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Trailer

Léon: The Professional

1994Movie1 h 51 minR

CrimeDrama
77
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb8.5Metacritic648.3Rotten Tomatoes75%95%

A brutally violent, deeply moving crime movie about crime and family, with standout performances and direction.

Good for date night · friends night · teens

Skip it if graphic violence bothers you

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for warmth or laughs.

Movies with

Story

If you want the job done right, hire a professional.

Léon, the top hit man in New York, has earned a rep as an effective "cleaner". But when his next-door neighbors are wiped out by a loose-cannon DEA agent, he becomes the unwilling custodian of 12-year-old Mathilda. Before long, Mathilda's thoughts turn to revenge, and she considers following in Léon's footsteps.

Feels like

  • Stylized Crime Thriller
  • Unlikely Bond
  • Emotional Action Drama
  • Iconic Soundtrack
  • Choreographed Violence
  • Melancholic Atmosphere
  • Coming-of-Age Amidst Chaos
  • French New Wave Influence
  • Memorable Character Study

Cast

24 of 40

Crew

Directed by
Luc Besson
Written by
Luc Besson
Produced by
Patrice Ledoux
Music by
Éric Serra

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

September 14, 1994 · 1 h 51 min · R

Released
September 14, 1994
Runtime
1 h 51 min
Age rating
R
Content
Violence, Strong Language, Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Crime, Drama, Action
Original language
French
Also spoken
English, Italian
Made in
France
Budget
$16 million
Box office
$20 million
Available in
60 countries

Tropes

Gratuitous Foreign Language, Age-Gap Romance, Primal Scene +9

  • Gratuitous Foreign Language
  • Age-Gap Romance
  • Primal Scene
  • Defiant to the End
  • Bested by the Inexperienced
  • Establishing Character Moment
  • She Cleans Up Nicely
  • Jurisdiction Friction
  • Reckless Gun Usage
  • Tangled Family Tree
  • We've Got Company
  • Oh, Crap!

12 of 200 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

5 questions, like "Where can I stream Léon: The Professional?"

Questions about Léon: The Professional

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Léon: The Professional?

Sundance NowTubi TVSony Pictures Core

In the United States, Léon: The Professional streams on Sundance Now and Sony Pictures Core, and it is free with ads on Tubi TV. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, and Plex. It also streams in 50 other countries.

Is Léon: The Professional worth watching?

77
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 77 (IMDb 8.5, Rotten Tomatoes 75%, and Metacritic 64). Audiences rate it higher (88 out of 100) than critics (70).

Is Léon: The Professional plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (9 of 10) and pathos (9 of 10) more than on its plot.

Is Léon: The Professional in English?

FrenchEnglishItalian

No, it was made in French, with some English and Italian.

What tropes does Léon: The Professional use?

Gratuitous Foreign LanguageAge-Gap RomancePrimal SceneDefiant to the EndBested by the InexperiencedEstablishing Character MomentShe Cleans Up NicelyJurisdiction FrictionReckless Gun UsageTangled Family TreeWe've Got CompanyOh, Crap!and 188 more

TV Tropes lists 200 tropes for it, including Gratuitous Foreign Language, Age-Gap Romance, and Primal Scene.