[CFF ’22] ‘The Third Saturday in October Part V’ review: Horror movie uses franchise fatigue to its benefit

The Third Saturday in October Part V made its world premiere at the Chattanooga Film Festival in an interesting way. It was screened before the first installment intentionally. The idea was to serve as a reminder to those old enough to remember the days before streaming. Before the current media landscape made it possible to watch every installment of a franchise in order (either by release date or the movie’s chronology), a person had to count on whatever video store they went to if they were going to see a series of movies in order. Inevitably, you were left watching things in random order. (I saw Phantasm II and Friday the 13th Part 3 before I saw the originals.)

The Third Saturday in October Part V jumps right in by showing kills from the “previous” movies. (In reality, there is only one other.) Writer-director Jay Burleson does a great job of handling the “fourth” sequel. Many times, a person will find themselves wondering what is a callback to earlier installments. It is a skilled touch that takes the movie beyond pure spoof.

There is also some great gore in the film. While there is a long period between the initial kills and the main action, The Third Saturday in October Part V does eventually deliver. This includes foot trauma, some gross slashes, and a death by pizza scene that is one of the funnier moments. Jack Harding is the Big Bad who will not stay down. He fits the profile of a franchise serial killer with the difference being he is a little sillier. He is not a walking quip machine like Freddy Krueger, but he had more fun than Michael Meyers. He also helps set the movie apart from the ones they are making fun of.

The Third Saturday in October Part V ably does what it sets out to. It actually feels like the fourth sequel in a long running franchise. This includes the fatigue that sets in after five films following the same villain have been released. It will be nostalgic to genre fans who relied on video stores while younger audiences will enjoy the comedy.

Tickets for the Chattanooga Film Festival are available HERE