Looking to buy tickets for the movie “Five Nights at Freddy’s”? You’re probably intrigued by the sheer audacity of creating a $25 million budget film about killer animatronics possessed by dead children. But, you’re also hoping that the movie will capture the same entertainment value as the beloved childhood horror game franchise.
The good news is that “Five Nights at Freddy’s” understands its core appeal: a nostalgic rollercoaster ride that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The film delivers the same scares, laughs, and fun as the games that had us glued to our screens years ago, watching our favorite YouTubers play.
The story follows Mike Schmidt (played by Josh Hutcherson), a troubled security guard who starts working at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria, a once-popular restaurant known for its singing animatronic mascots. Strange occurrences begin to unfold as Mike discovers the dark history of the restaurant and its connection to a series of unsolved murders. With each passing night, the animatronics become increasingly menacing, and Mike’s world turns into a nightmare. But when he brings his sister to work, he realizes that the pizzeria may not be as deserted as it seems.
For those unfamiliar with the original “FNaF” game, it started as a video game franchise in 2014. The game’s developer, Scott Cawthon, self-financed the first game after a failed Kickstarter campaign. The game gained popularity among kids and teenagers with its terrifying character design, unpredictable gameplay, and terrifying jump scares. YouTubers like “Markiplier” played a significant role in boosting the franchise’s popularity by sharing gameplay videos.
In addition to gameplay, the game’s intricate lore, spanning across multiple games, novels, comic books, and music albums, created a devoted online following. The series is filled with hidden clues and secrets that were carefully analyzed by gamers and YouTubers like “MatPat” from the channel “The Game Theorists.” Their collaboration with Cawthon on later games further fueled the franchise’s success.
While the movie acknowledges the silliness of its premise, it also succeeds in making viewers invested in the characters and their backstories. “Five Nights at Freddy’s” combines horror and comedy in a way that keeps the audience engaged throughout. The film faithfully recreates the animatronics and the eerie atmosphere of the game, transporting viewers back to the creepy pizzeria from their childhood. The movie even incorporates the gameplay’s editing style, creating a sense of familiarity and excitement.
Fans of the game franchise will appreciate the accurate portrayal of the animatronics and the nostalgic trip down memory lane. Even those unfamiliar with the source material can enjoy the film’s nods to mid-2010s internet culture and the thrill of jump scares. The movie is packed with Easter eggs and references, from the opening title sequence resembling the game’s mini-games to the appearance of beloved childhood YouTubers.
However, for newcomers to the franchise, the film may not deliver the same scares unless they have childhood memories of being scared by the animatronics. The horror aspect relies heavily on nostalgia.
While “Five Nights at Freddy’s” may not be suitable for those unfamiliar with the games, it successfully takes viewers on a thrilling ride to their childhood and leaves them wanting more. It’s no surprise that a sequel or two is already in the works.
Contact Tony Jaeyeong Jeong at [email protected]
