'Housefull 5' Review: A Killer Cruise Full of LOLs, Lies & Lunacy

A full-blown masala entertainer who ditches logic at the port and sails straight into the high seas of comedy, confusion, and completely over-the-top antics.

Housefull 5
Housefull 5 Review

Housefull 5

In Theatres

Rating- 3.5/ 5 stars

Cast- Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, Riteish Deshmukh, Nana Patekar, Sanjay Dutt, Jackie Shroff, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa and more.

Directed By: Tarun Mansukhani

When the words "Housefull" light up on the big screen, you already know what to expect: chaos, confusion, crass humour, and a heavy dose of slapstick. But what if the madness of the Housefull universe collided with a murder mystery on a luxury cruise ship? That's exactly what Housefull 5 attempts. A full-blown masala entertainer who ditches logic at the port and sails straight into the high seas of comedy, confusion, and completely over-the-top antics.

Directed by Tarun Mansukhani and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala under the Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment banner, Housefull 5 marks the fifth instalment in the much-loved (and often criticised) franchise. This time, the filmmakers throw in a whodunit twist, multiple endings, and a massive ensemble cast to give the audience something wild, weird, and worth talking about. Whether that conversation is positive or not, however, is another story.

Plot: Triple Trouble, One Murder, and A Whole Lot of Madness

housefull 5
Source: TMDB

The film kicks off with an extravagant birthday bash aboard a luxurious cruise ship hosted by a billionaire on the occasion of his 100th birthday. But before the cake is cut, he dies under mysterious circumstances. And just before his final breath, he declares that his fortune will go to his long-lost son from his first marriage, Jolly.

Here comes the twist: not one, not two, but three men, played by Akshay Kumar (Julius "Jolly 3"), Abhishek Bachchan (Jalbhushan "Jolly 2"), and Riteish Deshmukh (Jalabuddin "Jolly 1") claim to be the rightful heir. Each of them presents a story, each funnier than the last (or so the script attempts). But before a DNA test can solve the problem, the doctor in charge of the test ends up dead.

Cue the police! Enter Sanjay Dutt as Bhiddu and Jackie Shroff as Baba (yes, kind of a name swap, but the antics- still the same), two sharp-tongued, quirky cops who now have to navigate through lies, laughs, and loud personalities to find the killer. What unfolds is a dizzying blend of comic misadventures, memory loss, hidden clues, surprise twists, and a climax that changes from screen to screen. That's right—Housefull 5 comes in two versions, 5A and 5B, each with a different killer reveal to keep the guessing game alive.

The Packaging: Gloss, Glamour & Grand Chaos

housefull 5
Source: TMDB

Visually, Housefull 5 is a feast. The cruise ship setting allows for eye-popping cinematography, over-the-top sets, designer costumes, and glossy dance sequences. Songs like Laal Pari feel integrated and purposeful, and at least on the surface, everything screams extravagance. There's no expense spared in making the film look luxurious. From ballrooms and infinity pools to glittery gowns and high-octane chase scenes across the decks, the production design is lavish.

But peel back the layers of gloss and the content underneath starts to feel eerily familiar. The film uses the same old "madcap mistaken identity formula" that has worked for earlier Housefull films. It just wraps it in newer packaging with a murder element thrown in to pretend like it's trying something fresh.

The Comedy: Hits, Misses & Double Entendres

housefull 5
Source: TMDB

The franchise has always been known for loud, unapologetic humour, and Housefull 5 sticks to its guns. The film is packed with punchlines, puns, slapstick sequences, and yes — a fair bit of adult comedy. Some of it lands well, especially moments involving Akshay Kumar's classic comic timing, but other jokes are dated or fall flat.

The writing leans heavily into innuendo and double meanings, which might draw chuckles from some but could alienate family audiences. There's a fine line between being cheeky and being crass, and Housefull 5 frequently walks that tightrope with questionable success.

