Common Sense Media Review
By Tom Cassidy
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Action thriller has violence against kids, strong language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Professional (Leon)
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 3 parent reviews
Based on 22 kid reviews
Kids say this film is an engaging mix of intense drama and action, showcasing standout performances from its leads, particularly a young Natalie Portman. While viewers appreciate its great plot and emotional depth, many caution that the violence, strong language, and complex themes surrounding the relationship between the characters may not be suitable for younger audiences.
- intense drama
- strong performances
- caution violence
- complex themes
- not for kids
- emotional depth
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In THE PROFESSIONAL, when 12-year-old Mathilda's (Natalie Portman) family is killed by corrupt drug enforcement agents, she is taken in by Leon (Jean Reno), an assassin who teaches her his trade.
Is It Any Good?
Luc Besson's super-stylish action movie is a cool and bloody update of the bad man with a heart of gold story. Sad-eyed Reno is Leon, the milk guzzling lone gunman and THE PROFESSIONAL, who takes Portman's 12-year-old Mathilda under his wing when her family is killed. What follows is an Amelie-style magical realist action picture, albeit with lashings of stylized violence in a movie land version of New York.
Besson draws from the carefree French New Wave and the no-nonsense approach of '80s and '90s American B movies for a tight and direct ride. It's smart, confident, and convincing filmmaking. The same praise can be said of the cast. As Mathilda, Portman's performance -- her debut role -- defies her young years as a character for which there was no previous template. Young killers-in-training are rarely the types of characters to root for. But set against the deliciously detestable corrupt drug enforcement agent, Stanfield (Gary Oldman), you can't help but be on the side of Leon and his young apprentice, who as a double act form one of cinema's most unforgettable and unique anti-hero duos.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in The Professional. Was it shocking, or thrilling? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
Discuss the strong language used in the movie. Did it seem necessary, or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
Talk about how the movie depicts smoking and drug use. Are they glamorized? Do the characters need to do these things to look cool? What are the consequences?
Did you find yourself rooting for Leon and Mathilda even though Leon is a hitman? If so, why do you think this was? Discuss what it means to be an anti-hero.
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 18, 1994
- On DVD or streaming : February 24, 1998
- Cast : Jean Reno , Natalie Portman , Gary Oldman
- Director : Luc Besson
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Columbia Pictures
- Genre : Thriller
- Run time : 110 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : scenes of strong graphic violence, and for language.
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate