Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Video Game adaptations have always been met with anticipation and trepidation by their loyal game fanbase. And there has never been a more loyal and frenzied fanbase than those of the indie horror game Five Nights at Freddy’s. To give some backstory to those who haven’t played the game, it’s set in a Chuck E. Cheese-style Pizzeria (here titled Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria) where the animatronic attractions come alive at night. It’s deemed one of the most claustrophobic and terrifying video games ever.

To say that Director and Co-Writer Emma Tammi had her work cut out for her is an understatement. It’s safe to say that she along with the Screenwriting team, which includes the game creator Scott Cawthorn, stays true to the narrative of the game while adding more backstory for their central character Security Guard Mike (Josh Hutcherson).

The First Act of the Film sets up Mike’s world. It’s one way the Filmmakers have turned the Video Game into the three-act narrative structure of cinema. Mike and his little sister Abby (talented newcomer Piper Rubio). Currently, Mike has custody of Abby but that might change in his battle with their Aunt Jane (Mary Stuart Masterson). Hutcherson is strong as a brother struggling with this pseudo-parent yet sibling role. After losing a job as mall security, Mike is forced to take the night shift as the security guard at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria.

The majority of those loyal video game fans used to only being trapped inside Freddy’s will find this First Act drags. Yet, once we arrive inside Freddy’s the Horror and Comedy, creep in. The Animatronics’ resmeblance to the Video Game characters is uncanny, however, changes have been made by the Filmmakers with the movements of these terrifying killer Animatronics. For example, in the game, they don’t move until you turn away from them. Here, they are shown walking around heavy-footed. The sound department and Tammi make these movements eerie. Yet, they never reach the level of terror they do in the game.

Additionally, there’s a narrative involving the ghosts inside the Animatronics that comes from the game and is developed further here. Not to spoil for those who aren’t familiar with the game, but this developed narrative makes the audience sympathize with the animatronics. Yet, it’s also this narrative that creates an impactful emotional character arch for Mike. One that gives him the answer he has been searching for since his younger brother got abducted when they were children.

Five Nights at Freddy’s is a faithful adaptation of the Game, while delivering for audiences going in blind. It excels as a Comedy-Horror with a Director who knows the fear these Animatronics create while understanding the zany nature of the story. The PG rating will be a topic for fans of the game to debate in the cinema lobby. Those against will argue that the killings could’ve been shown on screen with a different rating. Those for will argue that this rating allows all game players, who range from kids to adults, to see this adaptation.

Universal Pictures Canada release FIVE NIGHT AT FREDDY’S on Friday, October 27, 2023.