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Nikita

  • 19901990
  • RR
  • 1h 57m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
72K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,605
104
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Anne Parillaud in Nikita (1990)
Watch {VideoTitle}
Play trailer2:30
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Action
  • Thriller

Convicted felon, Nikita, isn't going to jail; she's given a new identity and trained, stylishly, as a top secret spy/assassin.Convicted felon, Nikita, isn't going to jail; she's given a new identity and trained, stylishly, as a top secret spy/assassin.Convicted felon, Nikita, isn't going to jail; she's given a new identity and trained, stylishly, as a top secret spy/assassin.

IMDb RATING
7.3/10
72K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,605
104
  • Director
    • Luc Besson
  • Writer
    • Luc Besson
  • Stars
    • Anne Parillaud
    • Marc Duret
    • Patrick Fontana
Top credits
  • Director
    • Luc Besson
  • Writer
    • Luc Besson
  • Stars
    • Anne Parillaud
    • Marc Duret
    • Patrick Fontana
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 182User reviews
    • 82Critic reviews
    • 56Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 6 wins & 17 nominations

    Videos1

    Bande-annonce [OV]
    Trailer 2:30
    Bande-annonce [OV]

    Photos181

    Anne Parillaud in Nikita (1990)
    Jean Reno in Nikita (1990)
    Anne Parillaud in Nikita (1990)
    Anne Parillaud in Nikita (1990)
    Jean-Hugues Anglade and Anne Parillaud in Nikita (1990)
    Luc Besson and Anne Parillaud in Nikita (1990)
    Anne Parillaud in Nikita (1990)
    Anne Parillaud in Nikita (1990)
    Tchéky Karyo and Anne Parillaud in Nikita (1990)
    Anne Parillaud in Nikita (1990)
    Jean-Hugues Anglade and Anne Parillaud in Nikita (1990)
    Anne Parillaud in Nikita (1990)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Anne Parillaud
    Anne Parillaud
    • Nikitaas Nikita…
    Marc Duret
    Marc Duret
    • Ricoas Rico
    Patrick Fontana
    • Coyotteas Coyotte
    Alain Lathière
    • Zapas Zap
    Laura Chéron
    • La punkas La punk
    Jacques Boudet
    Jacques Boudet
    • Le pharmacienas Le pharmacien
    Helene Aligier
    • La pharmacienneas La pharmacienne
    Pierre-Alain de Garrigues
    • Flic pharmacieas Flic pharmacie
    Patrick Pérez
    • Flic pharmacieas Flic pharmacie
    • (as Patrick Perez)
    Bruno Randon
    • Flic pharmacieas Flic pharmacie
    Vincent Skimenti
    • Flic pharmacieas Flic pharmacie
    Roland Blanche
    • Flic interrogatoireas Flic interrogatoire
    Joseph Teruel
    • Stagiaire flicas Stagiaire flic
    Jacques Disses
    • Avocatas Avocat
    Stéphane Fey
    • Président tribunalas Président tribunal
    • (as Stephane Fey)
    Philippe Dehesdin
    • 1er magistratas 1er magistrat
    Michel Brunot
    • 2ème magistratas 2ème magistrat
    Rodolph Freytt
    • 1er infirmieras 1er infirmier
    • Director
      • Luc Besson
    • Writer
      • Luc Besson
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    An urgent life-or-death dilemma befalls Nikita--the feral street girl and violent drug addict--after killing a police officer at point blank. Hopeless, Nikita is given a new lease of life, when she reluctantly exchanges her doomed fate for a secret government program that promises to mould her into a cold-blooded assassin under the wing of her sadistic mentor, Bob. Now--with a new set of skills, a new identity, and lethally sophisticated looks--Nikita is the ultimate weapon and the perfect puppet for doing the government's dirty work; however, what happens if this trained killer chooses love over death? —Nick Riganas
    • female assassin
    • shotgun
    • girls with guns
    • hidden door
    • undercover agent
    • 95 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • She murders, so she can live.
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Thriller
    • Certificate
      • R
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The first scene Nikita appears in was the first scene Anne Parillaud shot. Despite having only one line Luc Besson had Parillaud deliver nearly a hundred takes. Parillaud later found out that he used the second take in the movie.
    • Goofs
      The cameraman is reflected in the bathtub when Marie takes a bath after returning from the embassy.
    • Quotes

      Amande: There are two things that are infinite: femininity and means to take advantage of it.

