The Professional | Rotten Tomatoes

The Professional

R

Released Nov 18, 1994

1h 55m

Mystery & Thriller

Action

Crime

Drama

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74%

Tomatometer

66 Reviews

95%

Audience Score

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Roger Moore

Movie Nation

This picture is bracing and moving, flippant and cutesy, even. Oh, and unsettling to the point of disturbing, borderline repellent.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 17, 2023

Full Review

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

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

There's a surprising amount of depth, drama, and affection for a film marketed primarily as a shoot-'em-up thriller.

Rated: 10/10

Sep 14, 2020

Full Review

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Rob F

A huge miss by the critics for not seeing this movie for the sublime masterpiece that it is. Gary Oldman steals every scene. Natalie portman holds her own despite her age. And god I love the screenplay so much. Whoever the writer is deserved probably 50x what they were paid.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/10/24

Full Review

Ozan Deniz K

It's a great movie. I love everything about it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/09/24

Full Review

Audience Member

its good! i adore the friendship in this film though some plot points seem to be missing.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/30/24

Full Review

Ian R

One of the best action films of all time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/21/24

Full Review

Aender S

A masterpiece. Great acting from the main cast, especially Natalie Portman who was already an excellent actress at that young age, beautiful takes in the typical Luc Besson manner and a fitting musical score. And then there's the thrilling story, highly re-watchable even if you already know how the film will end.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/15/24

Full Review

Alejandro E

Una historia de venganza que destila frescura y se sostiene bastante bien con las actuaciones de Jean Reno y una incipiente Natalie Portman. Un clásico en automático de los años 90.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/24

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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The Professional: Official Clip - I Love You

2:09

The Professional: Official Clip - From Mathilda

2:09

The Professional: Official Clip - Everyone!

2:11

The Professional: Official Clip - Hostage Exchange

2:12

The Professional: Official Clip - Bodyguard Takedown

2:10

The Professional: Official Clip - Sniper Lessons

2:06

The Professional: Official Clip - Do You Like Life, Sweetheart?

1:55

The Professional: Official Clip - One Minute Past

2:10

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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, Les Films du Dauphin, Gaumont International
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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