The Professional

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2:28

The Professional

R

Released Nov 18, 1994

1h 55m

Mystery & Thriller

Action

Crime

Drama

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Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

75%

Tomatometer

67 Reviews

95%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Mathilda (Natalie Portman) is only 12 years old, but is already familiar with the dark side of life: her abusive father stores drugs for corrupt police officers, and her mother neglects her. Léon (Jean Reno), who lives down the hall, tends to his houseplants and works as a hired hitman for mobster Tony (Danny Aiello). When her family is murdered by crooked DEA agent Stansfield (Gary Oldman), Mathilda joins forces with a reluctant Léon to learn his deadly trade and avenge her family's deaths.

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Critics Consensus

Pivoting on the unusual relationship between seasoned hitman and his 12-year-old apprentice -- a breakout turn by young Natalie Portman -- Luc Besson's Léon is a stylish and oddly affecting thriller.

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Ed Potton

Times (UK)

Luc Besson's first English-language hit is, like much of the Frenchman's work, less than subtle, yet it is stylish, disturbing and weirdly moving.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 11, 2019

Full Review

Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

Leave it to french writer-director Luc Besson (La Femme Nikita) to put a kinky twist on Orphan Annie and Daddy Warbucks.

Jun 4, 2014

Full Review

Steven Rea

Philadelphia Inquirer

Ultimately, like La Femme Nikita, there may be less here than meets the eye. But what does meet the eye is pretty darn thrilling.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 4, 2014

Full Review

Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

As an action thriller, often stylized with violence and irony, never loses its pulse or sense of intrigue as it explores the urban tale about the professional killer who protects the orphan girl in the corrupt streets of New York. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 7/10

Jul 6, 2024

Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

‘…Leon: The Professional is notable for a trio of iconic performances from Jean Reno, Natalie Portman and Gary Oldman, the latter setting a gold standard for manic villainy that’s rarely been bettered…’

Rated: 4/5

Jun 29, 2024

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a mostly enthralling thriller that captures the viewer’s interest and attention from the word go...

Rated: 3.5/4

Oct 13, 2022

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João Victor M

The direction wasn't exceptional, but Gary Oldman’s performance as the policeman who listens to music stood out and effectively conveyed the director's intent. The story felt too short, skipping over Natalie Portman’s Matilda's development after losing her family. Danny Aiello’s Tony deserves credit for opposing her training as a killer, and the plot could have been better developed if Matilda had helped Jean Reno’s Léon leave that life, considering her past trauma. The ending, initially seeming cliché, turned out to be surprising and intelligent, with a symbolic touch in the scene where she plants Léon's plant.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/19/25

Full Review

Marcus K

Great action movie. Would highly recommend.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/18/25

Full Review

Joshua P

Such a great film. It's amazing - there is definitely a lot to be said about the film and art that gets people talking does a really good job in my opinion. I loved it. However, it can't be denied that the production of the film was really dodgy. Natalie Portman didn't deserve what she got. When you're hurting people or animals or destroying stuff of real value in the purpose of creating art, the ends never justify the means. It didn't in Natalie Portman's case, it didn't in Shelly Duvall's case, it didn't in the case of the animals hurt in the making of Cannibal Holocaust.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/30/24

Full Review

Landon J

It was rather.... weird to see the one sided and frankly uncomfortable dynamic between the leads during moments of this movie. This plot goes about exactly as you think it does. Points for Oldman being maniacal in this, and young Portman's acting. Some good actions scenes throughout. Not bad, nor groundbreaking for the genre.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

12/25/24

Full Review

Tyler G

Outstanding cinematography and pacing. Could have done without some of the Lolita elements, but a great, great movie nonetheless.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/16/24

Full Review

Shogo I

Everyone in this is brilliant, but Gary Oldman absolutely steals the show.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/05/24

Full Review

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Luc Besson

Director

Jean Reno

Léon

Gary Oldman

Stansfield

Natalie Portman

Mathilda

Danny Aiello

Tony

Peter Appel

Malky

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Synopsis

Mathilda (Natalie Portman) is only 12 years old, but is already familiar with the dark side of life: her abusive father stores drugs for corrupt police officers, and her mother neglects her. Léon (Jean Reno), who lives down the hall, tends to his houseplants and works as a hired hitman for mobster Tony (Danny Aiello). When her family is murdered by crooked DEA agent Stansfield (Gary Oldman), Mathilda joins forces with a reluctant Léon to learn his deadly trade and avenge her family's deaths.

Director: Luc Besson
Screenwriter: Luc Besson
Distributor: Columbia TriStar Home Video, Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Gaumont, Gaumont International, Les Films du Dauphin
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Action, Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 18, 1994, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $19.0M
Runtime: 1h 55m
Sound Mix: Surround, SDDS, Dolby Digital

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