Five – FrightFest 2025 Movie Review
First Reaction – Five embraces the horror comedy in movie making concept.
Director: Dani Barker
Writer: Dani Barker, Erin Boyes, Mike Hassan (Screenplay)
Cast
- Teagan Vincze (A Cowboy Christmas)
- Giles Panton (The Man in the High Castle)
- Donna Benedicto
- Sean Depner
- Karen Holness (Chicago)
Plot: FIVE revolves around fallen movie legend Melody Palmer, who, after a spectacular run of box-office flops and a period in rehab, is hoping her star will rise again with the rom-com ‘Renovated Romance’. But while on location shooting her hopeful comeback, she finds a cabin in the woods and becomes possessed by a demonic force, causing havoc amongst the crew.
Runtime: 1 Hour 21 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: Five starts when fallen movie icon Melody Palmer (Vincze) takes a new role in a Hallmark romantic comedy. However, her behaviour begins turning heads. Elsewhere, Regina (Bradner) starts following Melody around believe to have seen strange events.
It doesn’t take long before other members of the set begin showing strange signs on an infection and Regina leans into believing Melody has become possessed. This becomes a race against time to cure her from the demon and save the movie production.
Verdict on Five
Recap
The movie follows a movie icon taking a role in a Hallmark movie after a series of box office failures. However, the production becomes difficult when it becomes clear a demon has possessed her. She causes chaos on set and it becomes a race to figure out how to stop her.
Best Parts
The idea a romantic comedy becomes overrun by a former icon who has become possessed by a demon is an interesting spin on a possession storyline. It offers a fresh approach of a movie being made around a calmer story of rom com, turning into a nightmare. This plays into the comedy better than the horror and the performances are wonderful throughout.
Worst Parts
The horror elements of the movie struggle to come through. It doesn’t create the same terror as many other movies about possession. This is because things are leaned more into the comedy, but don’t expect lots of scares here.
Final Thoughts –Five leans heavily into the comedy adding a great spin on the possession movie.
