A graphic for the new film “Five Nights at Freddy’s” shows the animatronics (left to right) Freddy, Chica, Bonnie and Foxy. Released to theaters on Oct. 27, the film was a disappointing installment to the beloved video game franchise. “None of the characters are likable or memorable. Even the subplot of the animatronics’ possession is lackluster, being more cringey than scary,” Viewpoints Staffer Sam Harwell wrote. Photo fair use of IMDb
On Oct. 27 the movie “Five Nights At Freddy’s,” centered around haunted animatronics and directed by Emma Tammi, was released to theaters.
“Five Nights At Freddy’s,” directed by Emma Tammi and produced by Blumhouse, is the latest film in the “video game” movie genre, a genre filled with static characters, loose plots and a heavy reliance on nostalgia and iconic characters.
Viewers should know to expect all these deficiencies, yet somehow, FNAF still disappoints.
In the film, viewers follow a poor security guard named Mike (Josh Hutcherson) as he works at an abandoned 80’s pizzeria. The film opens with Mike getting fired from his job as mall security and heading to a career counselor’s office. His counselor recommends a job as a security officer at “Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria.”
He ends up taking the job to keep custody of his little sister Abby (Piper Rubio). Upon arrival at the pizza place, and with help of a police officer named Vanessa (Elizabeth Lail), he finds animatronics, which are lifelike robots, haunted by the ghosts of dead kids killed by an evil man who owns Freddy’s.
The trailer for “Five Nights at Freddy’s” shows the animitronics and Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria. Released to theaters on Oct. 27, the film dissapointed the fans of the video game franchise. “For a franchise known for its major jump scares, there were surprisingly few in the film. Although some minor scares here and there, but nothing to make viewers really jump out of their seat,” Viewpoints Staffer Sam Harwell wrote. Video fair use of Universal Pictures
Unfortunately, the plot is loose and rushed, and does not take the necessary time to further develop the characters. The subplot of keeping custody of Abby is forced, and none of the characters are likable or memorable. Even the subplot of the animatronics’ possession is lackluster, being more cringey than scary.
At certain points in the movie, it’s hard to tell it’s supposed to be a horror film. The animatronics are laughably janky, and while they’re occasionally used for good scares, most of the time they are slowly clanking their way through the dimly lit halls.
For a franchise known for its major jump scares, there were surprisingly few in the film. Although some minor scares here and there, but nothing to make viewers really jump out of their seat.
Overall, “Five Nights at Freddy’s” has a loose plot with little character development, and can barely be considered a horror movie worthy of the FNAF video game franchise.
