The Professional

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The Professional

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Guilherme O

Um mundo familiar onde nem todos são o que parece. Com duas horas de duração, mas parecendo passar num piscar de olhos, “O Profissional” é envolvente, inteligente, bem escrito e profundamente humano.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/05/24

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Mani G

I loved the movie. This is one of those rare movies where I felt no conflict between what happened and what I thought should have been better, throughout the movie. Even though I felt sad sometimes, but it was the right and obvious choice. The relationship between Mathilda and Leon felt real. Mathilda having lived in a toxic household clung to someone who showed even an ounce of protection for her and Leon having lived alone most of his life found a companion in Mathilda. Both the actors did a great job and definitely the director Luc Besson did the best. Also, Gary Oldman was also likeable in someway, the way he lived the character, I just loved it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/30/24

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Marlon W

a good movie from start to finish, the emotional connection between Leon and Matilda is moving, one of the best relationships I've ever seen in a movie, with a surprising and sad ending, this movie is perfect

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/27/24

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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