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

75%

Tomatometer

64 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)

Nov 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

Jun 4, 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

Jun 4, 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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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Jun 16, 2026

2.5/4

Gary Oldman’s unbearably hammy turn ranks as perhaps the worst performance of his career.

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Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

Jul 6, 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

Jun 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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Ham M

@RT36044019 2 days ago

Wow factor

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Jake S

@TheBrewMan Oct 14, 2026

A cult classic. Another amazing flick from 1994.

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Scot S

@Scot4 Oct 5, 2026

Terrific opening scene that will grab you and keep your interest. There’s great character development and some pretty intense scenes with Gary Oldman that are dark yet humorous. The soundtrack is fantastic with a subtle nod to Nino Rita’s “Godfather”. IYKYK. This film introduced me to Luc Besson and his terrific body of work as well.

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nevaeh T

@RT77216399 Sep 26, 2026

The movie itself has great cinematography and the potential to be an amazing film. However, I can't help but be disgusted with the blatant (P3DOPHELIA) attempt at blurring lines between inappropriate relationships between grown men and young girls. As the adult, from the beginning Leon should have set clear boundaries between him and Mathilda if he was going to be looking after her permanently. However, that line continues to get crossed. Just because they don't explicitly "do" anything to break a crime, there was enough done that made you realize Leon was attracted to this minor!!!!!! And you can't deny that because at the end of this movie he literally says, "Mathilda I love you." ?!?!?!?!?! This is an issue and it's not normal and needs to be addressed. They easily could have written in the script that Leon had lost a daughter and was projecting his paternal instincts onto Mathilda and completely cut out her attraction to him. But no because a bunch of p3dos approved this film

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Huntin P

@PaxVobiscum80 Sep 20, 2026

Leon (1994) makes me feel very nostalgic. I lost my virginity at a screening of this movie. Alright fine, yes, it was home viewing, not at the cinema. But still, who could have guessed that the story of a lonesome hitman and an orphaned girl he befriends could be such an aphrodisiac? Jean Reno's finest hour in English-language filmmaking. Natalie Portman before the Star Wars debacle. Gary Oldman at the height of his powers ("Look what you did! LOOK what you DID!"). I'd be game to see a prequel to Leon, and not just in the hopes of getting a bit more.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 5, 2026

The Professional = a *4* star Movie

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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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