The producers of M3GAN and The Black Phone bring the terrifying horror game phenomenon to life as a blood-chilling film. Recently fired and desperate for work so that he can keep custody of his little sister, Mike (Josh Hutcherson; The Hunger Games Franchise) agrees to take a position as a night security guard at an abandoned theme restaurant: Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria. But Mike soon discovers that nothing at Freddy’s is what it seems. Mike’s nights at Freddy’s will lead him into unexplainable encounters with the supernatural and drag him into the black heart of an unspeakable nightmare.
What We Thought:
Five Nights at Freddy’s was a monster hit at the box office despite also being released on Peacock the same day. Fans of the games came out for it as did horror enthusiasts. I’ve never played any of the games so I had no connection to the film itself.
Because I had no connection I didn’t get much out of the movie. I didn’t know any of the characters. I didn’t respond to cameos that others surely did. I don’t know video game YouTubers or people who make their living talking about video games so there are things in the film that went over my head that I had no response to.
In a way not knowing about the games/their stories is beneficial because I didn’t immediately compare the film to the games. I’m assuming the Autistic sister (although they never call her Autistic she comes across that way) is made up for the movie, but I can’t guarantee it. I know Josh Hutcherson’s character is similar in that both the games and movie involve a security guard at the same place. I think the side story of his kidnapped younger brother is made up for the film and is completely unnecessary as well.
That’s the biggest issue I have with the film, there are lots of things going on with unnecessary side stories. Hutcherson takes a job to take care of his sister who the aunt is trying to get custody of. He’s also taking pills to help remember when his brother got kidnapped. Elizabeth Lail plays a cop who knows secrets about the pizzeria. The pizzeria is full of secrets and horror. Half of this isn’t necessary. You wasted incredible animatronic puppets with too many side quests. I wanted killer puppets and a security guard, that’s it. That’s all I cared about.
Five Nights at Freddy’s was a box office hit that will get sequels. It’s going to do well here on home video as well. Despite me not getting much from it, clearly the target audience did and I’m fine with that. I wanted more killer puppets and gore, but the PG-13 version doesn’t quite get there. This Blu-ray version does come as a Night Shift Edition which seems to push the envelope more. You should be able to guess who the bad guy is if it hasn’t been spoiled for you already. If you liked it at theaters this has some great bonus features for you to enjoy as well.
BONUS FEATURES:
- FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S: From Game to Big Screen – Feel the frights of Freddy Fazbear’s come alive as the film recreates the game’s world with immersive environments and wild surprises that’ll haunt longtime fans and newcomers alike.
- Killer Animatronics – Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy transform from cute and cuddly into creepy and killer through a combination of costumed performers and cutting-edge puppetry.
- FIVE NIGHTS in Three Dimensions – FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S takes a two-dimensional game and turns it into a three-dimensional nightmare.
The Nerds Templar 