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The Professional

Play trailer 2:28 Poster for The Professional R 1994 1h 55m Mystery & Thriller Action Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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76% Tomatometer 66 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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The Professional

The Professional

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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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Critics Reviews

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Ed Potton The Times (UK) 11/11/2019
4/5
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. Go to Full Review Peter Travers Rolling Stone 06/04/2014
Leave it to french writer-director Luc Besson (La Femme Nikita) to put a kinky twist on Orphan Annie and Daddy Warbucks. Go to Full Review Steven Rea Philadelphia Inquirer 06/04/2014
3/4
Ultimately, like La Femme Nikita, there may be less here than meets the eye. But what does meet the eye is pretty darn thrilling. Go to Full Review Yasser Medina Cinefilia 07/06/2024
7/10
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] Go to Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com 06/29/2024
4/5
‘…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…’ Go to Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews 10/13/2022
3.5/4
...a mostly enthralling thriller that captures the viewer’s interest and attention from the word go... Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Joe B @JBru4d Feb 12 Why is no one talking about the over sexualizing of a 12 year old, and the pedophilloic relationship between Leon and Mathilda. "This wouldn't be a good idea Mathilda"... yeah, how about because you're 12... not because of a past lover. I did really enjoy Gary Oldman's performance, never seen him as the bad guy but he did an excellent job. Could've been a good story concept but thought it was executed really weirdly, to the point it was quite disturbing. See more F B. @ginge413 Jan 25 Both leads in Léon: The Professional delivered outstanding performances, and their connection felt very genuine. See more Jason K @MNniceguy Jan 23 Probably my favorite movie. See more Mortal @Kostas871 Jan 11 Extremely overrated. No great action or plot. The characters are rich and colorful but that's it. See more Romas M @Romas Dec 21 reetings from Lithuania. "Léon" (1994) is essentially a movie with everything working so well that you might forgive it's lunatic plot and enjoy for what it is - a movie. The plot is like a fairytale for adults, that would never happen in real life, and there aren't people who live like Leon, nor there are 12 years old girls who can come armed with two weapons into police headquarters with main goal to kill a detective. But this is a movie for god-sake, and a great one it is. It is very sentimental, but that is just one of the parts that makes it's unique and unforgettable. Character are drawn very sharp in here and we start to care for both lead from the opening sequence of them together - that is because of performances, great and simple script and wonderful chemistry between two leads - this is still i think one of the very best performances by Natalie Portman. See more ㅇ ㅇ @Danni0505 Dec 4 a total favorite of mine. I really enjoyed the detailed emotions that made everything make sense. how each characters cure from each other. also I liked after Mathilda and Leon got closer, Leon started to get injured while he never got injured before. How he chose to sacrifice himself for Mathilda. I really love the scene where Mathilda takes Leon's plant and planted it where it cannot grow. Also love the I love you scene. it made me cry. this movie is a absolute must see and I bet you would enjoy it. See more Read all reviews
The Professional

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Cast & Crew

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Luc Besson

Director

Jean Reno

Léon

Gary Oldman

Stansfield

Natalie Portman

Mathilda

Danny Aiello

Tony

Peter Appel

Malky

Movie Clips

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The Professional

The Professional: Official Clip - I Love You The Professional: Official Clip - I Love You 2:09 The Professional: Official Clip - From Mathilda The Professional: Official Clip - From Mathilda 2:09 The Professional: Official Clip - Everyone! The Professional: Official Clip - Everyone! 2:11 The Professional: Official Clip - Hostage Exchange The Professional: Official Clip - Hostage Exchange 2:12 The Professional: Official Clip - Bodyguard Takedown The Professional: Official Clip - Bodyguard Takedown 2:10 The Professional: Official Clip - Sniper Lessons The Professional: Official Clip - Sniper Lessons 2:06 The Professional: Official Clip - Do You Like Life, Sweetheart? The Professional: Official Clip - Do You Like Life, Sweetheart? 1:55 The Professional: Official Clip - One Minute Past The Professional: Official Clip - One Minute Past 2:10 View more videos
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The Professional

Transformers: Actors In Disguise Transformers: Actors In Disguise 2:11 Leon: The Professional: Trailer 1 Leon: The Professional: Trailer 1 2:28 View more videos
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The Professional

A scene from "The Professional." A scene from "The Professional." A scene from "The Professional." The Professional (1994) The Professional (1994) View more photos

Movie Info

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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