The Professional

The Professional

Never leave vengeance to amateurs.

Directed by Georges Lautner

Produced by Cerito Films, Les Films Ariane

1981108 min7.2 / 10

A taut political thriller about a betrayed French spy seeking vengeance against his own government, balancing espionage intrigue with personal reckoning.

Josselin Beaumont, a French secret agent, is tasked with assassinating Njala, the president for life of Malawi in Africa. A shift in French policy means that assassinating Njala is no longer an option. But instead of recalling their agent, high-ranking officials deliberately sacrifice Beaumont by handing him over to the Malawian authorities. Arrested, tried, and imprisoned, he nevertheless manages to escape. Back in Paris after a two-year absence, he informs his superiors through Colonel Martin that he will fulfill his contract during Njala’s upcoming official visit to Paris between the 12th and 15th of this month, and that he has a few scores to settle with the D.G.S.E. The question is, should Beaumont be stopped or not?

Where to watch

Questions people ask

  • Is The Professional violent? Yes. More violent than 80% of films.

  • Is The Professional scary? Yes. More frightening than 76% of films.

  • Is The Professional sad? Somewhat. More sad than 61% of films.

  • Is The Professional easy watching? Not especially. Less comforting than 61% of films.

  • Does The Professional end with hope? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

53/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

Familiar shape, done well.

Rarity18

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise80

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love75

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Everything like The Professional, and what each one shares →

Like The Professional

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as The Professional

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like The Professional, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like The Professional, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like The Professional, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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