CREMASTER 5 is a five-act opera (sung in Hungarian) set in late-ninteenth century Budapest. The last film in the series, it represents the moment when the testicles are finally released and sexual differentiation is fully attained. The lamenting tone of the opera suggests that Barney invisions this as a moment of tragedy and loss. The primary character is the Queen of Chain (played by Ursula Andress). Barney, himself, plays three characters who appear in the mind of the Queen: her Diva, Magician, and Giant. The Magician is a stand-in for Harry Houdini, who was born in Budapest in 1874 and appears as a recurring character in the Cremaster cycle.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Ursula AndressQueen of Chain | Queen of Chain |
 Matthew BarneyDiva / Giant / Magician | Diva / Giant / Magician |
| JJoanne RhaQueen's Usher / Fudor Sprite | Queen's Usher / Fudor Sprite |
| SSusan RhaQueen's Usher / Fudor Sprite | Queen's Usher / Fudor Sprite |
| AAmy ChiangFudor Sprite | Fudor Sprite |
| MMei-Chiao ChiuFudor Sprite | Fudor Sprite |
| MMichelle IngkavetFudor Sprite | Fudor Sprite |
| YYoko HyunFudor Sprite (as Yoko Kuroiwa) | Fudor Sprite (as Yoko Kuroiwa) |
| KKim NghiemFudor Sprite | Fudor Sprite |