Summary
- Critics and fans have mixed opinions about the Five Nights at Freddy's movie, with critics giving it a low rating but fans loving its faithfulness to the source material.
- Critics find the horror elements in the film lackluster and not impactful enough, while average moviegoers appreciate its toned-down horror.
- Longtime fans of the game feel that the wait for the movie was worth it, as it captures the lore and spirit of the source material and satisfies their nostalgia.
The Five Nights at Freddy's director has already teased a sequel, so there may be more content on the horizon.
Five Nights at Freddy's was released in October 2023 after being in development since 2015. The film is based on the video game franchise of the same name, which launched in 2014. In the Five Nights at Freddy's video games, players must survive at a family pizza restaurant — Freddy Fazbear's Pizza — as they fend off its violent animatronic mascots. Over the years, lore from the games has been revealed and expanded in sequels, and now this lore has finally made the jump to the big screen. Critics may not understand the excitement, but longtime fans are clearly pleased with the movie adaptation.
Audiences Love Five Nights At Freddy's Accurate Lore & Tone
Fans of the Five Nights at Freddy's games have positive things to say about the movie, and their Rotten Tomatoes reviews praise its faithfulness to the source material. Reviewers note that the film gracefully captures the tone of the games and stays true to the gameplay. One reviewer writes that the film is "filled with lore for all fans of the game," while another adds that "it was great to see a lot of elements from the games." It's clear established fans are the intended audience for Five Nights at Freddy's — and that may be why these strengths didn't woo critics.
Critics find the film to be lackluster, and many are disappointed in its horror elements. James Berardinelli from Reelviews writes, "I was more bored than scared," while Rafer Guzman from Newsday notes that "the scares are too mild to make an impact." The toned-down horror doesn't seem to bother average moviegoers, with several praising the movie for being available to a younger audience. Reviewers also claim that Five Nights at Freddy's is a fun viewing experience even without knowledge of the games' lore. However, the anticipation and built-in fan base are clearly factoring into the movie's reception.
Five Nights At Freddy's Was Worth The Wait For Longtime Fans
Five Nights at Freddy's was in development for nearly eight years, so game fans were anticipating the film for almost a decade. When the Five Nights at Freddy's movie finally came out, it seems it was worth the wait. A major talking point in Rotten Tomatoes reviews is that the movie builds on the nostalgia for the original game — and that nostalgia has likely only grown over the years. While critics are less wowed, fans of the game appear to love the adaptation. With Five Nights at Freddy's end-credits scene hinting at a new villain, a sequel seems likely. Hopefully, moviegoers will be less divided over a follow-up.
