his most important tool: his brilliant mind. 

Rami’s portrayal as “The Amateur” is emotional, intelligent, and wholly human. Action heroes are often described as strong and invincible, but Charlie is just a normal civilian trying to avenge his wife, who was brutally and unfairly murdered. His character was deeply rooted in grief, loneliness, and anger, and we love how it explored moral uncertainty as he carried out those rogue missions. “The Amateur” impressively encapsulates what it means to be in a gray area, and how strong emotions can easily push people to do things they never thought possible. 

The movie’s strength is in its emotional realism as it focuses more on the character’s vulnerabilities and inner monologues as he grapples with the consequences of violence. Those flashes of blood, weapons, and murders show us that no matter how much Charlie believed those people deserved it, he still struggled with the idea of blood on his hands. It was heartbreaking and thought-provoking at the same time, as we viewers begin to question: "Should we be rooting for him to kill these men too? Will revenge truly make everything okay?"

We applaud director James Hawes for capturing those moments of grief and turmoil, instead of leaning heavily on stunts. Every time a target was taken down, it never felt gratifying. Instead, it only added to that heaviness in our chests as Charlie is shown suffering from the cost of those murders. Eventually, however, it was fascinating to see him stumble through the plan, then get back up again with another smart Plan B, highlighting that brains, not bullets, win the war. 

Although Rachel Broshnan had little screen time compared to the other actors, her role was highly impactful because she was the motivation, and every time Charlie begins to rethink his decision about pursuing the terrorists, Sarah’s ghost comes to haunt him, almost like a reminder that he needs to see this through. Not to mention, Rachel and Rami’s chemistry was on point, which added depth to Charlie’s grief. 

Other notable performances were Caitríona Balfe, who played the role of Inquiline, an anonymous information tipper who ended up helping Charlie through one of his revenge plans, and Laurence Fishburne, who played Colonel Henderson, the protagonist’s mentor figure turned hunter. 

Our only gripe with the colonel was that we had hoped his relationship with Charlie would have been given a little bit more screen time, which brings us to the film’s weakness. Despite its strong emotional anchor, the movie had some plot holes, which were slightly obscured by the gripping action sequences. 

Yes, it was a thrill ride from start to finish, keeping us on the edge of our seats as the story took us across Europe, but since the story progressed quickly, it left little room to linger on character developments or deepen their relationships. 

Some of the things Charlie had accomplished also seemed out of this world, which was mainly due to how the film didn’t show much about what happened in between, omitting some important planning aspects for his grand hunt. It only showed us snippets of how he set up these explosive traps, which left the rest to our imagination. 

However, being plot-driven does match the vibe of a CIA thriller since audiences would be expecting more action than dialogue, but this film had a good balance of both! It kept tensions high throughout the film and connected audiences with the characters well, making the journey not only entertaining but meaningful. 

Final Verdict

Overall, “The Amateur” is a film reminiscent of old-school spy movies we know and love, a thoughtfully crafted story centered on one’s humanity. It’s thought-provoking without the dull moments in between, and it provides the perfect balance of action and heart. 

“The Amateur” is our new favorite morally grey character, and despite the violence and the character’s desire for revenge, it portrays a protagonist that is layered and sympathetic, you can’t help but root for — all thanks to Rami’s brilliant performance. Is he a hero or a villain? We think it’s pointless to decide, considering that as humans, aren’t we all a little bit of both?

If you’re looking for an entertaining, gripping thrill ride with peak acting, make sure to get front-row seats for this one. “The Amateur” is out now in Philippine cinemas, and the rest of the world on Apr. 11. 

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