SummaryA go-for-broke thriller about a professional assassin whose work becomes dangerously personal. Calling himself a "cleaner", the mysterious Leon (Reno) is New York's top hitman. When his next-door neighbors are murdered, Leon becomes the unwilling guardian of the family's sole survivor - 12-year-old Mathilda (Portman), but Mathilda doesn't just wa... Read More
Directed By:Luc Besson
Written By:Luc Besson
The Professional
Metascore
Generally Favorable
64
User score
Universal Acclaim
8.3
My Score
Drag or tap to give a rating
Hover and click to give a rating
Where to Watch
Not available in your country?
ExpressVPN
Get 3 Extra months free
$6.67/mth
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
64
67% Positive
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
25% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
8% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
91
Ah, monsieur, you can lead a Frenchman to the Big Apple, but you can't make him a New Yorker -- and that's exactly what makes The Professional so fascinating.
80
Few action films can claim such complexities without conceding the bang-bang stuff that brings in the big money.
User score
Universal Acclaim
8.3
91% Positive
489 Ratings
489 Ratings
6% Mixed
30 Ratings
30 Ratings
3% Negative
17 Ratings
17 Ratings
Dec 21, 2025
10
Greetings 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 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. Directing, cinematography are great, with some clearly visible style and mood trough the film, which makes it feel like a unique - still.Overall, "Léon" is great action film with lots of well made sentiments. Performances are amazing by all three actors (Oldman including), but it's Natalie who steals the show. Add craftsmanship which creates this unique style, simple but sharp script and tons of sentimental moments (but not to much) and a bit coming of age story and you will get a mix of superb motion picture, a true fairytale for adults. This is a great picture. Still.
Dec 14, 2023
10
The acting from Reno, Portman and Oldman were extraordinary. From all the movies I've ever seen, Oldman portrayed the most villainous villain ever. After watching this movie, my teacher taught the whole class about what a story arc is.
75
With some surprisingly strong character interaction, there's a lot to like about this movie, at least for those willing to look beyond all the bloodshed.
63
Takes its viewers on a bouncing high-wire act between intense violence and sugar-sweet tenderness, with some light-hearted comedy along the way.
63
Besson has a natural gift for plunging into drama with a charged-up visual style.
50
Luc Besson is a masterly director of stylish, thrilling, and humorous action set pieces, and this film's bravura opening and closing sequences are two of the year's best.
30
Lacks the sexy elan of "La Femme Nikita" and suffers from infinitely worse culture shock. [18 Nov 1994, p.C18]
Apr 12, 2023
10
Thought this was pretty astounding on every level, its kind of messy but still slick and cool.
Jan 16, 2018
6
It's OK. Can't figure out why it made so many people cry. To me everything is usual.
May 15, 2015
5
Wrong choice tonight. The film takes a couple of risks that I appreciate, like showing a 12 year old trying to be sexy, smart and in love. Somehow politically incorrect, great!. But, the action and plot are clunky, ridiculously unrealistic, genre jumpy and ultimately disappointing. Entertaining, yes, but life's too short.
May 28, 2025
3
A very uncomfortable watch! Whilst it's well acted, and the action scenes are good, the over sexualisation of a child is totally inappropriate. The film comes across as trying to legitimise paedophilia, which is just not acceptable! The director ought to be ashamed of himself!
Sep 4, 2018
3
Stupid, glossy trash is a low point in the careers of all involved. Pretentious garbage.
Production Company:
- Columbia Pictures
- Gaumont
- Les Films du Dauphin
Release Date:Nov 18, 1994
Duration:1 h 50 m
Rating:R
Tagline:If you want the job done right, hire a professional.
Awards
César Awards, France
• 7 Nominations
Awards Circuit Community Awards
• 2 Wins & 5 Nominations
Motion Picture Sound Editors, USA
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
