The Professional

About

"The Professional" is a single-player comedy simulation game that offers a wholesome and entertaining story. In the game, players experience an excruciatingly simulated heist filled with laughs and challenges. If you encounter permission issues while opening the game on a Mac, try installing it using the itch.io app or executing the provided command line instructions for a smoother experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 100 reviews

story13 positive mentions

stability1 negative mentions

The film features outstanding performances from Jean Reno, Natalie Portman, and Gary Oldman, with Portman's role being particularly impressive for her age.
The extended version adds depth to the story and character development, enhancing the emotional impact of the relationship between Leon and Mathilda.
Luc Besson's direction combines action with a poignant narrative, creating a unique blend of dark humor and heartfelt moments.

The film's themes and the nature of the relationship between the adult hitman and the young girl can be uncomfortable and controversial for some viewers.
Some critics feel that the added footage in the extended version disrupts the pacing and alters the original tone of the film.
Gary Oldman's portrayal of the antagonist is seen as over-the-top by some, which may detract from the film's overall seriousness.

story
55 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
71%
5%
The story of the film is a complex blend of action and an unconventional love narrative, centered around the relationship between a hitman, Leon, and a young girl, Mathilda, who seeks vengeance for her family's murder. While the American version is criticized for its edits that create plot holes and diminish character depth, the original cut is praised for its nuanced storytelling and character development, despite some viewers finding the themes of violence and sexual tension disturbing. Overall, the film is recognized for its engaging plot, strong performances, and the emotional weight of its characters' interactions.
- “Gritty and innovative in its look into a relationship forged from desperation, the film offers a subtle complexity in storytelling.”
- “Overall, an excellent action film, embedded in an intriguing story with an interesting human relationship.”
- “At the heart of this movie are two great actors and a simple story, incredibly well-told.”
- “The American version is a very good film, but the deleted footage added plot holes while lacking the depth and nuances in the original.”
- “Well, it is, and there are some huge logic jumps and gaping plot holes.”
- “The director is extremely talented but, frankly, the storyline that is built around sexual tension between an adult man and a 12-year-old girl is just gross and disturbing.”
optimization
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
39%
9%
The reviews highlight that the film is exceptionally well-optimized in terms of video quality, utilizing Sony's Superbit technology for superior encoding. This technical excellence complements the film's strong performances and direction, creating a cohesive and immersive viewing experience. Overall, the optimization enhances the film's visual appeal, making it a standout in its genre.
- “It is mastered using Sony's Superbit - optimized video encoded at double the normal rate.”
- “Reno and Portman deliver excellent performances, but it is Oldman who provides the needed offbeat sadism in his character that adds to the film's intensity and makes the story work.”
- “The sets, the music, the performances, the effects, the direction... Leon is one of those few films in which everything seems to fit.”
- “It's possible to see that he could have turned in a performance that would scare you, but he opted to play it over the top.”
- “That performance alone makes this movie worth seeing, but a tight plot, bad guys you love to hate, and believable action raise it well above the pack.”
music
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The music in the film, composed by Eric Serra, is highly praised for its originality and emotional depth, complementing the film's narrative and character development. Reviewers highlight the effective use of classical music, particularly in relation to the character Stansfield, and note the impact of specific songs, such as "Matilda," which resonates with the film's themes. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant element that enhances the viewing experience.
- “Fantastic acting, wonderful story, great photography, and an exciting, unusual, and original music score would have been my review title if there was enough room.”
- “The sets, the music, the performances, the effects, the direction... Léon is one of those few films in which everything seems to fit.”
- “I was recommended by a former boss by the soundtrack and immediately searched for the movie and fell in love with it!”
- “The big blue had about a half hour chopped out and a new soundtrack.”
- “Stansfield, played brilliantly by Gary Oldman, is a pill-popping psychotic whose only redeeming feature seems to be a love of classical music.”
- “Fantastic acting, wonderful story, great photography and exciting, unusual and original music score would have been my review title if there was enough room.”
emotional
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the film is highlighted by Leon's profound character development and the intense, heartbreaking finale that marks a pivotal moment in his life. The performances, particularly by Gary Oldman and Natalie Portman, evoke a raw emotional power, while the film navigates complex themes of love and moral ambiguity, particularly in the context of a young girl's feelings for an older man. Overall, the film is described as a gripping blend of action and emotional depth, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.
- “This is also the defining moment in Leon's life, where his soul-searching reaches an end... as one finds out in the tense and heartbreaking finale that follows immediately after.”
- “Together and taken as a whole, the cast, the script, the setting, and the 'professional' manner in which this movie was filmed and carried out makes it one of the most entertaining, exciting, dramatic, and heartbreaking movies I've ever seen.”
- “Sporting many European influences in the final product for this film resulted in an emotionally charged and layered story, strategically interspersed with relevant and appropriate action sequences.”
humor
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "Leon" is characterized by its dark and often unexpected moments, skillfully woven into a well-defined story and character development. Reviewers appreciate the blend of action and comedy, particularly noting the amusing dynamics between characters, especially with Natalie Portman's portrayal. Overall, the film balances humor with its more serious themes, making it both entertaining and engaging.
- “Luc's fine writing into a very well-crafted story with very detailed characters, lovely scenery shots of early 90s New York City, and a nice added touch of action and some dark humor.”
- “Her dramatic rantings, while over the top, are quite fascinating and downright funny to watch.”
- “Portman is not only actually watchable in this (she was what, 12?), she is downright good and funny.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
Reviews highlight that "Leon" excels in character development, offering a well-defined story that keeps viewers engaged throughout its runtime. While the protagonist's growth is praised, some critics feel that additional development for the antagonist, Stansfield, could have enhanced the narrative further. Overall, the film is celebrated for its compelling characters and dark humor, contributing to its status as a favorite among viewers.
- “All in all, where 'The Professional' is just a decent action movie, 'Leon' actually has a well-defined story to it and real character development that has you sitting on the edge of your chair for 2 hours and 16 minutes, with the occasional burst of laughter. Luc Besson always manages to add some - albeit dark - humor into his movies.”
- “It is my favorite movie (and I consider myself a film buff); it has amazing action, amazing character development, amazing acting, just amazing everything.”
- “He did very well, but with another 5 or 10 minutes of character development and story, his character, Stansfield, the head antagonist, could have been written 20 times better.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users report a stable experience with no glitches or scratches, indicating a smooth gameplay performance.