Martin Ruhe ASC, lends his signature visual style to The Amateur, an action-packed thriller set for release by 20th Century Studios in theatres on April 11, 2025.
Working alongside director James Hawes, Ruhe crafts a suspenseful journey led by Oscar-winner Rami Malek as CIA code specialist Charles Heller.
In The Amateur, Heller’s world is shattered when his wife is killed in a London terrorist attack. Consumed by grief and driven by vengeance, he turns to his CIA bosses for help, but when they refuse to act, he takes matters into his own hands. Embarking on a perilous journey around the globe, to hunt down those responsible, Heller uses his intelligence to outsmart his pursuers in a relentless quest for revenge.
Ruhe chose to film The Amateur using ARRI Alexa Mini cameras paired with ARRI’s Alfa anamorphic lenses, known for their cinematic depth and intimate close-up capabilities. This combination was crucial for capturing the stark contrast between Heller’s controlled, subdued life and the chaotic, high-stakes environments he’s thrust into. The large format and true 2:1 anamorphic aspect ratio enhanced the emotional resonance, making each frame feel expansive and deeply personal.
The film’s production spanned multiple countries, with key sequences shot in London, Paris, Marseille, and Istanbul. Ruhe embraced the unique character of each location, using practical settings and lighting to amplify the film’s realism. “The locations became characters in the story,” Ruhe says, “allowing us to film almost 360 degrees whenever possible, giving the audience a sense of immersion.”
With his ability to heighten suspense and emotional depth, Ruhe turns The Amateur into a gripping exploration of justice, loss and survival in a story where no one is truly safe.
