The Professional 2 (2025)

After two decades since Luc Besson's The Professional (1994) and a year of swirling rumors, the long-awaited sequel has finally arrived — but with a brutal twist. Titled The Professional 2 (2025), the film isn’t a direct continuation of the original, but a spiritual successor starring Jason Statham as a ruthless contract killer caught between his past and a chance at redemption.

Directed by Pierre Morel (Taken, District B13) and co-produced by EuropaCorp and Lionsgate, the film reinvents the concept of the lone hitman, introducing a new character — Ethan Voss, played by Statham — who channels the stoic deadliness of Léon while forging his own, grittier path through the underworld.

The Professional 2 follows Ethan Voss, a highly efficient and emotionally detached assassin operating across Europe under the alias "The Ghost." After a lifetime of violence, Ethan is planning his final mission before disappearing for good. But when he rescues a teenage girl named Liana — the daughter of a slain journalist — from a human trafficking ring connected to one of his clients, his carefully constructed world collapses.

Haunted by memories of his own forgotten childhood and guilt from years of killing, Ethan becomes Liana’s reluctant protector. With both Interpol and elite mercenaries on their trail, the two form an unlikely bond as they race across Prague, Berlin, and Marseille, exposing a global conspiracy involving politicians, weapons dealers, and a mysterious assassin known only as “The Architect.”

Jason Statham, best known for his high-octane roles in The Transporter and The Expendables, delivers a performance that critics are calling his most nuanced to date. “Ethan isn’t just another badass,” says Statham. “He’s a man buried under layers of violence, trying to remember who he used to be before he became a weapon.”

The film features tightly choreographed action scenes, shot mostly with practical effects. From close-quarters fights in train compartments to rooftop chases in Budapest, director Pierre Morel delivers the brutal elegance fans expect — but with greater emotional stakes.

Rising star Milly Alcock plays Liana with fierce vulnerability, and Jean Reno returns in a surprise cameo that fans of the original film will not want to miss. Vincent Cassel also appears as a high-ranking European intelligence official with ties to Ethan’s past.

While packed with suspense and action, The Professional 2 delves into themes of trauma, redemption, and the moral gray zones of justice. With a more mature tone and subtle nods to the 1994 classic, the film manages to stand on its own while honoring its cinematic heritage.

Set for a global theatrical release on October 4, 2025, The Professional 2 is already generating early awards buzz for its screenplay and Statham’s transformative performance. For longtime fans and new viewers alike, the film promises an intense, emotional ride — and possibly the beginning of a new franchise.