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

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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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

Garrett B

Great ideas, bad execution. Way too much cursing and acting is below average

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

12/04/24

Full Review

Leo W

A perfect movie. It may not be the book but it owns the screen.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/14/24

Full Review

Anton H

Every element in Luc Besson’s masterpiece—particularly the action, performances and directing—is superb. This is undeniably excellent filmmaking, despite the problematic material [more so in the extended “International Version”].

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/08/24

Full Review

Christian L

Fun, stylish action. The relationship between Leon and Matilda is questionable in the extended cut and taints my view of this film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/07/24

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

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The Professional: Official Clip - From Mathilda

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The Professional: Official Clip - Sniper Lessons

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

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The Professional: Official Clip - One Minute Past

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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, 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
Runtime: 1h 55m
Sound Mix: Surround, SDDS, Dolby Digital

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