The Professional (1981)
Kernel Score: 81% · 576 ratings
Genres: Action, Adventure, Thriller
Released: 1981-10-21
Runtime: 108 minutes
Where to watch The Professional
- Free with ads: Kanopy
- Rent: Prime Video
- Buy: Prime Video
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
French secret service agent Josselin Beaumont is dispatched to take down African warlord N'Jala. But when his assignment is canceled, he's shocked to learn that his government is surrendering him to local authorities. He is given a mock trial and sentenced to 20 years of hard labor. But Beaumont escapes from prison and vows not only to avenge himself against his betrayers but also to finish his original assignment.
The Professional parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that The Professional is an action-thriller about a French secret agent betrayed by his government who escapes prison to seek revenge.
- Violence & scariness: Strong — Involves a political assassination plot, prison escape, sniper action, and revenge-driven violence.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Professional
If you liked The Professional, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Mesrine: Public Enemy #1 (2008) — 80%
- The French Connection (1971) — 87%
- Prison Break: The Final Break (2009) — 84%
- Who Am I? (1998) — 81%
- Black Panther (2018) — 83%
- Armour of God (1986) — 77%
- Odds and Evens (1978) — 78%
- Itinerary of a Spoiled Child (1988) — 80%
Director
Georges Lautner
Cast
- Jean-Paul Belmondo as Joss Beaumont
- Robert Hossein as Commissaire Rosen
- Elisabeth Margoni as Jeanne Baumont
- Jean-Louis Richard as Colonel Martin
- Jean Desailly as Ministre
- Michel Beaune as Capitaine Valeras
- Cyrielle Clair as Alice Ancelin
- Pierre Vernier as Salvatore Volfoni
- Marie-Christine Descouard as Doris Frederiksen
- Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu as L'inspecteur Farges
The Professional FAQ
Is The Professional good?
The Professional has an 81% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 576 audience ratings.
Where can I watch The Professional?
In the US you can watch it free with ads on Kanopy and rent it from Prime Video.
Is The Professional OK for kids?
Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that The Professional is an action-thriller about a French secret agent betrayed by his government who escapes prison to seek revenge.
What movies are like The Professional?
If you liked The Professional, try Mesrine: Public Enemy #1, The French Connection, Prison Break: The Final Break and Who Am I?.