Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 review – poorly executed horror game is one of the worst of the year

The animatronic creatures from the Five Nights at Freddy's franchise, animated by ghostly forces, move with such unnatural stiffness that its difficult to believe they could travel quickly enough for a proper killing spree. This awkwardness mirrors the film's own clumsy pacing and transitions. It's hard not to notice how the movie stumbles through basic cinematic techniques that even the most poorly executed films manage to get right like switching between scenes or locations smoothly.

Take, for example, the moment when the film attempts to isolate a cruel science teacher (played by Wayne Knight) for a grisly fate at the hands of an animatronic. The scene cuts to Knight strolling down a school hallway during a science fair that stretches unreasonably into a Saturday evening. Hes on a phone call, talking about retrieving keys from his office details that serve no meaningful purpose to the plot. The keys, his office, and the person on the other end of the call hold no relevance to the narrative. They're just meaningless filler, inserted under the mistaken belief that they lend the film a sense of authenticity.

The films lack of urgency may be due to the success of the first Five Nights at Freddy's, which gained massive popularity in 2023. This sequel seems to assume that the first films charm automatically extends to its follow-up. The original movie, which was based on the beloved, lore-heavy video game series, followed Mike (Josh Hutcherson), his much younger sister Abby (Piper Rubio), and local officer Vanessa (Elizabeth Lail) as they uncovered the disturbing history behind a shuttered Chuck E. Cheese-style restaurant haunted by animatronic characters. One revelation was that Vanessa's father, William Afton (Matthew Lillard), had murdered local children and trapped their souls inside the animatronics, which include Freddy Fazbear, Chica, and Foxy.

The sequel delves deeper into Vanessa's past, with a 1982 prologue introducing a new animatronic, Marionette, and an additional ghostly entity to continue tormenting the characters. Abby, who grew fond of the possessed creatures from the first film, is drawn back into the sinister world by Marionette. The storyline bounces aimlessly between various indistinct locations, with little coherence or development. These locations, including the animatronics' escape from the restaurant and their actions in the outside world, are mere backdrops to scenes that could have been filled with tension but instead fall flat.

Director Emma Tammi misses several opportunities to create suspense. In one scene, which seems to mimic the gameplay of the original video game, Mike sits at a computer, clicking randomly through a security system in an attempt to deactivate the animatronics remotely. The film awkwardly explains that the wifi system in this abandoned restaurant is unusually strong, as if to justify this plot device. Its a weak explanation that doesn't even attempt to make sense within the 2002 setting.

The script, penned by game creator Scott Cawthon, is filled with nonsensical moments. The film mixes '80s aesthetics with an early 2000s timeline, while trying to evoke nostalgia for '90s classics like Jurassic Park (which, ironically, also features Knights character being killed by themed creatures) and Scream (where Lillard played a notorious serial killer). The film even casts both Lillard and Skeet Ulrich (known for his role in Scream) but never lets the two actors share a scene.

The plots new twistMarionette targeting neglectful parentsseems more like a weak imitation of A Nightmare on Elm Street without the horror or psychological depth. The film shows no interest in exploring complex themes or meaningful character experiences. Instead, it clings to references and superficial plot points, aiming more to maintain the franchises identity than to deliver a satisfying horror story.

Ultimately, Five Nights at Freddy's 2 doesnt bother with a proper resolution. Its ending is left open-ended, but based on its incoherent middle and beginning, its doubtful that audiences will care. The films target demographic, likely enamored with the games iconography and YouTuber cameos, might not mind the lack of a satisfying conclusion. However, those looking for a real horror experienceor even just a basic level of craftsmanshipmight wonder if its time for something better.

Much like the films souvenir popcorn bucket, which could very well be more entertaining than the movie itself, Five Nights at Freddy's 2 fails to deliver on its promise. The film, available in cinemas starting December 5, leaves viewers with a lingering sense of missed opportunity.

Author: Lucas Grant