On Dec. 5, the highly anticipated Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (FNAF 2) movie hit theaters, amassing over $30 million on opening night alone. Despite the first film’s shortcomings, fans embraced the new installment, but it repeats the same mistakes; heavy fan service and a thin, underdeveloped plotline. The film’s concepts, while intriguing, remain half-formed, leaving the confirmed sequel on uncertain footing.
Based on the FNAF and FNAF 2 games, the story picks up shortly after the events of the first film, where main cast Mike (Josh Hutcherson), Abby (Piper Rubio), and Vanessa (Elizabeth Lail),are forced to reconstruct their lives and leave the pizzeria in the past. However, when Abby is lured back into an abandoned pizzeria, a new foe, the Marionette, is unleashed, and the main cast must risk it all to protect the town from her and her army of animatronics.
At first glance, the plot feels innovative, upping the ante to an entire town instead of just one building. But, a poorly written antagonist and a lack of real danger deflates the stakes, leaving viewers indifferent. The Marionette’s motives are understandable, but her actions and end goal are underexplored, making her campaign hollow. Her lackeys, the toy animatronics, seem menacing but are weak and useless, failing to advance the Marionette’s goals whatsoever. Adding insult to injury, the film closes on an anticlimactic cliffhanger, a lazy and derivative rendition of the popular ending trope in modern films. Opening the door to a sequel while underdelivering throughout the runtime is disingenuous, leaving many skeptical about a potential part three.
No FNAF movie is complete without its fan service, and FNAF 2 does not disappoint. From strong YouTuber cameos to even referencing the FNAF beatboxing meme, the film packs in every reference longtime fans have clung to. It even continues the series tradition of using artist The Living Tombstone’s tracks as outros, giving credence to those that made the series special for over a decade. However, the fan service quality greatly overwhelms the narrative, cheapening the film to a nostalgia reel instead of a standalone film.
Despite the flaws, the series’s hallmark charm and distinct visual style remain intact. Cinematographer Lyn Moncrief’s consistent influence is undeniable, leaving no shot without purpose. The set dressing similarly matches the bar set by the first film, staying faithful to its source material while keeping each location fresh. One sequence even perfectly emulates the FNAF 2 game’s experience, highlighting the writers’ genuine passion and series knowledge. The film’s acme lies in its horror elements–a major improvement from the first film–, maintaining a consistently eerie and tense mood more congruent with the game series.
Through glaring weaknesses, the FNAF 2 film is carried by its visuals and a loyal fanbase, creating a niche but satisfactory sequel for the franchise. Going forward, though, the storyline requires more care to keep the series’ power from depleting. Fans alone cannot keep the series afloat, and only time will tell if the series can make a comeback.
