The long-anticipated release of the Five Nights at Freddy’s movie, also known as FNaF, has finally hit the cinemas in the UK. After nearly a decade of anticipation and numerous fan theories, the film directed by Emma Tammi is under the spotlight as fans and critics weigh in on whether it lives up to the beloved horror game that inspired it. With an ensemble cast including Hunger Games star Josh Hutcherson and Scream and Scooby-Doo! Star Matthew Lillard, the movie is set to be a box office hit despite mixed early reviews.
The first Five Nights at Freddy’s game, released in 2014, introduces players to Mike Schmidt, a security guard working at the eerie Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza restaurant. In the movie adaptation, Schmidt, played by Josh Hutcherson, finds himself in a desperate situation and takes a night job at the diner offered by the mysterious Steve Raglan, played by Matthew Lillard. As Mike soon discovers, he is not alone, with a cast of murderous animatronic creatures stalking the diner at night.
Critics have given mixed reviews on the film’s ability to replicate the game’s intense atmosphere and jump-scares. Neil Smith of GamesRadar remarked, “The film was about as scary as Barney the purple dinosaur in what is ultimately a ploddingly predictable, gore-lite yawner.” Clarisse Loughley from The Independent felt that the film was “drawn out” and had “a lot less robot murder than you’d have hoped for,” while Digital Spy’s Ian Sandwell found the film lacking engagement for fans and newcomers. Despite the criticism, some have acknowledged the movie’s faithfulness to the original game, with Sandwell admitting that “after so long, fans might just be glad to see Five Nights at Freddy’s recreated so faithfully on the big screen.”
The age rating of the movie has also been a point of discussion among fans. With a 15 certificate in the UK and a PG-13 rating in the US, the film is accessible to a younger audience, although some fans had hoped for a more intense horror experience. Belfast in Northern Ireland is considering an exceptional 15A rating, allowing children to see the film with a parent.
One unique aspect of the FNaF movie is its nods to the YouTube community, with the original game having gained popularity through viral videos of people sharing their reactions. YouTuber CoryxKenshin appears in the film, and Easter eggs reference other FNaF content creators. However, despite rumours, popular YouTuber Markiplier does not appear in the film.
Despite the mixed reviews, the Five Nights at Freddy’s movie is expected to be a hit among fans eagerly awaiting its release for nearly a decade. With a faithful recreation of the game’s animatronics and small details, as well as nods to the YouTube community that helped propel the game to fame, the movie is a tribute to the FNaF phenomenon. Only time will tell if the movie will bring new life to the game, as many fans and content creators hope.
