Léon: The Professional (1994)

Léon: The Professional is a tense, stylish thriller about an unlikely bond that forms between a solitary hitman and a damaged twelve-year-old girl after violence rips her family apart. Léon (Jean Reno) is a reserved, methodical “cleaner” who lives a quiet life caring for his beloved plant until Mathilda (Natalie Portman, in her breakout role) seeks refuge in his apartment after her family is slaughtered by a corrupt DEA agent, Norman Stansfield (Gary Oldman). When Mathilda begs Léon to teach her the craft of killing so she can avenge her little brother, the two enter a fraught apprenticeship that forces both of them to confront loneliness, grief and the cost of vengeance. Watching the film you’ll experience a mix of intimate character drama and explosive action: lingering, quiet moments that reveal Léon’s humanity sit alongside sudden, brutal confrontations. Luc Besson’s direction blends moody, almost noir-ish visuals with manic, unpredictable energy—largely driven by Gary Oldman’s volatile, electrifying performance as the antagonist. The result is an emotionally charged ride that alternates tenderness and menace, with a slow-building emotional core that culminates in high-stakes violence and moral reckoning. The movie explores themes of innocence lost, surrogate family, and the moral ambiguity of revenge. It’s poignant and at times unsettling: the relationship between an adult assassin and a preteen is portrayed as protective and complex rather than romantic, and the narrative forces viewers to grapple with empathizing for characters who live outside the law. Expect striking performances, a memorable score, tense action set pieces, and a bittersweet, powerful ending. Content note: the film contains graphic violence, strong language, and disturbing scenes involving the murder of family members and child trauma. It’s best suited for mature audiences prepared for intense and emotional material.

Actors: Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman

Director: Luc Besson

Runtime: 110 min

Genres: Action, Crime, Drama

7.6 /10 64 /100 8.5 /10 7.5 /10