The Professional

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2:28

The Professional

R

1994

1h 55m

Mystery & Thriller

Action

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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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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)

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.

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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.

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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.

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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]

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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…’

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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...

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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.

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F B.

@ginge413 Jan 25

Both leads in Léon: The Professional delivered outstanding performances, and their connection felt very genuine.

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Jason K

@MNniceguy Jan 23

Probably my favorite movie.

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Mortal

@Kostas871 Jan 11

Extremely overrated. No great action or plot. The characters are rich and colorful but that's it.

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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.

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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.

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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 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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