Scott Cawthon is back at it again with a sequel to “Five Nights at Freddy’s” – only this time, more friends have come out to play.
“Five Nights at Freddy’s 2,” directed by Emma Tammi and written by Cawthon, occurs a year after the supernatural nightmare at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. Former security guard Mike Schmidt has kept the truth about the animatronics from his 11-year-old sister, Abby. Desperate to reconnect with Freddy, Bonnie and Chica, Abby sneaks out, triggering a series of terrifying events that uncover dark secrets about the history of Freddy’s.
As someone who played the game at a very young age, I found it gratifying to watch this film in theaters.
Cheers filled the room as surprise cameos and unexpected game elements appeared onscreen, bringing a smile to my face.
Cawthon’s cinematic depiction of the game brought fans and younger audiences together to relish the complex story that we were all raised with.
However, critics on Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a 12% rating. Some complained that the story is poorly crafted, lacks terrifying jump scares and features awkward performances. Non-fans who haven’t played the games said the writing feels nonsensical, with messy plot holes and references that don’t land.
It’s understandable why critics and non-fans feel this way. The jump scares aren’t very scary, and the plot moves at an unnatural pace, preventing audiences from processing information. The writing is also inconsistent with weak, unnatural dialogue and lore-heavy material that may confuse newcomers.
However, the film was genuinely entertaining and way better than the original. Cawthon really outdid himself this time by not only adding more stakes to each scene, but also playing outside of the box – which we’ll delve into later.
The cinematography also significantly improved through lighting, shadows and color grading, creating a sinister atmosphere.
The writing also improved significantly, with each scene more suspenseful and comedic than the first film. We also get a glimpse of the history behind the original Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, while also introducing new characters and villains to the screen.
This is where Cawthon stepped outside of the box to give the fans what they wanted. The opening sequence is an impactful, jaw-dropping scene that introduces the characters Charlotte and the marionette.
What also stood out was witnessing the toy animatronics outside interacting with people. This was unique since fans are so used to seeing them isolated.
Audiences also see William Afton dressed as the yellow rabbit (Spring Trap) luring kids away, which underscores the evil in his character. Speaking of which, it was great to see Matthew Lillard return as Afton.
Even though his character died in the first film, it would have been impactful to see him in more scenes with Vanessa Shelley, portrayed by Elizabeth Lail, considering she’s trying to recover from the trauma he caused.
However, Cawthon did a wonderful job adding more depth and character to Vanessa.
Performances by Josh Hutcherson as Mike Schmidt and Piper Rubio as Abby were also phenomenal. It was meaningful to see Mike’s character evolve through his trauma, given that he suffered a lot in the first film. He’s now grown into a more responsible and protective character who wants the best for Abby, hoping to move past everything that’s happened.
Cawthon even introduces some new characters like Henry Emily, the creator of the animatronics and co-founder of Fazbear Entertainment, played by the one and only Skeet Ulrich. It would have been mind-blowing to have Lillard and Ulrich in the same scene, considering that they’re the most iconic villain duo in the “Scream” franchise.
But who knows? Maybe it will happen in the future.
Another character introduced is Lisa, portrayed by McKenna Grace, the host of a paranormal documentary series that investigates haunted locations, including the original Fazbear location. Her character is underdeveloped, although something does happen to her that’s pretty unexpected, and it’s not what you think.
Overall, Cawthon listened to the fans and created something truly spectacular and entertaining.
For those hesitant to watch the film due to negative reviews, take each critique with a grain of salt. This movie isn’t for everyone. It isn’t meant to be a cinematic masterpiece – it’s meant to be a roller coaster ride and a nostalgic experience for those who grew up playing the games.
It might be complicated to also enjoy the film, considering that fans are knowledgeable about the lore, so here’s a helpful overview of the FNAF timeline posted by YouTuber FuhNaff for those trying to gain a deeper understanding of the game.
Anyway, definitely see “FNAF 2” in theaters – it’s a weirdly thrilling roller coaster ride of twists, turns with somewhat of a Billy and Stu reunion. (Be warned: the theater may include an enthusiastic teen audience.)
