Downward Angel

John Hunter (Matt Schulze) is a reluctant assassin tortured by self-doubt, self-hate, and guilt, and driven by an obsessive need to avenge his parents' deaths. He infiltrates the Guild, a society of assassins led by Herod (Jonathan Banks). John executes his first few assignments without any trouble other than endangering his own sanity. But then he meets Gillian (Gabrielle Fitzpatrick), Herod's `sister.' Each of the three main characters has a secret, which are revealed in the last act.

This film has potential, but it barely misses being a good movie. The story is told elliptically and therefore is hard to follow on the first viewing. The director tries so hard to keep John's secret a surprise that it's not well set-up and doesn't follow logically. Matt is the most convincing actor in the cast; a particularly wrenching scene is one in which John tries to pull the trigger on himself. The movie has deeply Catholic undertones and a couple of plot holes big enough to trip up even the most undemanding viewer. Even so, it is worth watching more than once.