    • Alternate versions
      The English dubbed version featured John Tremaine as the voice of Tchéky Karyo's character Bob.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze/The Comfort of Strangers/Defending Your Life/Mister Johnson/La Femme Nikita (1991)
    • Soundtracks
      LA PETITE MUSIQUE DE NUIT
      Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (as MOZART)

      Performed by Scottish Chamber Orchestra

      Conducted by Raymond Leppard

      Courtesy of Erato

    User reviews182

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Exciting, romantic, and stylish!
    I fell in love with this film from the moment I first saw a brief clip of it on an entertainment program. At first I was drawn to the action elements (being young and somewhat immature in my dramatic tastes), but I was blown away by the romance and character interplay. I loved the composition of the scenes, the noirish lighting, and the quirky humor. This movie, along with Pedro Almodovar's films, really opened my eyes to European films, particularly those with a signature style.

    The performances are great across the board. Anne Parillaud plays all facets of Nikita well, from her rebellious, drug-hazed beginning, to her growing confidence, and her near breakdown as her mission falls apart. Tcheky Karyo made a huge impression, mostly through his body language and his eyes. He says more with an expression than most actors do with dialogue. Jeanne Moraeu is a treasure, a truly beautiful woman in appearance and spirit. Jean-Hughues Anglade has the harder part, the "normal" guy who Nikita falls for. He is adept at comedy, but is tender in the love scenes. He carries himself well in his face-off with Bob. Finally, the actor who really stands out in memory, Jean Reno. Reno oozes charisma and talent, even in bad films. He steals the film the moment he enters.

    Luc Besson is a tremendous stylist. His films are beautiful, even when the story is a bit obtuse. He is adept at using light to portray and enhance emotion and his compositions are stunning. His main fault is that he lets style overtake story, but he gets away with it because the style is always interesting. He is a fine writer, although more care seems to go into the scripts he directs than those he has written for others.

    Finally, one can't discuss the films of Besson without discussing the music of Eric Serra. Serra creates an atmosphere that is much a part of the setting as the lighting or set decoration. His compositions convey mood and emotion, adding another layer to the story. His signature bass and percussion gets your heart pumping during action sequences, while the melodies bring a softness to intimate moments. He demonstrates the proper way to use synthesizers, to transform the music, rather than make up for lack of an orchestra (or talent). Serra's soundtracks were the first that I bought for instrumental music, rather than for pop songs used in the film.

    This is a film that appeals to many audiences. There is plenty of action and intrigue for thrillseekers, unique character studies, quirky humor, and above all, romance. It has spawned many imitations (Point of No Return, Black Cat, Nikita TV series) but has never been equaled. If you are a fan of film noir, action/espionage, character drama, or romance, you should see this film; then you should own this film. You'll want to watch it again and again.
    helpful•60
    6
    • grendelkhan
    • Sep 27, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 1991 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • France
      • Italy
    • Languages
      • French
      • Italian
      • English
    • Also known as
      • La Femme Nikita
    • Filming locations
      • Restaurant Le Train Bleu, Gare de Lyon, Paris 12, Paris, France
    • Production companies
      • Gaumont
      • Les Films du Loup
      • Cecchi Gori Group Tiger Cinematografica
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • FRF 50,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $5,017,971
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $44,047
      • Mar 10, 1991
    • Gross worldwide
      • $5,017,971
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 57 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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