Review: despite plenty of jabs, The Five Star Weekend lacks bite

The Five Star Weekend follows Hollis Shaw, a successful chef and author who struggles to navigate life following the sudden death of her husband, Matthew. Seeking emotional support, she invites four friends from different stages of her life to a weekend getaway at her beach house in Nantucket. The gathering includes career-driven Dru-Ann, shy Brooke, cynical Tatum, and Gigi, a pilot with whom Hollis shares a complex history. The retreat is further complicated by the unannounced arrival of Hollis’s teenage daughter, Caroline, who creates additional friction among the group.

While the series explores familiar dynamics often found in female friendships, critics have noted that it lacks the narrative depth seen in similar dramas. Despite various interpersonal conflicts and buried secrets coming to light over the course of eight episodes, the show relies heavily on feel-good music and picturesque scenery. Ultimately, the production remains a surface-level exploration of its characters' emotional journeys rather than a sharp, biting critique of their complicated relationships.