La Femme Nikita (1990)

Last updated:
September 23, 2024

Detailed Summary

The Opening: Nikita’s Arrest

The film begins with Nikita (Anne Parillaud), a drug-addicted, violent young woman, and her gang robbing a pharmacy. The robbery quickly escalates into a bloody shootout with the police, resulting in the deaths of her accomplices. Nikita kills a cop before being captured, and she’s sentenced to life in prison.

The Government’s Secret Offer

Instead of prison, Nikita is recruited by a secret government organization, led by the mysterious Bob (Tchéky Karyo), who offers her a choice: be executed or become an assassin for the government. Faced with no other option, she chooses to live and begins her transformation into a skilled killer under the organization’s strict, dehumanizing training regime.

Nikita’s Transformation

Nikita undergoes grueling physical and mental training. Initially rebellious, she eventually becomes more composed and competent under Bob’s mentorship, even developing a kind of father-daughter relationship with him. As she completes her training, she’s sent on her first mission to assassinate a target in a restaurant—a sequence that’s both tense and brutally violent, marking her true initiation into her new life.

A New Life and Love

Nikita is given a new identity, Marie, and is released into society, living under the pretense of normality. She begins a romantic relationship with Marco (Jean-Hugues Anglade), a grocery store worker, who knows nothing of her past or her current occupation. Nikita’s struggles with maintaining her new double life create an internal conflict—between her desire for normalcy and her duties as an assassin.

The Impossible Mission: Victor the Cleaner

Nikita’s final mission becomes increasingly complicated when things go wrong, forcing the intervention of the cold-blooded Victor the Cleaner (Jean Reno). In a thrilling sequence, the mission spirals out of control, leading Nikita to question everything, including her loyalty to the government agency and her ability to continue living this life.

Movie Ending

In the end, Nikita disappears, leaving her life with Marco and the agency behind. Marco confronts Bob, telling him that Nikita is gone and will not return. The movie ends ambiguously, with the viewer left to wonder whether Nikita has truly found freedom or if she will always be hunted by her past.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, there are no post-credits scenes in La Femme Nikita (1990). The film concludes on a somber, open-ended note, typical of Luc Besson’s stylistic choices in his early works.

Type of Movie

La Femme Nikita is a neo-noir action-thriller, blending action, suspense, and elements of psychological drama. It is a stylish, gritty film that focuses on themes of identity, redemption, and control.

Cast

Anne Parillaud as Nikita
Tchéky Karyo as Bob
Jean-Hugues Anglade as Marco
Jean Reno as Victor the Cleaner
Jeanne Moreau as Amande (Nikita’s etiquette teacher)

Film Music and Composer

Éric Serra composed the score for the film, bringing his signature style from previous collaborations with Luc Besson, such as The Fifth Element and Leon: The Professional. His music intensifies the atmosphere, combining electronic tones with orchestral layers to amplify both tension and emotion throughout the movie.

Filming Locations

The film was shot primarily in Paris, France, which plays a significant role in the film’s aesthetic. The dark, rainy streets of Paris and its architecture give the movie a moody, claustrophobic atmosphere, enhancing the neo-noir vibe.

Awards and Nominations

La Femme Nikita received both critical acclaim and several awards:

César Award for Best Actress – Anne Parillaud won this prestigious French award for her role as Nikita.
Nominated for Best Director at the César Awards (Luc Besson).
Nominated for Best Film at the César Awards.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Anne Parillaud spent months training in martial arts and gun handling to convincingly portray Nikita’s transformation from a delinquent to a deadly assassin.
The character of Victor the Cleaner, played by Jean Reno, was so memorable that it became the inspiration for Reno’s character in Luc Besson’s later film, Leon: The Professional.
Parillaud became so deeply absorbed in the role that it impacted her personal life, as she admitted to having difficulty shedding Nikita’s persona once filming concluded.

Inspirations and References

The movie draws inspiration from noir cinema and the assassin genre, taking cues from Jean-Pierre Melville’s crime films such as Le Samouraï.
The film also served as a precursor to the many female-led action films and TV shows that would follow, such as Alias and Kill Bill.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

Some deleted scenes that focused on Nikita’s training and her bond with Bob were cut to enhance the film’s pacing. However, no significant alternate endings exist for La Femme Nikita.

Book Adaptations and Differences

La Femme Nikita is not based on a book, but its success led to various adaptations, including a TV series and a Hollywood remake (Point of No Return starring Bridget Fonda). The original film remains the grittiest and most character-focused version.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

The Restaurant Assassination: Nikita’s first mission is tense and violent, showcasing her struggle with her new life.
Victor the Cleaner’s Arrival: Jean Reno’s brief but impactful role as the ruthless cleaner is a fan favorite.
The Final Disappearance: Nikita leaving everything behind, including her love with Marco, is emotionally poignant and haunting.

Iconic Quotes

Bob: “You died the moment you killed that cop. Now you belong to us.”
Nikita: “I never did mind about the little things.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

Bob’s paternalism: The relationship between Bob and Nikita carries complex father-daughter undertones, adding emotional depth to their interactions.
Victor’s name: Victor the Cleaner (Jean Reno) would later inspire the character Leon in Leon: The Professional, both playing similar roles in Besson’s world of assassins.

Trivia

Luc Besson originally wanted an actress who looked tougher for the role of Nikita, but Anne Parillaud’s combination of fragility and strength won him over.
Jean Reno’s character Victor became so iconic that Besson created Leon: The Professional as a spiritual successor.
The film’s title was changed to simply Nikita in many international markets.

Why Watch?

La Femme Nikita is a groundbreaking film in the action-thriller genre, featuring a strong female lead, stylish direction, and a captivating story. It is essential viewing for fans of assassin films, neo-noir, and French cinema.