Headhunters is a thrilling amalgamation of the heist thriller and chase movie, giving Hollywood a run for its money on how to do genre without sacrificing character.

Recent years have seen filmmakers of heist thrillers and chase movies tapping the well dry. Inception and No Country for Old Men reached the pinnacle of their respective genres, leaving a trail of copycats in their wake.

So why not combine the two to make for a fearsome one? That’s exactly what the Norwegian thriller Headhunters achieves. Based on the novel by Jo Nesbo, the film focuses on Roger (Aksel Hennie) the leading job recruiter of a prestigious employment firm. He is also an art thief.

When his high spending ways and plucky hot wife (Syonne Macody Lund) force Roger to take on “one lost job”, he gets more than he bargains for when his target (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) turns out to be a former mercenary with an axe to grind. Cue Roger running for his life across Norway.

For all intents Roger is not a very likeable guy. Cocky, arrogant and insensitive, the role is filled by the unusual casting of Aksel Hennie, who with his Peter Lorre-esque looks and short stature screams more “character actor” than “leading man.”

But such is the beauty of this character. When he’s stripped away of his material possessions and pretences, only then does the receive our sympathy and boy does he become a glutton for punishment: shot, stabbed, mauled by a dog, and in an ingenious sequence toppled over a cliff by a Mac Truck while sitting in the back of a cop car between two heavy set police men.

Headhunters is a very violent movie. But it’s also quite the thrilling movie, with the kind of tension which will have viewers watching scenes behind clasped hands.

The only gripe with Headhunters is that it can be confusing plot wise, with certain details not presented in a clear enough context. Yet regardless of the fuzzy reasons why this man is running for his life, the how is top notch entertainment.

Director Marten Tyldum has done a terrific job blending two genres, highlighting character, and keeping the pace at a steady register. An American remake set to star Mark Wahlberg is supposedly in the works. Be sure to watch this Norwegian original first.