Performances: Stars Galore, But Who Really Shines?

housefull 5
Source: TMDB

Let's be honest: the film rides heavily on the shoulders of its stars, and Akshay Kumar is the undeniable showman here. His timing, expressions, and presence light up the screen. Whether it's his dramatic guitar sequence, his random on-the-face comebacks to the other guys or his laugh-out-loud entry scene, he proves once again why he's the face of this franchise. Riteish Deshmukh is in solid form, delivering yet another zany performance as Jolly 1, while Abhishek Bachchan holds his own with his deadpan humour and unexpected comic bursts. Together, the trio creates genuine chemistry and carry most of the film's humour.

Fardeen Khan makes a surprise comeback and does decently well, while Shreyas Talpade and Dino Morea unfortunately get sidelined. Johnny Lever and Chunky Pandey, comedic legends in their own right, are criminally underutilized, reduced to brief appearances that hardly do justice to their potential.

Sanjay Dutt and Jackie Shroff are an absolute treat. Their banter, their quirky police personas, and their entry into the film lift the narrative at a crucial point. Nana Patekar, too, adds weight and unpredictability to the storyline, but there is nothing much to offer.

On the female front, Jacqueline Fernandez, Nargis Fakhri, Chitrangada Singh, Sonam Bajwa, and Soundarya Sharma add glamour but get very little to do beyond being eye candy. Soundarya Sharma, in particular, is objectified to the point of discomfort, becoming the subject of endless leery camera angles and lusty jokes.

Mystery Element: Clever Setup, Predictable Payoff

Housefull 5
Source: TMDB

The murder mystery is the film's unique selling point this time. And to be fair, the buildup does generate interest. Clues are sprinkled throughout, encouraging the viewer to play detective. There are a few red herrings and a solid attempt at misdirection. However, the eventual reveal doesn't really shock; it's more of a shrug than a gasp.

The idea of different endings in different versions is novel, adding an interactive element for the audience. But even that can't fully distract from the fact that the mystery's core is just too thin. It's fun, but not fulfilling.

Just when you think the ensemble is already bursting at the seams, there's a blink-and-miss surprise cameo in the final scene. It serves as a cheeky nod, a 30-second thrill, but it's bound to create some buzz.

Execution: Tarun Mansukhani's Balancing Act

asdf
Source: TMDB

Tarun Mansukhani deserves credit for juggling such a mammoth cast while managing to hold the film together with some semblance of coherence. The screenplay (by Sajid Nadiadwala himself) is designed to deliver laughs every few minutes, and for the most part, it does.

The direction falters in moments where scenes drag or jokes repeat themselves. A sequence involving clue cards during the Phugdi song stands out as especially cringe-worthy—a blatant attempt at comedy that ends up being ridiculous. That entire part feels unnecessary and derails the pacing. The 'mafia' meets 'the traitor' clue card game just pops up and leaves nothing to ponder or entertain.

Final Verdict: Should You Watch It?

housefull 5
Source: TMDB

Housefull 5 is not a movie you watch with logic. It's a full-blown brain-rot fest. But in a cinema landscape that often takes itself too seriously, maybe that's exactly the point. If you're in the mood for loud laughs, ridiculous twists, glossy visuals, and zero brain activity, then this film might just be your weekend ticket to silly fun.

Don't expect nuance or originality. Don't expect layered characters or intelligent humour. What you'll get is a mad cruise ride with too many people, too many jokes, and one murder that ties it all together in a flamboyant package. Is it groundbreaking cinema? No. Is it enjoyable popcorn entertainment? For many, yes.

Watch it if: You love ensemble comedies, are a fan of the franchise, or simply want to laugh at the madness.

Avoid it if: You're looking for logic, subtlety, or comedy that's more than just skin deep.



Are you watching the film this weekend? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Abhishek Bachchan Thumbnail

Abhishek Bachchan

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Fardeen Khan

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Chunky Panday

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Dino Morea

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Jackie Shroff

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Nana Patekar

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Akshay Kumar

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Sanjay Dutt

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Shreyas Talpade

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Riteish Deshmukh

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Jacqueline Fernandez

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Nikitin Dheer

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Nargis Fakhri

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Johnny Lever

Chitrangada Singh Thumbnail

Chitrangada Singh

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Soundarya Sharma

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Sonam Bajwa

Housefull 5 poster

Housefull 5

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