Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023) is the long-awaited live-action adaptation of the wildly popular video game franchise created by Scott Cawthon. Directed by Emma Tammi, the film takes the eerie charm and hidden lore of the games and transforms it into a psychological horror-thriller about trauma, guilt, and the monsters we create—both human and animatronic.
Detailed Summary
The Haunted Job Offer
Mike Schmidt (played by Josh Hutcherson) is a troubled man dealing with past trauma. He’s haunted by recurring dreams of his little brother Garrett’s abduction—a mystery that defines his entire life. After losing his job, Mike is offered night security work at an abandoned restaurant: Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, a once-popular family entertainment venue now long closed.
He reluctantly accepts the position, encouraged by career counselor Steve Raglan (Matthew Lillard), who seems unusually insistent that Mike take the job.
First Nights at Freddy’s
When Mike starts his night shifts, he immediately senses something is off. The restaurant is frozen in time, filled with creepy, decaying animatronic mascots: Freddy Fazbear, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy. The first few nights seem uneventful—until he begins experiencing strange phenomena.
Mike’s dreams become more vivid. He sees ghostly children who seem to know details about Garrett’s disappearance. They lure him deeper into the mystery of the pizzeria.
Abby and Vanessa Enter the Scene
Mike’s younger sister, Abby (Piper Rubio), becomes involved when his custody is threatened by their manipulative Aunt Jane. Mike, desperate to protect Abby, starts bringing her to Freddy’s during his shifts.
They soon meet Officer Vanessa Shelly (Elizabeth Lail), a local police officer who seems unusually familiar with the restaurant’s dark past. Vanessa warns Mike to “stay out of certain rooms” but avoids telling him why.
The Animatronics Come Alive
It’s revealed that the animatronics are possessed by the spirits of murdered children. They see Abby as one of them—a child who can join their “family.” The scenes where the animatronics move are both nostalgic and terrifying, blending practical effects and puppetry with subtle CGI.
Mike eventually learns that these spirits were all victims of a man in a yellow bunny suit—known to fans as “The Yellow Rabbit” or William Afton.
The Shocking Revelation
In the final act, Vanessa confesses the truth: William Afton is her father. He’s the man responsible for killing the children and trapping their souls inside the animatronics. The biggest twist comes when we realize that Steve Raglan, Mike’s job counselor, is William Afton himself, played chillingly by Matthew Lillard.
He has been manipulating Mike all along, bringing him to Freddy’s as part of his twisted experiment to lure more victims.
Movie Ending
In the climactic showdown, Afton dons his signature Spring Bonnie suit—a malfunctioning animatronic costume used to lure children. Mike and Vanessa attempt to stop him as he tries to make Abby one of his next victims. Abby, however, uses her drawings to communicate the truth to the possessed animatronics, showing them that Afton is their true killer.
The animatronics turn on Afton, attacking him and forcing him into the Springtrap suit, which malfunctions and kills him in gruesome fashion as the mechanical parts crush his body—a direct nod to the game’s lore.
Vanessa is badly injured but survives. Mike takes Abby home, finally freeing himself from the trauma of Garrett’s disappearance. The pizzeria is left abandoned once again, the animatronics silent—for now.
In the final moments, the camera pans across Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, lingering on the flickering lights and faint sounds of movement, suggesting that the spirits may not be at rest after all.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
Yes. There is a mid-credits scene featuring YouTuber CoryxKenshin (who also has a cameo in the movie) being driven away by a taxi driver (played by MatPat, another major YouTuber in the FNaF community). It’s a humorous nod to the fanbase and doesn’t affect the main story.
There is no post-credits scene after the end credits, but the faint sound of a child’s laughter can be heard—a subtle hint that the story might continue.
Type of Movie
Five Nights at Freddy’s is a psychological horror film with mystery and supernatural elements, blending tension and nostalgia. It’s not just a slasher or jump-scare fest; it’s a character-driven story about loss and guilt wrapped in the haunting world of animatronic horror.
