#I used to binge watch the fnaf theory videos back when I was super into fnaf

[tamblerdraws]

I drew this during Matpat’s last episode

I’m not crying you’re crying

(Also at the end the multiple endings thing was awesome & really funny)

[declanowo]

31 Days of Horror - Day 25 - Five Nights at Freddy's

25/10/23

I remember the first time I decided to engage with Five Nights at Freddy’s as a series. I think it might be where my love of horror truly started, although I didn’t branch out into movies for a while longer, as far as I can remember. With my grandma, I had just dropped off a few presents to my cousin for his birthday, and when I got back, I decided to be brave and watch something scary; I believe this was just around the release of the fourth game, and so, the game’s popularity was at its highest - I was so very terrified of the idea of the series, but incredibly intrigued. Instead of watching someone playing the game, I turned to the Game Theory videos, where I binged them all, curled up on my sofa terrified. After watching one, I couldn’t help but watch more, and in that moment, I fell in love with the series. 

I have been excited for the Fnaf movie since inception, from the vague rumours, cancelled ideas and eventual release of the movie. While I will get into spoilers momentarily, I will say I loved this film, I was smiling widely for the majority of this film, excited by every little detail! I don’t think the film was perfect, there are a myriad of issues I had, but I can’t say I didn’t have an amazing time watching it. Upon leaving the film, I was still deeply excited about it, and found myself knowing it would be received decisively - which it appears I was correct about - but I think for newer people, or fans of all areas of the franchise, not just the games, it is a very pleasant and fun film! 

Okay, onto the film itself. The plot takes elements from the first three games, mostly the first, with a few characters plucked from elsewhere. However, the film tells its own unique story, which I enjoyed a lot! I remember before the film came out watching as people speculated about how Mike and William didn’t recognise one another when they first met, which of course was simply explained by this being a completely different timeline - these characters aren’t related. Instead, it explores its own story, using the games as a framework for telling it! A while back, I had an interview for a uni, where they asked me what my favourite film adaptation of a novel was. Upon reflection, we discussed how the best adaptations rise from doing something unique with the source material - why watch the film, when instead you could simply read the book that does everything beat by beat the same? Therefore, I believe that regardless of what the outcome is, and how fans react, this is a good adaptation. 

Most of the characters in this are great - our lead, Mike, is portrayed in a very fun way by Josh Hutcherson, and I found him to be an incredibly compelling protagonist, his story slowly unravels across the film, and he was a believable character for sure! I especially loved his relationships with other characters, mainly his sister as portrayed by Piper Rubio and Vanessa, played by Elizabeth Lail. Everything about him was great, and I enjoyed the vibrant dream sequences he endures, alongside the turmoil he is forced into. Mike is obsessive, he’s lost in dreams that his relationship with reality grows to be warped, he loses track of what really matters to him, and it makes him all the more interesting. 

Another aspect of the film I loved was the animatronics. Although I have read some complaints about them, I found them to look amazing, their dance sequences especially, and the score that accompanies it is super good! They are incredibly menacing when they need to be, yet at other times they are endearing! To me, they shined both at being appealing and scary, and their movements really sold me on that! Films such as Willy’s Wonderland and The Banana Splits Movie have animatronics that look like people in suits, in contrast this film makes them feel inhuman, their movements are robotic and eerie, there is an unpredictability to them. One sequence in particular shows them as being kind, they build a fort together, and it helps for the audience to drop our guards somewhat. I have seen a whole heap of criticism for this sequence, with people suggesting the silly and campy tone to it ruins the entire film, but to me, it shows a unique side to them that reflects what they are - animatronic mascots designed to entice children. Duality is seeped into them, and they are creatures that have no control over themselves, they are both children, and horrific murderous ghosts. 

In contrast to the aforementioned sequence, I think the scene where we watch a group attempt to trash the pizzeria, only to be picked off by the animatronics is very scary. Honestly, my only complaint with it is that I wish we saw more stuff like this in the film. Its use of shadows is scary, it makes us dread looking around the frame, it creates a deep sense of dread and fear. All of these kills rule too - it allows them to get creative, without being too graphic in what they show, instead, much like the games, it leaves the rest to our imaginations, which is likely scarier than what they could do! Each animatronic of the main four gets to shine here, and it gives them all personality that I adore! Like I said, I just kind of wish we got to see more stuff like this - a rare time I wish we saw a longer film actually, it feels like there is so much potential, but I feel this only highlights my love for it! Wanting more can only be a good thing. 

