Léon: The Professional

Name: Léon: The Professional
Director: Luc Besson
Genre: Crime, Drama, Action
Released: 1994-01-01
Duration: 111 min
Rating: 8.3
Cast: Jean Reno, Natalie Portman, Gary Oldman, Danny Aiello, Peter Appel

1994Dir. Luc Besson1h 51m

Track this movie free Wishlist

Check price on Amazon Browse eBay listings

Amazon and eBay links may be affiliate links.

Watch the trailer

via YouTube

Runtime1h 51m

Released1994

Budget$16M

Box office$45.3M

DirectorLuc Besson

About This Movie

Léon: The Professional has this gritty, almost poetic vibe that seeps into every frame. Besson's direction creates a strange bond between Léon, this hardened hitman, and Mathilda, a kid thrust into a dark world. The pacing is interesting, balancing moments of violence with quiet introspection. Jean Reno’s portrayal of Léon is nuanced—he’s not just a killer, but a flawed guardian, while Natalie Portman brings a raw intensity to Mathilda's search for revenge. The practical effects during the action scenes have a weight to them that CGI just can't replicate. There's a real sense of atmosphere, especially in the neon-lit streets of New York. It’s a haunting exploration of love and loss, wrapped in a crime drama package.

Available in Blu-ray and DVD formats.Shot on location in various NYC neighborhoods.Features a haunting score by Eric Serra.Natalie Portman’s debut role at age 12.