The Professional

R

Released Nov 18, 1994

1 hr. 55 min.

Mystery & Thriller

Action

Crime

Drama

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List

74%

66 Reviews

Tomatometer

95%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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Ian R

One of the best action films of all time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/21/24

Full Review

Aender S

A masterpiece. Great acting from the main cast, especially Natalie Portman who was already an excellent actress at that young age, beautiful takes in the typical Luc Besson manner and a fitting musical score. And then there's the thrilling story, highly re-watchable even if you already know how the film will end.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/15/24

Full Review

Alejandro E

Una historia de venganza que destila frescura y se sostiene bastante bien con las actuaciones de Jean Reno y una incipiente Natalie Portman. Un clásico en automático de los años 90.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/24

Full Review

Dani G

One of the most beloved odd couples of all time, Léon and Mathilda; in one of the best cult classics of the 90's

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/29/24

Full Review

wade w

Truly one of the best movies I have ever seen and not just in the action genre but in general. The story, cast, action sequences with the cinematography and the villain was just phenomenal. This movie ranks 10/10 in everything. If you are a fan of drama, thriller and action this is a must watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/29/24

Full Review

Garvis W

I used to really like this movie and still do tbh, I remember the cinematography being pretty good and Gary Oldman was great in this That being said I feel like it tried a bit too hard and so the writing was a little weird and kind of felt forced/unnatural in places, so some scenes are kind of off-putting Still a great movie but a little... eh at times

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/22/24

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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The Professional: Official Clip - I Love You

2:09

The Professional: Official Clip - From Mathilda

2:09

The Professional: Official Clip - Everyone!

2:11

The Professional: Official Clip - Hostage Exchange

2:12

The Professional: Official Clip - Bodyguard Takedown

2:10

The Professional: Official Clip - Sniper Lessons

2:06

The Professional: Official Clip - Do You Like Life, Sweetheart?

1:55

The Professional: Official Clip - One Minute Past

2:10

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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

Roger Moore

Movie Nation

This picture is bracing and moving, flippant and cutesy, even. Oh, and unsettling to the point of disturbing, borderline repellent.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 17, 2023

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

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

There's a surprising amount of depth, drama, and affection for a film marketed primarily as a shoot-'em-up thriller.

Rated: 10/10

Sep 14, 2020

Full Review

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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
Executive Producer: Claude Besson
Screenwriter: Luc Besson
Distributor: Columbia Pictures, Columbia TriStar Home Video
Production Co: Gaumont, Les Films du Dauphin, Gaumont International
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
Sound Mix: Surround, SDDS, Dolby Digital

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