“Five Nights at Freddy’s: A Thrilling Leap from Screen to Cinema”

Culture

The ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ Movie Is Coming. Here’s Everything We Know (and Don’t Know)

By | October 25, 2023

The Race for the Best Pizza-Place Animatronic Horror Film of 2023

The competition for the title of “2023’s best film where pizza-place animatronics come to life and murder people” is heating up. This Friday, Five Nights at Freddy’s, a comedic horror flick directed by Emma Tammi and based on the popular indie video game series of the same name, will hit theaters. While the 2023 scary movie slate has seen a mix of original works and sequels, Five Nights at Freddy’s stands out as a fascinating wild card given its prime release date just in time for Halloween.

The Lore Surrounding Five Nights at Freddy’s and What the Movie Is About

For those not familiar with the game, Five Nights at Freddy’s follows the story of a security guard at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, a Chuck E. Cheese-style chain restaurant known for its friendly-looking animatronic animal characters. As the night shift begins, these characters come to life, with murderous consequences.

But what makes the animatronics behave in such a disturbing way? According to the lore established in the third installment of the game, it is revealed that the animatronics are actually possessed by the spirits of children who were murdered by William Afton, the restaurant co-founder and franchise antagonist. Afton stuffed the bodies inside the animatronics and accidentally killed himself when he disguised himself in an animatronic suit and activated its springlocks. The first game hints at this backstory when an exposition explains that the restaurant’s reputation was damaged when blood, mucus, and foul odors started leaking from the animatronics’ eyes and mouths.

The Creator and Controversies Surrounding Five Nights at Freddy’s

The franchise was originally created by Scott Cawthon, who developed Five Nights after a career making Christian-centric games and films. The first game, released in 2014, earned critical acclaim and a massive fan base for an indie game. However, Cawthon retired from game development in 2021 following controversy over his political donations to Republican politicians, including Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell. Despite the controversy, Cawthon expressed support for LGBTQ+ members of the Five Nights community before his departure.

The Movie Cast and Director

While some have pointed out similarities between Five Nights at Freddy’s and the 2021 Nicolas Cage horror film Willy’s Wonderland, the video game franchise predates the Cage release. The movie boasts a strong cast, with Josh Hutcherson, known for his role in The Hunger Games, playing the lead role. Other notable actors include Elizabeth Lail from Gossip Girl, Matthew Lillard from Scream, and Mary Stuart Masterson from Fried Green Tomatoes. Emma Tammi, known for her versatility as a filmmaker, serves as both the director and co-writer of the film.

The Anticipation for the Film

Based on the trailers released by Universal, the Five Nights at Freddy’s movie shows promise. Blumhouse, the production company behind the film, has a strong track record of making great goofy horror flicks. The arcade setting and creature design seem both visually stunning and faithful to the games. However, concerns have been raised about the narrow review embargo window, which usually indicates a studio’s fear of negative feedback. It remains to be seen whether the film will live up to its potential and resonate with both fans and casual moviegoers.

A PG-13 Rating and its Appeal to Younger Horror Fans

With a PG-13 rating, Five Nights at Freddy’s sets itself apart from the R-rated Willy’s Wonderland. Director Emma Tammi explained in an interview that they wanted the film to be inclusive of the franchise’s younger fans, which influenced their approach to depicting violence. They leaned into shadows, silhouettes, and sound design to create impactful moments without showing explicit gore. While this decision may disappoint hardcore horror fans, it offers an opportunity for younger audiences to enjoy the film.

In conclusion, Five Nights at Freddy’s has the potential to be an enjoyable horror film, particularly for younger fans. Its faithfulness to the game’s lore and creative use of visuals make it an exciting addition to the genre. However, it remains to be seen whether the movie will live up to its hype and stand out amongst the crowded 2023 scary movie slate.