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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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

The 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

Full Review

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Patrick C

If you read a simplified version of the film's plot, you'd probably make some kind of derisive snort and move on. But like many a creative endeavour over the years, talent and craft can turn a barely believable story into great art. Jean Leno and Gary Oldman excel as hitman Leon and his corrupt nemesis Stansfield. But the true star is Natalie Portman in her debut, bringing a convincing mix of innocence and precocious maturity to her role as Leon's 'apprentice'. Luc Besson's direction is stylish and proceeds at a rapid clip, but without ever becoming mannered. Highly entertaining and highly recommended.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/21/25

Full Review

Alex A

As a Mexican American all i can think is this reminds me of Narco Traffickers in Mexico not just hit 1 person but their entire family including the dogs. In a perfect world Matilda lives and gets her revenge, in a cruel and unforgiving world the bad guys win. I've watched this 7 times and i just found out about this movie last month.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/13/25

Full Review

Oaklee D

This film was amazing, it really captured Leon's human side and that ending brought a tear to my eye. Definitely worth the watch.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/03/25

Full Review

Obi-wan K

Grape 👍

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/03/25

Full Review

Felix L

Never at any point did I see Mathilda in any sexual light, even when she was trying to come onto Leon. Portman does a great job portraying the clumsiness and confusion of the character trying to make sense of her feelings and reliance and idolation, but most of all the Director puts us in Leon's shoes and shows us without telling us that his feelings for her are pure. A true classic.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/18/25

Full Review

Harvey K

Watched it a few times. Jean Reno is always fantastique. And double Hot. Miss Portman is a star but after a few watchings her character starts to become Highly Annoyalistic. People who don't do what they're told. Ssssssssshhh.....!!!!! 😏😏😏

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/16/25

Full Review

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Luc Besson

Director

Jean Reno

Léon

Gary Oldman

Stansfield

Natalie Portman

Mathilda

Danny Aiello

Tony

Peter Appel

Malky

The Professional: Official Clip - I Love You

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The Professional: Official Clip - From Mathilda

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The Professional: Official Clip - Everyone!

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The Professional: Official Clip - Hostage Exchange

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The Professional: Official Clip - Bodyguard Takedown

2:10

The Professional: Official Clip - Sniper Lessons

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

1:55

The Professional: Official Clip - One Minute Past

2:10

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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 Pictures, Columbia TriStar Home Video
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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