Léon: The Professional
Movie, 1994, 1993–1995, Set in New York
Léon: The Professional is #12 of 26 in release order and #10 of 26 in chronological order in the '90s Action.
The story
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.
Léon: The Professional recap
Leon is a quiet, illiterate hitman in New York who cares for a houseplant and takes jobs from the restaurant owner Tony. His neighbour Mathilda, twelve, lives with an abusive family. Corrupt DEA agent Norman Stansfield, who takes drugs, kills her whole family, including her four-year-old brother, over stolen cocaine. Mathilda, out at the shop, walks past her door and knocks on Leon's, and he lets her in. She asks him to teach her to kill so she can avenge her brother. Leon reluctantly trains her, and in return she teaches him to read. Mathilda tries to kill Stansfield alone at the DEA office and is caught.
Léon: The Professional ending explained
Leon rescues Mathilda, and Stansfield sends a police army to his apartment. Leon gets Mathilda out through a vent, then tries to walk out disguised as a wounded officer. Stansfield shoots him from behind, and the dying Leon hands him a grenade pin, saying it is from Mathilda, and blows them both up. Mathilda goes back to school and plants Leon's houseplant in the ground.
Post-credits scenes
No. There is no post-credits scene.
Where to watch Léon: The Professional
Léon: The Professional is streaming on Sundance Now, YouTube (free), and Tubi in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 8.5/10, Rotten Tomatoes 76%
Where it fits
- Release order: after True Lies, before Bad Boys.
- Chronological order: after True Lies, before Bad Boys.
Cast
- Jean Reno as Léon Montana
- Natalie Portman as Mathilda Lando
- Gary Oldman as Norman Stansfield
- Danny Aiello as Old Tony
- Peter Appel as Agent Malky
- Michael Badalucco as Mathilda's Father
- Ellen Greene as Mathilda's Mother
- Frank Senger as Fatman
- Elizabeth Regen as Mathilda's Sister
- Carl J. Matusovich as Mathilda's Brother
- Eric Challier as Bodyguard Chief
- Willi One Blood as 1st Stansfield Man
Directed by Luc Besson.