When you think of ‘90s sci-fi done right — bold, outrageous, and wildly imaginative — it’s impossible not to picture Luc Besson’s The Fifth Element. This 1997 cult classic gave us one of the most memorable pairings in sci-fi cinema: Milla Jovovich and Bruce Willis, delivering performances that are still as electric and entertaining today as they were nearly three decades ago.
Bruce Willis stars as Korben Dallas, a grizzled, wisecracking cab driver (and ex-special forces) who becomes humanity’s last hope when he crosses paths — quite literally — with Leeloo, a mysterious, otherworldly being played by Milla Jovovich in her breakout role.
As Leeloo, Jovovich is pure cinematic magic: ethereal yet fierce, childlike yet unstoppable, with her unforgettable orange hair, ancient language, and wide-eyed wonder at the world she’s been sent to save. Her performance balances physicality, innocence, and alien strength in a way few actors could pull off — she is the film’s beating heart and unearthly soul.
Willis, meanwhile, brings his trademark action-hero charm and sardonic humor to Korben, grounding the film’s wild visuals and larger-than-life world with his everyman appeal. Together, they create an unlikely duo — a cynical cabbie and a perfect being — that makes The Fifth Element so much more than just a sci-fi spectacle. Their chemistry is playful, touching, and often hilarious, perfectly matching Besson’s neon-drenched, hyper-stylized universe.
From flying car chases through a futuristic New York to operatic space battles and unforgettable villains (hello, Gary Oldman’s Zorg!), The Fifth Element remains a vibrant, endlessly rewatchable classic — thanks in no small part to Jovovich and Willis giving it their all.
Their performances are proof that even in a galaxy of crazy costumes, wild special effects, and campy villains, what makes sci-fi timeless is always the human (and almost-human) spark at its core.
WATCH FULL MOVIE: If you haven’t revisited The Fifth Element lately, buckle up — it’s still one of the most stylish, fun, and uniquely unforgettable sci-fi rides ever made.
