Ridiculous in concept yet brilliant in execution, Fatman is sure to deliver good tidings for those looking for grit and gunfire in their Christmas viewing, with Mel Gibson and Walter Goggins especially good as Santa, and Santa hunter, respectfully.

The debate every Christmas is whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie. A pet theory of mine is that a lot of people say “yes” because they want an action movie alternative to the usual choices on offer. Now in Fatman comes a true alternative, a Christmas action movie starring a bonafide action star as Santa, in a film that takes its premise seriously, yet has much fun while doing so. Fatman has arrived, and it’s a Christmas gift that keeps on giving.

The story of Fatman begins with 12-year-old Billy (Chance Hurstfield), a suit wearing rich kid rotten to the core. On his speed dial is Skinny Man, a turtleneck wearing hit man who leaves a trail of bodies in his wake wherever he goes. When young Billy is deservedly given a lump of coal for Christmas, the young psychopath hires Skinny Guy to, well, kill Santa.

Playing the role of Santa, or in this case “Chris”, is none other than Mel Gibson. It is inspired casting. With gloriously bushy beard and dog-tired demeanour, Gibson plays a bitter and angry Santa, mourning the gradual loss of innocence and Christmas cheer with grit, heart, and a surprising well of emotion.

Great too is Walter Goggins who steals the show as a twisted reiteration of the Grinch, whose meticulous approach to all things (especially murder) is matched only by his obsession with killing ol’ Saint Nick. Young Chance Hurstfield is suitably detestable in his portrayal of Scrooge meets Patrick Bateman, and Marianne Jean-Baptist provides warmth as Mrs Clause, Ruth.

What makes Fatman work so well is the direction and screenplay by the Nelms Brothers, Esham and Ian. Taking iconic Christmas tropes and grounding the fantastical elements of the season into a world of palpable stakes, Fatman is as silly as it is serious, and much like Christmas itself, it works best when you get into the spirit of it.

The Nelms Brothers, along with Gibson and Goggins, makes this an easy thing to do, creating a sure to be Christmas cult classic worth watching with a glass of eggnog and a grin from ear to ear. Merry Christmas, indeed!