Housefull 5 Movie Review 2025: Akshay Kumar’s Comedy Sinks or Swims?
June 05, 2025
Background Context: The Housefull Franchise Returns with a Twist
The Housefull franchise, known for its over-the-top slapstick humor and massive ensemble casts, sailed into theaters with its fifth installment, Housefull 5, on June 6, 2025. Directed by Tarun Mansukhani and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala under Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, this comedy-thriller introduces a novel concept: two versions—Housefull 5A and Housefull 5B—each with a different climax and killer reveal. Set on a lavish cruise ship, the film blends a murder mystery with the franchise’s signature chaos, boasting a star-studded lineup including Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan, and more. But does this ambitious experiment deliver laughs or sink under its own weight? Let’s break down the Housefull 5 movie review with insights from early screenings, audience reactions on X, and box office updates.
Plot: A Cruise Ship Comedy with a Murder Mystery Twist
Housefull 5 unfolds on a luxury cruise ship where a billionaire’s mysterious death sparks a comedic whodunit. Akshay Kumar leads as a quirky impostor claiming an inheritance, joined by Riteish Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan, and a sprawling cast of characters played by Sanjay Dutt, Jackie Shroff, Nana Patekar, Fardeen Khan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Nargis Fakhri, Sonam Bajwa, and others. The dual-ending strategy—different killers revealed in 5A and 5B—aims to keep audiences guessing. However, the plot’s reliance on double-meaning jokes, convoluted twists, and recycled gags has drawn mixed reactions, with some calling it a “ghatiya” (cringe-worthy) mess on X.
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Performances: Star Power Drowned by Weak Writing
The ensemble cast is a highlight, but even star power struggles against a shaky script. Akshay Kumar, a Housefull veteran, brings his signature slapstick energy, with fans praising his “hilarious” entry. However, social media reactions suggest he’s “overacting” and has “lost his comic touch” compared to classics like Hera Pheri. Riteish Deshmukh shines with his comedic timing, especially alongside Chunky Pandey’s Aakhri Pasta, a fan-favorite. Abhishek Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, and Nana Patekar show flashes of brilliance but are underutilized, while female leads like Jacqueline Fernandez and Sonam Bajwa are reduced to glamorous cameos. Johnny Lever and Shreyas Talpade deliver chuckles, but X users lament “cringe performances” across the board.
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Technical Aspects: Grand Visuals, Flat Execution
Shot on a real cruise ship for 90 days and backed by a ₹225 crore budget—making it India’s most expensive comedy—Housefull 5 is a visual spectacle. V. Manikandan’s cinematography captures the ship’s opulence, and the action sequences add flair. However, the comedy-thriller blend feels forced, with the murder mystery overshadowed by low-brow humor and “double-meaning” gags that have sparked backlash online. The soundtrack, lacking A.R. Rahman’s touch, fails to match past franchise hits, though a party track is gaining traction. The dual-ending gimmick, while innovative, has confused audiences, with some theaters unclear about which version they’re screening.
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Audience and Critic Reactions: A Love-Hate Affair
The Housefull 5 movie review landscape is polarized. Fans on X call it a “blockbuster” for its star-studded chaos and “paisa vasool” entertainment, with exhibitors bullish on its festive release timing. Advance bookings are strong, with ₹3.63 crore in ticket sales and ₹8.47 crore including block seats, per Sacnilk. However, early reviews are brutal, with critic Umair Sandhu slamming it as “one of the worst comedies ever made in India” and rating it 1/5 for “boring” humor and “cringe” acting. Others praise its “impressive twists” and Akshay’s energy, but the 2-hour-43-minute runtime and reliance on memes have drawn flak. The film faces a box office clash with Kamal Haasan’s Thug Life, which may dent its Hindi belt earnings.
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Box Office and Controversies
Despite mixed buzz, Housefull 5 is poised for a solid opening, with projections of ₹30 crore on day one, driven by the franchise’s loyal fanbase and holiday timing. The dual-ending strategy, a first in Indian cinema, has sparked curiosity but also confusion, with exhibitors like Gaiety-Galaxy splitting shows between 5A and 5B. A promotional event in Pune turned chaotic, nearly causing a stampede, though Akshay Kumar calmed the crowd. Unlike Thug Life’s Karnataka ban, Housefull 5 faces no major controversies, but negative word-of-mouth could hurt its long-term run.
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