Five Nights at Freddy's (2023) - If You're a Fan, You're a Fan

Like Dear David (2023), I don't think anyone really expected a Five Nights at Freddy's movie to ever actually arrive. Stuck in production trouble for several years, the film was finally picked up by Blumhouse, working closely with Jim Henson's Creature Workshop.

Five Nights at Freddy's follows Mike Schmidt (Josh Hutcherson)'s five nights (as you might have guessed) working as a security guard at a now defunct Freddy Fazbear's pizzeria. The catch is that the animatronics get a bit lively and a lot less friendly at night.

The film is based on the game series of the same title, and incorporates different ideas from a handful of the games. The indie games have taken the internet by storm, and we've steadily been getting a new release every year. (It's like Saw, down to the convoluted dramatic backstories that don't quite line up, but with more animatronic teddy bears.)

Hutchinson does a great job of being a scream queen, especially when it would be easy for Mike to be an unsympathetic character. Mike could easily come across as an uncaring brother towards his sister, but the film captures how torn he is between caring for a child he's unequipped for whilst also working for an income. And his little sister, Abby (played by Piper Rubio), is also fittingly sympathetic as a lonely, neuro-divergent coded child.

It's Abby who discovers the delightful twist of the film: the animatronics aren't so bloodthirsty all the time. In fact, she befriends them, even if it causes trouble later.

Said animatronics are the shining star of the film; we'd expect nothing less from the Jim Henson Company. The many animatronics feel like they've stepped right out of the games. They look great, they move great, and the performers have worked hard to give each their own personality. It's also charming to see the cupcake utilized so much.

Not only are the animatronics perfect, but so are the sets. It's clear that the crew had an eye for the details when reconstructing the pizzeria from the first game, whilst also capturing the nostalgic feel of arcades and eateries of the late 90s/early 2000s. The setting, with the creepy animatronics, give the film a strong sense of identity. Although heavy on atmosphere, it's lighter on the kills. However, when it does get gruesome, it knows how to get gruesome. (Again, like Saw, finally seeing those springlocks felt like finally seeing a reverse bear trap in action.)

So how does the film stack up to the games? Although they look visually very similar, and use the same broad swathes of law, the film does lose itself a little in Mike's personal plot. Whilst him losing his little brother is great thematically, and (mostly) ties into the overarching plot, it does feel like time is wasted on his attempts to lucid dream. It feels like an excuse to reveal the true nature of the animatronics, when such an excuse isn't really needed.

There are also a few surprises - Vannessa(Elizabeth Lail)- is the police officer who helps the Schmidts - and a character from a much later game. For fans, this was certainly exciting.

And the film certainly feels like it was made for fans. This is clear in having the animatronics fun in between their murders. Whilst some scenes were silly; they felt like a sweet pay off for fans who've known these characters for years. (Sure, he's a killer robot, but who doesn't like Freddy a little, by now?) There's also plenty of easter eggs and references scattered throughout for casual and die hard fans alike. (But that's just a theory!) The story is just twisted enough to keep you on your toes. It certainly felt like it was worth the wait to see an adaptation that was a love letter to the source material with actors who were fully enjoying themselves.

Actors, like Matthew Lillard, who's identity the marketing team gave away, but the film doesn't really try to hide it. His performance is strong, and only stronger in his final scene, providing a stand-out villain and a great Scream reference.

All in all, you're left eager to see these characters return for a sequel, particularly Lillard, and especially when you know what the later games have in store. This could be a villain to join the ranks of Kruger and Jason.

However, if you're not a fan of the games?

Then, yes, the plot may seem convoluted and info-dumped. Then it may seem bizarre that the killer robots are building a fort. (Or you might find it charming - it's hard not to find it charming.) And most of all, there'll be a lot that doesn't feel very explained. Whilst I was watching, I imagined what it would be like to know nothing about the games, and I'd definitely be left confused about Golden Freddy and Balloon Boy. It would certainly feel like a slightly jumbled and eager start to a franchise.

But the film was made, primarily for fans. Fans who'll turn up time and time again for a franchise they've been invested in for ten years. If they're having fun, does the rest hugely matter?

If you're even a passing fan of the Five Nights at Freddy's games, then you'll probably enjoy seeing the movie. If you're not, I'd definitely recommend picking up a few before you dive in - you'll get a lot more out of it, that way.