The long-awaited adaptation of the popular Five Nights At Freddy’s game has finally arrived after falling into development hell. The franchise began its meteoric rise into pop culture following the first game’s release back in August 2014. From there, it was only up for the franchise, garnering more and more popularity over the years. However, the real question is, does the film live up to its potential? kinda.
Funtime For The Family
We just have to get this out of the way immediately; Five Nights at Freddy’s isn’t a horror film, at least to me. This is much more like a comedy. The film definitely has its moments where they attempt to raise the tension, but never really get you to cover your eyes. That isn’t to say the film pulls its punches. They manage to really run with their PG-13 rating and include some gory moments that shocked a lot of folks.
Five Nights at Freddy’s is quite funny, even if it isn’t trying to be, but it works and makes for an enjoyable experience. I think a lot of it has to do with the animatronics being shown in a very different way than they are in the game, particularly with the lighting, being shown in full, normal lighting kind of takes away their fear factor. In the game, most of the time you see this is from a distance with minimal lighting that heightens the tension of their imminent attack. Some of them certainly have their moments where they get a bit scarier, I mean if you found yourself locked in a dark closet with a giant blue rabbi, I don’t think the first thing you’d feel is excitement. Also, that cupcake does not play, probably the most vicious of them all.
The film feels toned down for a younger audience, while of course, the franchise does indeed have a lot of young fans, a bulk of the fan base has grown since the original games were released. If we could have handled that in middle school, it could’ve worked well on the big screen. This does at times feel like a film that children would absolutely adore, but then be confused by all the stuff that isn’t Freddy and the gang.
The Show Must Go On
The story here is pretty plain and simple; if you were going into this expecting something super deep and rich you went to the wrong movie. I mean the first game itself doesn’t give you that much of a story. Obviously, a straight 1-1 adaptation of that would not work at all but they definitely do elevate aspects of the story, even if they make some changes to the lore. Here it is: just get the money, keep your sister from your shitty aunt, try not to be beaten to death by anthropomorphic animatronic animals. It doesn’t really need to be anything too complicated.
Producer Jason Blum has spoken before that the reason Five Nights at Freddy’s took so long to get made was that it wasn’t being made for the fans specifically. While that may mean a simple story, it doesn’t need to be anything fancy, I mean Freddie Prinze Jr. put it pretty well: “It was a talking dog, you know what I mean?”.
That’s not to say they do not get creative with their choices, some being better than others of course. While the film follows vaguely close to the lore of the franchise that has expanded rapidly since 2014, they do make some…changes. It is very obvious that they’re going to try to connect some parts of the franchise much closer than before. There is quite a big change in the film that may be divisive among fans but may end up working out better in the long run if given the time to play out.
A Colorful Cast
One thing I don’t think I’ve seen talked about enough is Five Nights at Freddy’s‘ great cast, led by Josh Hutcherson, Piper Rubio, Matthew Lilliard, and Elizabeth Lail. Hutcherson turns in a pretty decent performance as the troubled Mike (no last name given, hmmm?). Rubio often steals every scene she is in with her great line delivery. Lilliard is where things really shine, if that is a shock to anyone, someone known to fully go all in on his roles. While he unfortunately does not have a ton of screen time, Lilliard shines through what he is given and really devours his time in the film’s final act, I don’t think we could’ve gotten better casting for his character, truly need to see more from him in the franchise if given another shot.
You can also consider Freddy, Bonnie, Chica and Foxy to be members of the film’s cast, and they are pretty great. Brought to life through real-life animatronics via the Henson Company, Puppeteering and even suits worn by actors, the core four of the franchise a brought to life quite well.
If I were to make one complaint about the core four it would have to be their lack of individuality. While the games do not explicitly characterize, there are mannerisms and little quirks that each of them has that feel absent here. Chica does however still love to check out what’s up for grubbing in the kitchen.
This isn’t to say they aren’t great, probably one of, if not, the best things about the movie, as they are funny and at times sweet. Probably not something you wanna hear about a “horror” film, but oh well too late.
High Quality For A Joint From The 80s
For a movie based on a stationary game, they knew they would definitely have their work cut out for them when it came to bringing the place to life. Much of the game is seen through a shoddy and outdated security system so they had to take some creative liberties in bringing this old Pizza joint to life. While the place is shuttered it does really feel alive, the little things scattered around the place like the “CELEBRATE!” poster from the game, and the drawings scattered along the walls, as well as the stained glass dividers in the seating areas, and even the scattered plushies really tied the place together well.
Five Nights at Freddy’s is also well shot, with some nice angles here that definitely elevate its tame energy and feel as if its given a bit more of an edge. They get pretty creative with their work here and it shows.
Also NEED to highlight the great score by The Newton Brothers, best known for their work alongside Mike Flanagan. I can’t wait to dive back in and check out some of the score from the film.
‘Five Nights At Freddy’s’ – Final Thoughts
While not without its flaws, Blumhouse’s Five Nights at Freddy’s is a fun time at the theater. Surely a better time for the fans. Fans who’ll certainly be picking this film apart for quite a while (but that is just a theory). With a good cast, a great score, and an unexpected amount of laughs, the film earns a shot before you decide to write it off as just another bad video game film.
Five Nights at Freddy’s is now streaming on Peacock. Check out a a trailer for the film below.
