HI-FIVE Kicks Superhero Fatigue to the Curb [Fantasia 2025 Review]

It’s easy to forget that underneath the bloated budgets, chiseled physiques, and glossy CGI of most modern superhero movies, many of the most beloved and enduring superheroes started as relatively normal people. Peter Parker, Bruce Wayne, Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, and all the Supes from THE BOYS began their arcs as regular human beings. Often overlooked, this detail provides more than just an interesting character backstory; it introduces the element of earnest humanity, for better or for worse. This is the sandbox in which HI-FIVE from South Korea plays. Having recently made its Quebec Premiere at the Fantasia Film Festival, HI-FIVE is a humorous and heartwarming, action-packed delight that kicks superhero fatigue to the curb. 

Written and directed by Kang Hyung-chul, HI-FIVE wastes no time getting right into the action. Following some sort of terrible event, an unidentified, beyond-repair body is being operated on to salvage what organs can be used for organ transplants. After the procedures, the body vaporizes and disappears without explanation. Before long, these organs begin surfacing in five unrelated transplant recipients. Each transplant brings more than a second chance at life for the lucky recipient. It also transfers superhuman abilities and the mark of a mysterious tattoo. 

Wan-seo (Lee Jae-in) awakens after a heart transplant with blinding speed and devastating kicks; Ji-sung (Ahn Jae-hong) finds he can summon gale-force winds from his new lungs; Ki-dong (Yoo Ah-in), gifted a cornea, manipulates electromagnetic currents; Yak-seon (Kim Hee-won) heals with a touch after a liver transplant; and Seon-nyeo (Ra Mi-ran), carrying a transplanted kidney, has a power no one, not even her, understands yet.

However, the miracle has a dark side as well. Young-chun (played by Park Jin-young and Shin Goo), a self-proclaimed God and cult leader who regained life through a pancreas transplant, siphons youth and vitality from others. Once learning that there are more out there like him with different powers, Young-chun now covets the additional organs and powers to become an immortal superbeing. As he grows ever younger and more dangerous, the newly assembled superhero squad must act as a team, learn to trust one another’s strengths, and stop Young-chun’s plan to steal their powers for himself.

Everyone loves an underdog, and the first punch that lands with HI-FIVE is the immediate commitment to its characters. Each member of the transplant squad is given dedicated time to properly explore their life before superpowers and how that impacts their new existence. As young Wan-seo, Lee Jae-in shines, expertly navigating the physical and emotional complexities of being a kid and having serious health issues. It's tough for Wan-seo’s ex-Taekwando champion father as well; there’s a charming sensitivity and tenderness to their relationship, and how Wan-seo’s health struggles have impacted it. Lee Jae-in also imparts a youthful energy, recklessness, and humor to Wan-seo, which beautifully balances the weight of her story.  

While Wan-seo and her story are largely at the center of the narrative, each member carries valuable weight. As their individual stories, personalities, fears, and strengths are revealed, their newly found family grows on us as the audience, as well as a force to be reckoned with within the narrative of the story. And that’s a good thing, as both Park Jin-young and Shin Goo deliver a devilishly good villain in the form of the power-hungry (literally and metaphorically) Young-Chun. 

Like many superhero outings, there’s a lot that can be read into the good versus evil of it all. It’s likely not by accident that the “big bad” of the film is a narcissistic cult leader who intentionally weaponizes religion. Neither is it likely an accident that those who defeat him are relatively normal people who have all had something difficult to overcome in their personal lives. There are also elements of found family, forgiveness, responsibility, and redemption that run through the heart of the film, making no excuses or attempts at disguising themselves. So while the commentary is most definitely there, HI-FIVE never forgets that it is ultimately a superhero movie and acts accordingly.

Though heavy on the use of CGI to bring our superheroes' powers to life, there’s a self-awareness and light-hearted approach to the integration of the technology. Rather than trying to pass off the effects as entirely realistic, they are stylized and implemented with a playfulness that allows any cheesiness or unconvincing aspects to be easily forgiven. This also contributes to and supports the wonderful humor present throughout the film for a tone that balances action, humor, and heart with ease. 

Perhaps one of the most surprising (but welcome) aspects of the film is its remarkably fun soundtrack. Featuring a mix of absolute bangers, such as Corey Hart’s “Sunglasses at Night” and a well-used Rick Astley “Rick Roll,” the needle drops embrace the film’s, at times, lighthearted silliness, while still serving a narrative, world-building function. 

Ultimately, HI-FIVE is a fun, supercharged deviation from the Hollywood superhero norm, and a prime example of why Fantasia curates one of the best genre festivals out there. Featuring feasible high stakes, likable characters, and humble hero origins, it’s not a hard film to like. In fact, HI-FIVE’s kinetic energy, martial arts madness, and found family dynamic just might renew one’s faith in the superhero genre.

The 2025 Fantasia International Film Festival runs from July 16 to August 3 in Montreal, Quebec, primarily at the Concordia Hall and J.A. de Sève cinemas, with additional screenings and events at Montreal’s Cinéma du Musée. For more information, please visit the Fantasia website here.