While watching, I was constantly excited about the set design, from the props to, of course, the pizzeria set itself. It felt so lived in and real, it was ancient and dark, while bearing the nostalgic flare and charm that is needed for the place! Every time we returned to it, I could hardly contain my excitement. 

I want to end on a positive note, so I feel like going through some issues I had now is good! For one, I wish we saw more of Golden Freddy, and I guess just the other animatronics doing stuff too! I loved everything we got, from the scary to the funny, but it only left me hungry for more! Everything about them worked for me, and I guess it just felt like they were underutilised at times. 

Some plot points also felt like they were hurtled through - I imagine when writing this film, a lot of issues arose as far as the lore of the games, and how it should be incorporated. There is a point where you reach a crossroads; retelling aspects like having children haunting the suits is a boring reveal that most people know, but the characters don’t, so how can it be integrated in a way that the characters understanding makes sense, but the audience doesn’t get bored of the drawn out spiel. Ultimately, I just felt like it didn’t take long for Mike to get on board, which isn’t inherently bad, but I felt like it all fell into place too quickly. Like I said, I get why! They did what they could with such a tricky dilemma. 

Vanessa is an interesting character. Her design in the games is the most interesting thing about her - the bunny suit is instantly recognisable, and distracts from the sometimes confused and muddied character. I still like her a lot. In this film, they took a different direction, which I liked! It feels like in a sequel they could still follow through with her bunny form, which could work similarly to how Afton controls the animatronics. I did also enjoy the subversion of the twist, where William is her father instead, and I was pretty proud of myself for theorising about it when we first met her! However, she sometimes still felt kind of one note and bland, I can’t quite explain it! She has so many interesting pieces, yet I feel the mystery of who she is sometimes took away from her character. 

Finally, I felt like there was an overuse of the kid actors, rather than the animatronics! I get what they were going for, and I enjoyed them in the dream sequences which felt creepypasta inspired in a really good way! However, it does sometimes take away from the tense atmosphere for me when instead of the animatronics, we are staring at a group of children. I think I wouldn’t mind so much if there were some more sequences of the animatronics killing, but alas, it is what it is! Now onto a positive, one I have had to sit on a lot! That being Springtraps depiction. I love the character a lot, he is one of the best looking animatronics in my opinion, at least, his first appearance was! In the novels, which I have only read snippets of, I found the way he was written to not be very scary or interesting, with his dialogue being clunky and pretty bland! Here, we also see Springtrap talking, however, for me, it works here. Likely, this comes from better dialogue from him, and the amazing acting by Matthew Lillard, who I love so much and was very excited to see in this film. I am a huge fan of Scooby-Doo and Scream, so when it was announced he was playing William Afton, I couldn’t wait! And yeah, he puts on his crazy performance, and I loved it a lot. Not to mention how amazing I found Springtrap to look here! Once again, I just wish there was more of him! I enjoy his presence being limited, sure, it makes him scarier! The whole film he is built up as this mythical figure, and his final reveal is terrifying, but it didn’t feel like enough for me. Maybe this is just my desire for more Matthew Lillard always, but I would have enjoyed seeing him more. Although, his acting as her stabs his daughter is haunting, I can’t wait to see it again when it releases on streaming, because wow. There is a possibility that this William Afton is my favourite, but I’m not too sure just yet. 

As I’ve been writing this, I’ve watched more reviews pour in for the film, a lot bad, some good, and I find myself hoping that as more people watch it, they too will enjoy this. At the very least, people enjoy it enough for a sequel to be made, because wow I am desperate for a sequel! This film leaves so many open doors and possibilities, and I would be delighted for it to get more praise as well as another instalment. I almost feel like this is a film that will see a renaissance in a few years, where people will fall in love with it after knowing what to expect more. I don’t want to dwell on what others are thinking, because I loved it! This is one I am definitely wanting a physical copy of, and I can’t wait to rewatch it again soon. 

9/10