The Five Nights at Freddy’s Movie is Another Adaptation Victory

I was gonna do the original Halloween, because… well, you know. But with this fresh out and streamable, how could I resist?

When this movie was first announced back in 2014, I had two thoughts. Thought one: there was no way in hell it would be any good. Thought two: there was no way in hell it was ever going to actually come out.

Once again, I’ve been proven wrong. But on both points? Or only one?

Mike is a security guard down on his luck, trying in vain to take care of his little sister on his own. After losing his job, he soon finds himself playing security guard for the abandoned Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. But this seemingly innocent pizzeria hides dark secrets. Secrets which tie deeply into Mike’s own traumatizing past.

Speculation was the magic that kept Five Nights at Freddy’s alive during the height of its popularity. It was vague, creepy, and mysterious on just about every level. The result? Fan theories by the thousand. How do you create that kind of intrigue in a movie?

You don’t. But you keep the mystery elements in there to keep the story intriguing and creepy. On the surface, it’s a by the numbers horror movie about a dysfunctional guy trying to protect his sister. But it sprinkles in subtle clues and vague teases, hinting that there’s much more to this plot than what meets the eye.

Atmosphere is another important part of this particular franchise. Dark and empty pizzerias. The creepy uncanny valley effect of animatronics moving and acting in bizarre ways. The 8-bit Atari minigames hinting at the grim history.

This movie captures all of that in its own unique way. The pizzeria is chilling and uncomfortable. All the animatronics leapt right out of the games and into real life. They couldn’t fit in the 8-bit scenes beyond the opening credits, so instead, they deliver vague and creepy dream sequences driven by Mike’s PTSD. It fits very well with FNAF’s tone and content while building on the larger mystery.

And before you ask: yes. There are jump scares. Wouldn’t be FNAF without ’em.

Not all of the scares work. When the movie isn’t being subtly creepy, weird, and atmospheric, it tries way too hard. The animatronics didn’t need glowing red eyes to be scary; it only takes away from the horror! And murder cupcake isn’t frightening, it’s hilarious!

It also does a great job of blending the games together. The cast and setting of FNAF 1. Vanessa from Security Breach is a character. FNAF 3 plays a big part of things. Not to mention little Easter eggs and nods towards the rest of the franchise. A lot of love and care was put into this one.

Also, Matpat gets a cameo. Catchphrase and all! Alas, the king of FNAF was too busy making his own movie, so no Markiplier. Ah well. Maybe in the next one.

Visually speaking, this movie is pretty good! It’s got some interesting cinematography, decent editing, and strong practical effects. Again: all the animatronics look incredible!

The sound design is just as great here as it was in the games. Foxy’s singing. The electric buzzing of flickering lights. Metallic stomping. Combined with the low, atmospheric score – which is often forgone entirely for far more chilling silence – and you get a film dripping with atmosphere.

By the way, the original score really isn’t that impressive. Its either so low you barely notice, which works for building atmosphere, or its inserted songs you’d hear on the radio. Save for one surprise track that neither my brother nor I were expecting, but were nonetheless delighted to hear.

Significantly better than that are the performances. I normally don’t like Josh Hutcherson, but he’s really good in this movie! Piper Rubio is surprisingly good as Abby; she’s very down-to-Earth and real for a child actor. There are a few iffy line reads here and there, but overall? Very good!

And of course: Matpat. Dude was born to play Ness the waiter.

Gotta appreciate script writers with a sense of humor. Especially when they’re actually in touch with their audience.

The FNAF movie is a genuine surprise. Despite all odds, it managed to be a solid film! Both as a horror movie and as a Five Night’s at Freddy’s movie, it knocked it out of the park! Here’s hoping the inevitable sequel can do the same.

Add another point to the list of game movies that are actually good.