How good are repeated day movies?
From the classic Groundhog Day to more modern fare like Edge of Tomorrow, Happy Death Day and even the Netflix series Russian Doll.
It a simple formula - the protagonist repeats the same day, over and over, until something is set right and the whole thing ends.
But in that simplicity lies so much room to play - and play is exactly what Joe Carnahan has done in his latest film Boss Level.
The movie, like its name suggests, owes a lot to classic arcade and video games, where the protagonist must overcome a series of villains to reach the end, picking up tips and tricks with each repetition.
Frank Grillo plays our hero in Boss Level, former special forces operative Roy.
Roy wakes up one day to find that a whole legion of quirky, highly-skilled assassins have been sent after him.
We start his story almost 150 days into his never-ending cycle. Roy knows just how to avoid his onslaught of killers - at least until just after lunchtime.
He learns that his ex Jemma, played by Aussie Naomi Watts (who seems to maybe be using her own Australian/British accent), has been killed, so he knows that his own assassinations attempts have something to do with her work for her megalomaniacal boss Ventor (Mel Gibson, in full monologue mode).
With a goal in mind, Roy sets about trying to make it onto their top-secret base.
To say this film is amusing is an understatement - it's just radiating knowing fun and enthusiasm.
Grillo is fantastic in the lead, and it's wonderful to watch him acting opposite his own son Rio Grillo.
The collection of assassins - who variously favour machetes, swords, machine guns, crossbows, knives and more - are hilarious and perfectly cast.
And the supporting actors are plentiful: in addition to Watts and Gibson, we see This Is Us' Will Sasso, Tag's Annabel Wallis, Community's Ken Jeong and Crazy Rich Asians' Michelle Yeoh.
While some scenes may be just a little too repetitive, overall Boss Level works well and balances the important consistent elements with fresh takes.
A great, brain-free way to spend a couple of hours.