Parents' Guide to The Professional (Leon)

Movie 1994 R 110 minutes
The Professional (Leon) Poster Image

Common Sense Media Review

Tom Cassidy By Tom Cassidy , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 16+

Action thriller has violence against kids, strong language.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 16+?

Any Positive Content?

Enjoy 3 free reviews when you get the Common Sense Media app .

  • The Professional Movie: Scene #1
  • The Professional Movie: Scene #2
  • The Professional Movie: Scene #3

Parent and Kid Reviews

See all
age 14+

Based on 3 parent reviews

 

 

See all 3 parent reviews
age 13+

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 dramastrong performancescaution violencecomplex themesnot for kidsemotional depth
Summarized with AI
 

 

See all 22 kid reviews

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?

Our review:
Parents say ( 3 ):
Kids say ( 22 ):

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 ...

Movie Details

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

The Professional (Leon) Poster Image

What to Watch Next

See all

Best Action Movies

See all

Best Action Games for Kids

See all recommended movie lists

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