Synopsis: The film follows a troubled security guard as he begins working at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. While spending his first night on the job, he realizes the night shift at Freddy’s won’t be so easy to make it through.
Quit allowing yourself to be so enamored with the past that your present suffers. For better or worse, our past experiences play an integral role in shaping who we will become. From how we move about the world to what foods make us gag, we can look at yesterday’s failures and turn them into today’s wins and tomorrow’s successes. As long as you’re willing to accept that what has already happened can’t be changed, you can’t work on rectifying the situation to the best of your ability and bettering the environment around you.
“I can’t do nights.”
One, two, Freddy’s coming for you, three, four… wait, wait, wait, wrong Freddy. However, he’s still coming and there are also a few other parallels. What a perfect month and weekend for this franchise to make its theatrical debut. Eerie vibes? Check. Intriguing story? Check. Video game references and Easter eggs? Huge check. Directed by Emma Tammi, Five Nights at Freddy’s is a fine start to the FNaF Cinematic Universe. That’s right, I said it. Now introducing, the Five Nights at Freddy’s Cinematic Universe. Or maybe it should be the FCU or FNCU, we will figure it out. I mean with a franchise that is already as big as it is, it only makes sense for it to launch itself on the silver screen. And I say “we” because while I may not be well-versed in gameplay, after seeing this movie, I’m all in on the story. Are there some things that were left unexplained? Yes. Is it the best video game adaption? No. But dammit, it’s an intriguing story and it knows its audience. Mixing characters and storylines from various games to create a familiar yet unique narrative, fans will be delighted to see Freddy and company come to life and also be surprised by where the story takes them.
Set in what seems to be the late 90s or maybe even 2000, all the beloved elements of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza are on full display, sounds included. Perfectly walking the line between suitable enough for kids over ten and thrilling enough for those who simply love horror films, it’s a treat for everyone. Moreover, if the storyline wasn’t grim or supernatural enough in the game, it is fully felt in live-action. We still see everything from the perspective of Mike, but he is no longer trying to survive the night to save himself from death. No, he is fighting to save his sister while also being haunted by past devastation. He soon learns that nothing is quite as it seems and the answers that he’s looking for reside in the depths of a haunted family-fun center clad in terrible secrets.
“I always come back.”
As a huge fan of the games, my middle school-aged stepson loved the movie. Not to mention, the two Youtuber cameos that had him as well as the rest of the crowd in attendance cheering like Taylor Swift was being shown on the screen at a Chiefs game. And from what I could tell, those who are truly fans of FNaF and its lore left with a smile on their face. Furthermore, I can’t say I had a bad either. While it’s about 15 minutes too long and takes a while to really get into the thick of things, once the reveals and twists spring from the shadows, you can’t help but lock your eyes on the screen.
Using many of the classic horror shots and tropes, Five Nights at Freddy’s will definitely scare some moviegoers. However, not enough to scar anyone or cause nightmares because of its comedic balance. The movie is aesthetically more pleasing than the trailers reveal. The sound design and score are some of its best aspects. Oh, and with its dream intrusions and engineering contraptions, it embodies A Nightmare on Elm Street and Saw at times as well as another horror franchise that I won’t mention for the sake of spoilers. Five Nights at Freddy’s may not be for everyone, but it is made in a fashion that everyone is invited. It’s fun, it’s entertaining, and there will definitely be a sequel, and I’m here for it. Its rewatchability is medium-high.
Also, you might want to stay until the end of the credits. I thought I heard a voice spelling something but it was too noisy for me to make out what it was.
Pacing & Pop
The film is paced perfectly as its mysterious creeping nature matches that of the videogame. There are a few slow parts in the middle as it builds its own narrative that weaves within the existing one. What popped for me was how casually dark the story actually is. They’re not just ghosts but…
Characters & Chemistry
Starring: Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Lail, Kat Conner Sterling and Piper Rubio, with Mary Stuart Masterson and Matthew Lillard
None of the performances are immediately breathtaking, but they are full of intrigue, care, and sinister energy. You will constantly question the motives of almost everyone. Even those who seem the safest have this looming eerie and slightly uncomfortable energy. It turns this somewhat haunted house romp into a mystery. My favorite performance has to be Elizabeth Lail’s as Vanessa because you just can never get a full read on her. Everything in the movie is a red flag, you have to hope that you encounter a faded shade.
Five Nights at Freddy’s releases in theaters and begins streaming on Peacock on October 27, 2023. Remain safe and don’t forget your flashlight.
Rated: PG-13
Runtime: 1h 50m
Director: Emma Tammi
Writers: Scott Cawthon, Emma Tammi, Seth Cuddebac
Based on: the video game series created by Scott Cawthon
Producers: Jason Blum, Scott Cawthorn
Executive Producers: Bea Sequeira, Russell Binder, Marc Mostman, Christopher H. Warner
Animatronic Character Design: Jim Henson’s Creature Shop (Robert Bennett, Pete Brooke, John Criswell)
Director of Photography: Lyn Moncrief
VFX Supervisor: Jonathan Dearing
Music: The Newton Brothers
https://youtube.com/watch?v=Z_T0o5uNrlY%3Fsi%3DukHEhkxpDKEJZ3rL
Senior Critic. Observing the human race since 1988.
