Mike (Josh Hutcherson) is haunted by nightmares stemming from his younger brother’s abduction years prior. As an adult, he struggles to maintain stable employment, a necessity given his responsibility as the caretaker for his little sister. Driven by financial need, he accepts a position as a night watchman at a defunct restaurant, Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. He quickly discovers that this is no ordinary security job, as the restaurant’s animatronic figures appear to be animate, and the location conceals a sinister secret.
Five Nights at Freddy’s originated as an indie video game nearly a decade ago. My introduction to the franchise occurred during my review of Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach. At that time, I lacked familiarity with the structure of the earlier games. The original game centers on monitoring the animatronic characters via surveillance cameras and strategically closing doors to prevent their entry, emphasizing careful power management.
The film adaptation of Five Nights at Freddy’s expands upon the game’s narrative, but its plot suffers from coherence issues and questionable logic. An excessive amount of screen time is devoted to Mike’s sleep disturbances and nightmares, resulting in a narrative that feels disjointed. Furthermore, the film’s setup contains inconsistencies. Mike is tasked with guarding the abandoned restaurant at night, yet he faces repercussions for vandalism that occurs during the day, a responsibility that seems misdirected. Additionally, Vanessa (Elizabeth Lail), a police officer, appears to have no other duties beyond spending her nights with Mike during his infrequent moments of wakefulness. Five Nights at Freddy’s boasts a substantial fan base, including numerous YouTubers who have produced extensive content about the game. The filmmakers opted to include several of these individuals in cameo roles. However, for viewers unfamiliar with these personalities, these cameos feel intrusive and detract from the narrative’s flow.
On a positive note, the filmmakers’ decision to utilize practical animatronic puppets for Freddy and his cohorts is commendable. This approach lends the film a tactile quality rarely seen in contemporary cinema. Another highlight is the presence of Matthew Lillard (Scream). While his role is relatively minor, each scene featuring him is a standout moment. Five Nights at Freddy’s marks a notable return for Lillard to the genre that initially brought him fame.
The UHD edition exhibits a pristine 4K transfer from the 6.5K Arri Alexa cameras used during filming. The inclusion of HDR-10 enhances the film’s visual depth. While much of the film unfolds in dimly lit environments, the lighting is skillfully executed, creating a striking contrast between light and shadow. The Dolby Atmos soundtrack is exceptional, delivering immersive and precisely positioned audio cues that heighten the suspense, particularly during the climactic confrontation, where the lower frequencies are effectively utilized.
Universal‘s track record regarding supplemental content has been underwhelming, with major releases such as Jurassic World: Dominion lacking any extras. Therefore, the inclusion of bonus material on this disc is a welcome surprise. While the three documentaries are brief, they provide an engaging glimpse behind the scenes.
In conclusion, while Five Nights at Freddy’s may exhibit some narrative shortcomings and occasional confusion, the film offers several redeeming qualities, and the high-quality UHD edition contributes to an improved overall experience.
SF Studios provided review copies for this assessment. The provision of materials does not influence our editorial independence. Our reviews are conducted impartially, with our readers and consumers as our primary focus.