Cast
- Josh Hutcherson as Mike Schmidt
- Elizabeth Lail as Vanessa Shelly
- Piper Rubio as Abby Schmidt
- Matthew Lillard as Steve Raglan / William Afton
- Mary Stuart Masterson as Aunt Jane
- Kat Conner Sterling as Max
- Lucas Grant as Garrett
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by The Newton Brothers, who create a moody, synth-driven soundscape mixing eerie ambience with nostalgic tones. The film also features the iconic Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza jingle, and subtle musical cues from the original game soundtrack that long-time fans will recognize instantly.
Filming Locations
Filming took place primarily in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Covington, chosen for their ability to recreate the eerie, small-town Americana feel of the original game setting. The abandoned restaurant set was constructed practically, with animatronics designed by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, adding realism and texture to every scene.
Awards and Nominations
While not a major awards contender, the film received nominations and recognition for its practical effects, set design, and fan engagement, particularly at horror film festivals and fan-voted events.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- The animatronics were built by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, using a mix of robotics and puppeteering.
- Josh Hutcherson reportedly played the FNaF games for research and spoke to fans online for insight into Mike’s psychology.
- Matthew Lillard signed a multi-picture deal, confirming he’ll return in sequels.
- Director Emma Tammi worked closely with Scott Cawthon to keep the film canonically accurate to the game’s lore.
Inspirations and References
The movie is based directly on the Five Nights at Freddy’s video game series by Scott Cawthon. Its lore and tone also draw inspiration from:
- 1980s haunted arcade aesthetics
- The urban legend of Chuck E. Cheese-style animatronic mascots
- Classic horror films like Child’s Play and A Nightmare on Elm Street
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
Some scenes were cut for pacing, including a longer version of the dream sequences and more dialogue between Mike and Vanessa about Afton’s crimes. Early drafts reportedly included a darker ending where Vanessa didn’t survive, but this was changed to allow for sequels.
Book Adaptations and Differences
While the movie draws from the game series, it also borrows elements from the FNaF: The Silver Eyes novel trilogy. The main difference is that Mike’s backstory and relationship with Vanessa are original to the film, whereas the books focus on a different protagonist, Charlie.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Mike’s first encounter with the animatronics during a power outage.
- Abby drawing the murdered children and showing them to Freddy.
- William Afton revealing himself and suiting up in the Spring Bonnie costume.
- The final confrontation where the animatronics take revenge.
Iconic Quotes
- William Afton: “I always come back.”
- Vanessa: “You were chosen for a reason, Mike.”
- Mike: “I just wanted to protect her.”
- Freddy (recorded line): “It’s me.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Posters in the restaurant reference the Sister Location game.
- A faint phone ringing in one scene mimics the “Phone Guy” calls from the first game.
- The license plate on Vanessa’s car reads “1987”—a nod to The Bite of ’87.
- The “Cupcake” animatronic from FNaF 2 appears briefly in the background.
Trivia
- Matthew Lillard’s suit malfunction scene was inspired directly by game lore.
- Scott Cawthon, the game’s creator, served as co-writer and producer.
- The movie’s timeline sits roughly parallel to the events of FNaF 1.
- Despite a mixed critical reception, it became Blumhouse’s highest-grossing film of 2023.
Why Watch?
Because it’s both a love letter to fans and an accessible horror story for newcomers. The film captures the eerie magic of the games while expanding the lore into something cinematic. It’s part nostalgia, part nightmare—and all animatronic mayhem.
Director’s Other Works
- The Wind (2018)
- The Left Right Game (2020) – podcast adaptation
- Blood Moon (2021) – short
Recommended Films for Fans
- The Banana Splits Movie (2019)
- Willy’s Wonderland (2021)
- Child’s Play (1988)
- The Black Phone (2021)
- The Conjuring (2013)
- Annabelle Comes Home (2019)
