Five Nights at Freddy’s: A fan-favourite sequel

The latest addition to the Five Nights at Freddy’s franchise hit UK cinemas in December, almost two years after its predecessor, and easily captured first place, opening to $64 million domestically. This marks the highest December horror debut, ahead of 1997’s Scream 2. With the first film leaving us in suspense (although maybe not so much for die hard fans) Blumhouse has been slowly dropping cryptic hints of what is to come and, in doing so, has geared fans up for a new bone-chilling story.

This review contains heavy spoilers for Five Nights at Freddy’s 2. 

We were left with the defeat of William Afton, infamous creator of Freddy’s pizzeria and simultaneously the cause of misery and hauntings, as he was given a taste of his own medicine and left “spring-locked”, trapped in his own metallic grave. With Mike, Abby and Vanessa thinking this was their final curtain call, fans eagerly awaited to see where the newest plot would take the characters next.

Blumhouse took on a challenge in collaborating with game creator Scott Cawthon to give life to the beloved source material, especially with the practical creation of the authentic, 7-8ft tall animatronics

Five Nights at Freddy’s is one of the biggest indie horror game franchises, so rumours of a film adaptation swept fans up in anticipation. After the success of the first instalment, this latest film had high expectations to fulfil. Horror studio Blumhouse took on a challenge in collaborating with game creator Scott Cawthon to give life to the beloved source material, especially with the practical creation of the authentic, 7-8ft tall animatronics which make the games so unique.

With a mixture of puppeteering and engineering, the beloved band of Freddy, Foxy, Chica and Bonnie were masterfully brought to life, their looks perfectly accurate to the games, and it was just as exciting to see the shiny, new “Toy” variations walking about and causing mayhem. The designs of the animatronics are just as fans had hoped, and it is scarily magical to see them beyond the screen of the security cameras.

The newest film follows Abby, who attempts to re-build her friends and save them but gets tangled up with a tragedy that took place in the location prior to the events of the first film. We discover that this is where Afton took Charlotte, his first victim and daughter of Freddy’s co-founder. Charlotte’s death causes her soul to be trapped inside the beloved Marionette, her favourite animatronic. With this, Vanessa, Mike and Abby attempt to overcome the Marionette, whose main objective is to leave the pizzeria and claim vengeance on all the parents who stood idly and watched as she was murdered and forever constrained to a puppet body.

The film franchise does a good job at including as many pop culture references as possible that they know audiences will enjoy, especially the FNAF fanbase, famous for its impressive de-coding and de-bunking skills. Some stand-outs are YouTuber and internet personality Mat Pat as the voice of Toy Bonnie, the “sister location” map drawn on the white board, Shadow Bonnie making an appearance, and of course the grand reveal of Circus Baby through a dream sequence, in all of her menacing glory.

Nonetheless, one issue with the plot is the villainization of Charlotte as the Marionette, who, in the games, acts as a soothing presence and gifts life to the other victims of Afton. Because of this, it is interesting to see her more rageful side.

Also, Marionette’s use of possession is somewhat lazy and seems like an easy way for the creators to overcome the way the puppet works and moves around. It does give the audience a few good jump scares, though, which gives the film a more haunting viewing experience. Overall, this is a good sequel, but suffers from being less plot-driven. Nonetheless, fans may still have hope that in the next film, which many believe will take place in the scare attraction from the third game, will provide a stronger plot and information about the Afton family and their victims.

Big news not just for FNAF fans but equally Scream fans as, for the first time since the original slasher, we see Mathew Lillard and Skeet Ulrich together on screen

It goes without saying that this film is big news not just for FNAF fans but equally Scream fans as, for the first time since the original slasher, we see Mathew Lillard and Skeet Ulrich together on screen. Their dynamic on the red carpet and in interviews is addictive to watch, as if seeing two old friends unite at a school reunion, their chemistry now just as tangible as it was in 1997.

Though while Lillard maintains his psycho-killer streak, Ulrich takes on another role, that of Henry Emily, one of the most mysterious characters of the franchise. His short screen-time may leave many disappointed but fans will likely see more development in Emily’s ambiguous relationship with Afton in the next instalment.

FNAF 2 has plenty to love, with Josh Hutcherson’s Mike disassembling the much hated Balloon Boy, as well as the appearance of the withered animatronics, in all their broken, distorted glory. Much like the first film, FNAF 2 keeps a balance between comedy and the vicious jump scares. Mangle’s first kill, arguably the most horrifying scene, sees the victim left in chunks across the floor.

Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 makes for an entertaining watch, especially as we welcome new characters and even bigger plot twists such as Michael Afton played by Shadow and Bone star Freddy Carter, who reveals himself as the son of William and the forgotten brother of Vanessa, the twisted family tree ever expanding. The film comes to a close as Mike finally pushes Vanessa away, having had enough of her lies, and as we think all is said and done, the Marionette possesses her as a final effort to continue on with her vengeful plan, thus leaving us on yet another cliff hanger.

And it wouldn’t be a FNAF film without a post credit scene, in which we see some teenagers discover the remains of Afton in the Springtrap suit, leading many to believe the next film will follow in the order of the games, taking place in the location of the respective third game. With this in mind, the assumption is that we will be getting a FNAF 3 filled with lore, plenty of Afton’s family circumstances and the emergence of Henry Emily from the shadows.

After a successful sequel, FNAF fans will be waiting anxiously for their next shift at Freddy’s, whenever that may be.