You might think being the writer, director, and star of American Badger is a little of wish fulfilment for Kirk Caouette, but we’re pleased to reveal that not only does he have the chops behind the camera, he kicks ass in front of it too.

Caouette is Dean, a hitman living on his own and happy with it. Taking his assignments, and keeping himself to himself. That is until he’s tasked with getting to know and gaining the trust of an online call girl, Marcella (Andrea Stefancikova), to get information from her. It’s one of the hardest jobs he’s been given. The pair get on well, and he even lets her in on his trade. Unfortunately, the call comes for him to put her on the top of his ‘to do’ list.

There are plenty of hitmen movies out there, and it’s can be difficult to find a new angle. American Badger manages to do that by making the contract killer into a human being rather than an emotionless monster. Despite his skills, Dean is a softly-spoken and of slight build, and tells us via voiceover that his superpower is letting people make his decisions. He’s also rather adept in combat skills and can polish off a whole army of thugs with ease.

Caouette shoots a lot of the film in vivid colours and the voiceover adds further neo-noir quality to the proceedings, but the scenes that involve intimacy – whether that’s Dean alone with his thoughts or when he’s talking to Marcella – are almost vérité in style. It’s a contrast that brings us closer to the pair and disassociate us from the outbursts of violence.

American Badger packs a punch with the immaculately choreographed, violent set pieces, but there’s also a heart to the main characters, which raises it above the standard fare.