Kidon is Hebrew for “tip of the spear” and, as we are told in the Israeli spy comedy of the same name, it is also the name of a Mossad division reputedly authorized to assassinate terrorists. 

When Tel Aviv awakes to news that a well-known Hamas terrorist has suddenly turned up dead in a Dubai hotel, the media assume it was a Mossad assassination. It’s a reasonable assumption given that the same man had been the target of a failed Mossad mission. The problem is that it is news to Mossad, too.

“Kidon” follows the case as Mossad agents try to unravel who is posing as them to carry out an assassination and why. Video surveillance allows them to pick up some suspects, but they also bring in the now-retired Mossad agent who was involved in the previous failed assassination attempt to help unravel the mystery of why this occurred.

Inspired by the 2010 assassination of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, French-Israeli director/writer Emmanuel Naccache mixes facts with some clever fiction to build a sly plot of spoofers posing as Mossad agents. 

The premise may remind some of the con-man comedic drama “American Hustle,” but beyond the idea of mixing fact and fiction, this is a far different film, much more of a mystery and with more of a comic touch.  

Charmer Daniel (Tomer Sisley) leads the group of rogues who pull this off. The group also includes beauty Einav (Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Bar Refaeli) and a computer wiz called Facebook (Kev Adams), who pose as Mossad agents posing as someone else to pull off this job. The “why” is the puzzle that Mossad is trying to figure out, as each member of the gang recounts their version in flashbacks that might also evoke 1995’s “The Usual Suspects.” These cocky characters recount the same story at first, but as Mossad digs deeper, the layers are peeled back.

Just when we think we, or Mossad, has it figured it all out, something changes. The plot is clever, and motives are cleverly concealed, but the tone is sly and tongue-in-cheek. A voice-over by Sisley as Daniel provides a comic commentary. At times, the film sometimes borders on slapstick and even a bit of romantic comedy, as Daniel woos the French ambassador’s wife Solene (Elodie Hesme). It’s all part of the plan – or is it?

This is one twisty film. While it is certainly fun, and funny, some might find the plot twists a bit too much. However, “Kidon” is best enjoyed by just sitting back and enjoying the roller-coaster ride.

‘Kidon’

8 p.m. Wednesday, June 11

Running time: 1:37; in Hebrew and French with English subtitles