By: Romilly Heffron
Introduction
On October 27th, the long-awaited Five Nights at Freddy's (FNAF) movie was released in cinemas. Fans have waited approximately eight years for the movie adaptation to finally hit the cinema. The FNAF movie was adapted from the iconic Five Nights at Freddy's video game series created by Scott Cawthon. The movie was co-produced by Scott and co-directed by Emma Tammi and Scott Cuddeback. The release of the FNAF movie has sent shockwaves through the gaming community, as devotees of the popular horror series anticipated a cinematic experience that would bring their animatronic nightmares to life.
Franchise history
Since the original indie game release in 2014, Five Nights at Freddy's has grown into a pop cultural phenomenon, captivating millions of players, theorists, and developers alike with its unique blend of suspense, jumpscares, expert plot, and possible lore craft. Over the years, the FNAF franchise has built up a dedicated fanbase, solely occupied with piercing together lore, looking into the historical timeline, and eagerly awaiting new adaptations to the FNAF brand.
Nostalgia done right
Fans around the globe agreed that the film successfully taps into the nostalgic element that made the game a cultural tsunami. The recreation of the animatronic characters, costumes, props, and incredibly accurate set invokes a sense of familiarity and nostalgia that adds depth to the cinematic experience. An interviewed fan stated, "They clearly did their research, the attention to detail was really great to see, all the posters were recreated to a tee, and I know they did it all by hand, so props to them." Another interviewed fan stated, "I really liked how real and solid the costumes looked; you could barely tell a person was under there, and it really gave the movie a realistic feel." Overall, fans agreed it was great to see all the clues and easter eggs from their childhood making an appearance on the silver screen.
Struggles with the pacing
The pacing of the film was a double-edged sword. While it successfully builds tension in some moments, it falters in others, resulting in an uneven narrative. This inconsistency may leave viewers feeling disconnected from the overall experience. Many fans stated there was "no specific peak of action or plot," and even if there was, it "didn't feel like it."
Gore factor
With news that the movie was going to be more "family-friendly, "despair of yet another goosebumps phenomenon was beginning to spread throughout the fandom, especially with all the fans maturing with age as the franchise grew over the years. However, when the actual movie came out, there was an awesome mix of family-friendly content leveled with the perfect amount of gore that had both young and older fans satisfied. There will always be some fans who would have preferred more grisly, bloodied scenes, but overall, the producers did not disappoint.
Lore?
Finally, onto the topic that consumes a large proportion of the fandom's every waking thought: the lore. The Five Nights at Freddy's movie takes a bold departure from the established canon timeline of the game series, a move that has left ardent fans both intrigued and perplexed. Deviating from the meticulously crafted narrative of the game, the film introduces narrative elements and plot twists that significantly diverge from the established lore. Longtime followers of the franchise may find themselves grappling with a sense of dissonance as the movie unfolds, introducing unfamiliar story arcs and character dynamics. A disappointed fan states that they were "looking forward to any new easter eggs of clues, but [guesses] not." The decision to deviate from the canonical timeline raises questions about the creative liberties taken by the filmmakers, leaving fans to reconcile their known ideas of the FNAF universe. Whether this departure enhances the storytelling experience will likely become a point of commentary amongst the fanbase, sparking debates about the delicate balance between creative adaptation and faithful representation.
Final ratings
In conclusion, Five Nights at Freddy's is worth a watch for those fans looking for a sport of nostalgia and who affectionately know the springlock scene, as well as an amazing chance for new fans to pique their interest. Scoring an overall 25% rotten tomatoes and a star rating of ⅗ stars on IMDP. No matter what your motive, it could be worth a watch.