Natalie Portman plays a young orphan taken in by hit man Léon in The Professional (1994). She becomes an apprentice assassin.
Kills: 26 (assists)
In Let the Right One In (2008), Eli (Lina Leandersson) is a vampire who must kill to survive–or for fun, if schoolyard friends are in need.
Kills: 7
As wannabe superhero Hit-Girl in Kick-Ass (2010), Chloë Grace Moretz won’t act her age, dropping foul language as well as bodies.
Kills: 41
An ex–CIA operative trains his daughter (Saoirse Ronan) to hunt the most dangerous game. Hanna (2011) maims more than murders, but still …
Kills: 8
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Write to Eliana Dockterman at eliana.dockterman@time.com