Throughout the night, strange noises occur, lights flicker, and cameras fizzle in and out of motion. The constant use of the office doors and security cameras eat away the establishment’s electrical power. Footsteps get closer, and so does the fear. Fans of the “Five Nights at Freddy’s” franchise know how deep this fear goes. Since the release of the first game in Aug. 2014 and the first movie in October 2023, the excitement and expectations continue to grow towards the second movie that was released on Friday, Dec. 5. Though many still question: what makes these films so special? The answer lies in the fanbase and entertainment that is brought with them.
Although the “Five Nights at Freddy’s” film wasn’t the first video game adaptation to be produced, it did help to prove that this type of movie can work. Compared to other big companies that have released games such as SEGA with “Sonic the Hedgehog” and Nintendo with “The Super Mario Bros.”, “F.N.A.F” was released by a single game developer, Scott Cawthon. This resulted in it being considered an indie game. With the help of producer Jason Blum (Blumhouse) and director Emma Tammi, Cawthon was able to turn his one-man project into an entertaining experience for fans to enjoy. As a result of this success, many more indie games are set to be made into a movie, such as “Bendy and the Ink Machine” and “Poppy Playtime”, but with no further details at this moment.
Not only are the F.N.A.F. films for long-time fans to enjoy, but they are also a chance for newcomers to get involved and experience their own set of horrors and theories. The movies contain an original script, as opposed to following the game’s supposed storyline. This makes it easier for newer fans to understand the plot and solve mysteries never thought of before. This will create a new generation of fans that will continue to support the franchise and help make it even better.
Despite critics giving the first and second movie scores of less than 33% Rotten Tomatoes, the audience shows their love and admiration by giving both films a score of about 86%. “I think, at the core, this movie wasn’t for the critics. I think you’ve just got to be able to let it go,” director Emma Tammi said (via Dexerto). The films are catered towards the audience rather than critics, fans have enjoyed watching for the nostalgia, entertainment, and easter eggs scattered throughout.
Furthermore, the fanbase is able to freely express themselves by dressing up for the film, sharing their discoveries and theories with one another, and enjoying a scare together without worrying that the film will be unfamiliar to them.
