Five

Melody Palmer (Teagan Vincze) is suffering the fate of many a star in that it begins to wane. Her days as Princess Sparkle no longer do, nor do her box office takings. She is mentally and physically exhausted, with a suspicion of booze and drugs at the core.

Taking time out for rehab Melody returns to acting via a low budget rom-com ‘Renovated Romance’. She's being kept under strict supervision by the director Devvyn (Lauren McGibbon) and her sober coach Lala (Donna Benedicto). Melody is under no illusion; she and her caeer are on trial.

However her odd behaviour has Devvyn and Lala worried that she’s going off the tracks. Part of the reason is that Melody believes she is possessed by a demon, after entering a creepy cabin in the woods.

Naturally with her track record she’s having trouble convincing people that she’s possessed. Apart from videographer Regina (Georgia Bradner) who has her doubts and enlists the help of Dr Tabitha Crown (Karen Holness), a psychiatrist and a demonologist.

Credited with co-writing with Erin Boyes and Mike Hassan, producing and directing (plus a cameo) Dani Barker won't be accused of shirking responsibility. And by and large Five works very well as a satire on certain parts of the industry. Barker offers a great deal of insight regarding this particular area of filmmaking and is where she appears most comfortable.

The horror and comedy are maybe not quite as strong. The introduction of the cabin in the woods, New Testament demons with an exorcism tend to bog the film down a bit.

That’s not to say that it isn’t funny, it is, especially when the camera and writing are turned towards the put upon film crew contending with the complications of a low budget and a twelve-day shooting schedule.

Five had its world premiere at London FrightFest in August 2025.