Jean-Claude Van Damme, the man known around the world as the Muscles from Brussels, has gained an international following for kicking ass without compunction. His devotees worship his brute strength and stamina; his detractors deem him a tacky, talentless hack. It turns out neither camp is right. Scoff if you must, but Mabrouk El Mechri’s comedic meta-fest goes a long way toward proving that Van Damme is more than a one-note martial arts wonder. Locked in a custody battle for his daughter—who’s embarrassed by her father and his career—and saddled with no end of financial burdens, the parody’s stressed-out star (Van Damme on Van Damme) has been reduced to toiling on foreign-made, straight-to-video fare. On a trip back to Belgium, the beleaguered celeb gets tangled up in an armed robbery and hostage-taking situation, effectively galvanizing his fan base and sending the media into a tizzy. The ensuing power struggle allows the audience—both real and imaginary—a peek at a softer, infinitely more compelling side of JCVD. Yes, really.—Stéphanie Verge