Leon: The Professional
The brief
Besson crafts this oddball mentor-student story with genuine heart beneath the slick Eurotrash action styling, anchored by Jean Reno's fascinatingly gentle killer and a ferocious 12-year-old Natalie Portman in her film debut. Gary Oldman goes completely unhinged as the villain, chewing scenery like his life depends on it, while the film walks a tonal tightrope between tender character moments and brutal violence without ever feeling exploitative. The pacing builds slowly as this makeshift family forms, then explodes into cat-and-mouse action that feels both intimate and operatic. Perfect for anyone who loves unconventional crime dramas like True Romance or wants to see where Portman's intensity was born.
The verdict
If you love unconventional crime dramas that blend tender character development with brutal action, this is essential viewing for Jean Reno's mesmerizing gentle assassin and a powerhouse debut from 12-year-old Natalie Portman. If you prefer straightforward action without heavy emotional investment or feel uncomfortable with violent stories involving children, skip this for something more conventional.
Watch with
- 👤 Perfect for a solo viewing experience
- ⚠️ Skip with kids due to violence and themes
Heads up
- Child in dangerous situations throughout (frequent)
- Graphic gun violence and death scenes (moderate)
- Family murder including children (brief)
- Drug use and corrupt police (moderate)
Credits
- Director
- Luc Besson
- Cast
- Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman, Danny Aiello, Michael Badalucco
Official synopsis
A professional assassin reluctantly takes in a 12-year-old girl after her parents are murdered. Together, they
