CHAPTER 51 is a comedic thriller made as a documentary (so it’s essentially a mockumentary), and it’s so deliciously meta. There are references to both real-life and fictitious actors and movies. Plus, it looks absolutely gorgeous. I enjoyed this so much more than I expected. Read our full Chapter 51 movie review here!
CHAPTER 51 is a whodunnit comedic thriller or mockumentary, if you will, as it’s made as a documentary while being honest about this all being fiction. The casting is brilliant, the visuals (using most major lenses) are gorgeous, and the story is so meta, I couldn’t help but enjoy this.
It almost feels like an arthouse film, but it’s also a classic mockumentary and a whodunnit thriller with comedic elements. If even one of these elements is your jam, then you’re in for a treat. Do not miss out on this.
Even the trailer is made to tease more than just give away the plot. I applaud that in this day and age, where too many trailers are essentially giving away key plot points and spoilers.
Continue reading our Chapter 51 movie review. Find it on VOD on June 23, 2026.
Who is THK – The Hollywood Killer?
Chapter 51 is the story of how three leading ladies were killed off during the production of a $500 million movie. More specifically, this movie is made as a true crime documentary, using footage from the production of the movie that resulted in the murder of three women.
The serial killer was dubbed THK or The Hollywood Killer. Both due to targeting actors starring in a huge Hollywood blockbuster production, and because he filmed the murders.
In the Chapter 51 mockumentary, which plays out as a comedic thriller in many ways, we follow all the clues. As a result, we go through the five key suspects and also hear from most of them. The unidentified figure known as the Hollywood Killer is compared to the Zodiac because he has remained at large.
As the narrator and documentarist, we have a former FBI agent, Thomas Scott (played by writer-director Tyler Shields), who reopens the case while shooting a documentary. While watching this, you’ll probably draw your own conclusions, but expect them to change many times over.
Each new suspect seems more guilty than the former.
Gorgeous visuals and awesome characters
This genre-bending movie is a true treat for both fans of true crime (despite this not being a real crime) and anyone who loves pop culture references and lots of meta in their movies. Chapter 51 is a Hollywood-set crime thriller that was shot utilizing every available film format.
This includes IMAX, VistaVision, and Ultra Panavision. All of which ensured the most gorgeous visuals and a feel of both old Hollywood and modern filmmaking. Bold and saturated colors and big emotions from those perfect shots.
In fact, this movie used even more than those formats already available; A new format was created specifically for Chapter 51. All to get Tyler Shields’ desired visual style. All of this helps the characters come together as well.
And, speaking of characters, I loved how we saw them evolve as well. With each new suspect, new layers of both that and other characters were revealed. The calm and gorgeous leading man is suddenly a nervous wreck, and the gentle and soft-spoken leading lady is a fierce and unapologetic diva.
Watch Chapter 51 on VOD now
Written, directed, and shot by Tyler Shields, Chapter 51 is a movie he must be immensely proud of. Plus, he also stars as the man making the documentary. Again, very meta, and I cannot get enough of it!
While the genre-bending Chapter 51 works as a movie for the small screen, the film-within-a-film’s extremely gorgeous shots really deserve a big-screen presentation. Not least thanks to those bold visuals and the old Hollywood feel of the modern-day actors, portrayed by an amazing cast.
Chapter 51 stars two-time Academy Award-nominee and Emmy-winner Colman Domingo (Disclosure Day), Academy Award-nominee Abigail Breslin (Zombieland: Double Tap), Emily Alyn Lind (Doctor Sleep), Charlotte Lawrence (Bad Monkey), Dylan Sprayberry (Sick), and Connor Paolo (Star People).
Everyone in this cast is brilliant. While characters are obviously more inspired by specific real-life people than others, all of them are amazing. I know this isn’t a real documentary, but I still found myself very invested in getting to the bottom of this mystery. And I feel like I know the fake movies referenced!
Cineverse is releasing Chapter 51 on all digital platforms on June 23, 2026.
📺 Watch trailer
Plot
During the making of a $500 million film, three actresses are murdered by an unidentified figure known as the Hollywood Killer. As fear spreads across the set, production continues under a new director. Years later, former FBI agent Thomas Scott reopens the case, unraveling a haunting story of ambition, obsession, and the cost of keeping the cameras rolling.
Details
Director: Tyler Shields
Writer: Tyler Shields
Cast: Colman Domingo, Abigail Breslin, Emily Alyn Lind, Charlotte Lawrence, Connor Paolo, Dylan Sprayberry
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