Five by Five (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

Set 30 years before Echo 8, Five by Five follows the troubled Agent 5 as grief pulls him into a gradual spiral of chaos within Zodiac’s hierarchy. This Australian action thriller is directed by Maria Tran and Takashi Hara, with Masa Yamaguchi in the lead role.

Five by Five is an Australian action thriller that expands the world introduced by Echo 8. Set three decades before that film, the prequel centers on Agent 5 and the difficult period that shapes his place within Zodiac’s hierarchy.

The story is framed around grief, uncertainty and a growing descent into chaos. With Masa Yamaguchi playing Agent 5 and Maria Tran and Takashi Hara sharing directing duties, the film adds an earlier chapter to the larger Echo 8 setting.

Five by Five movie details

Story without spoilers

The film follows Agent 5 during a grief-stricken period of his life, charting his gradual spiral into chaos as he moves through Zodiac’s hierarchy. Its position as a prequel places the story 30 years before Echo 8, offering context for the character and the world surrounding him without revealing the outcome of his path.

The supplied cast information also identifies Daigo, Z12 and The Tip among the characters connected to the story, while Tim Spriggs is listed in a role yet to be announced.

What to expect

As an action thriller, Five by Five is positioned around danger, conflict and an increasingly unstable central character. The prequel format gives the film a clear connection to Echo 8, while Agent 5’s grief provides the emotional basis for his movement toward chaos.

The available details point to a character-focused expansion of an existing fictional world rather than a standalone premise. Beyond its genre, setting within Zodiac’s hierarchy and connection to Echo 8, specific plot developments and stylistic details have not been provided.

Cast and creative team

Masa Yamaguchi leads the cast as Agent 5. Takashi Hara plays Daigo, while Mike Leeder appears as Z12 and Alexander W. Hunter portrays The Tip. Tim Spriggs is attached in a role listed as TBA.

Maria Tran and Takashi Hara direct Five by Five from a screenplay by Elizabeth H. Vu. Hara therefore serves both behind and in front of the camera, as director and performer.

• Masa Yamaguchi as Agent 5
• Takashi Hara as Daigo
• Mike Leeder as Z12
• Alexander W. Hunter as The Tip
• Tim Spriggs as TBA

Release and production context

Five by Five is listed as a 2026 Australian production in English, from Phoenix Eye Films. Its supplied release date is November 14, 2026. The film is marked as released in the provided metadata, although no runtime is listed. It is identified as a prequel to Echo 8 and belongs to the action and thriller genres.

Production companies: Phoenix Eye Films

Five by Five official trailer

Watch the official trailer on YouTube

Movies Dock view

Five by Five offers an earlier look at Agent 5 and the circumstances surrounding his place in Zodiac’s hierarchy. With its 30-year gap before Echo 8, the film’s main point of distinction is the way it connects a personal story of grief to the broader prequel setting.

Film data:
TMDB · IMDb