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Trailer

The Professional

1981Movie1 h 48 min

74
GoodGoodWatch score
IMDb7.4Letterboxd3.6/5Rotten Tomatoes–81%

A thrilling, tense action movie about crime and politics.

Good for friends night · pure escapism · thought-provoking

Skip it if graphic violence bothers you · you want something quiet and calm

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Not for warmth, comfort or laughs.

Movies with

Story

Never leave vengeance to amateurs.

Josselin Beaumont, a French secret agent, is tasked with assassinating Njala, the president for life of Malawi in Africa. A shift in French policy means that assassinating Njala is no longer an option. But instead of recalling their agent, high-ranking officials deliberately sacrifice Beaumont by handing him over to the Malawian authorities. Arrested, tried, and imprisoned, he nevertheless manages to escape. Back in Paris after a two-year absence, he informs his superiors through Colonel Martin that he will fulfill his contract during Njala’s upcoming official visit to Paris between the 12th and 15th of this month, and that he has a few scores to settle with the D.G.S.E. The question is, should Beaumont be stopped or not?

Feels like

  • French Action Thriller
  • Political Intrigue
  • Revenge
  • Betrayal
  • Espionage
  • 80s Cinema
  • Violent Action
  • Morally Ambiguous

Cast

21 of 21

Crew

Directed by
Georges Lautner
Written by
Jacques Audiard, Michel Audiard, Georges Lautner
Produced by
Alain Belmondo
Music by
Ennio Morricone

Everyone

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

Facts

October 21, 1981 · 1 h 48 min · Violence

Released
October 21, 1981
Runtime
1 h 48 min
Content
Violence
Genres
Action, Adventure, Thriller
Original language
French
Made in
France
Available in
15 countries

Tropes

The Bad Guys Are Cops, Analogy Backfire, Dysfunctional Family +9

  • The Bad Guys Are Cops
  • Analogy Backfire
  • Dysfunctional Family
  • Self-Surgery
  • Licked by the Dog
  • Roaring Rampage of Rescue
  • Bittersweet Ending
  • French Accordion
  • Would Hurt a Child
  • Deadly Bath
  • Badass and Child Duo
  • Anyone Can Die

12 of 201 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

4 questions, like "Where can I stream The Professional?"

Questions about The Professional

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Professional?

Kanopy

In the United States, The Professional is free with ads on Kanopy. It also streams in 9 other countries.

Is The Professional worth watching?

74
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 74 (IMDb 7.4 and Letterboxd 3.6 out of 5).

Is The Professional in English?

French

No, it was made in French.

What tropes does The Professional use?

The Bad Guys Are CopsAnalogy BackfireDysfunctional FamilySelf-SurgeryLicked by the DogRoaring Rampage of RescueBittersweet EndingFrench AccordionWould Hurt a ChildDeadly BathBadass and Child DuoAnyone Can Dieand 189 more

TV Tropes lists 201 tropes for it, including The Bad Guys Are Cops, Analogy Backfire, and Dysfunctional Family.