Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- theatrical
- suspenseful
- kinetic
- martial arts movie night
- cult cinema marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praise the film's intricate mystery, distinctive animal-style combat, and inventive ensemble performances as unusually memorable kung fu cinema.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The Centipede, Snake, Scorpion, Lizard, and Toad fighters each demonstrate a unique animal-based kung-fu style.
Yang De investigates the teacher's former pupils while trying to determine which students are evil and whom he can trust.
The Venoms' unusual fighting personas and highly stylized physical performances drive the film's cult appeal.
The final student must form a partnership amid greed, suspicion, and the possibility that any pupil may be evil.
Films like The Five Venoms, and why
Crippled Avengers
stylized hong kong martial arts action, elaborate combat choreography, and charismatic ensemble villains
The Kid with the Golden Arm
classic shaw brothers kung fu spectacle with theatrical fighting styles and revenge-driven intrigue
8 Diagram Pole Fighter
cult martial arts adventure built around distinctive fighters, shifting loyalties, and flamboyant action
Duel to the Death
mystery-inflected kung fu action with deception, rival combatants, and heightened physical performance
Movie Details
- Director
- Chang Cheh
- Release Date
- 1978-08-12
- Runtime
- 101 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (172)
Cast
- Chiang Sheng
- Phillip Kwok Chui
- Sun Chien
- Lu Feng
- Lo Meng
- Wai Pak
- Johnny Wang Lung-Wei
- Dick Wei
- Ku Feng
- Lau Fong-Sai
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, Fandor, Fandor Amazon Channel, Hi-YAH, Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel, ARROW
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Five Venoms about?
- A dying master's last disciple enters a lethal kung-fu mystery where animal-inspired fighters hide greed, betrayal, and deadly loyalties.
- What is The Five Venoms like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Five Venoms as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Five Venoms violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in The Five Venoms as graphic.
- What did critics think of The Five Venoms?
- Critics broadly praise the film's intricate mystery, distinctive animal-style combat, and inventive ensemble performances as unusually memorable kung fu cinema.
- Which films are like The Five Venoms?
- Films with a similar feel include Crippled Avengers, The Kid with the Golden Arm, 8 Diagram Pole Fighter, and Duel to the Death.
- How long is The Five Venoms?
- The Five Venoms runs 101 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Five Venoms?
- In United States, The Five Venoms streams on Philo, Fandor, Fandor Amazon Channel, Hi-YAH, Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel, ARROW.
