by Henry Pham
If you guys read my review for the first film, you must know that it’s like Chuck E. Cheese at night without children (or the Texas State Fair at night). Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 is based on the 2014 video game, and takes place one year after the events of the first film. It follows a former security guard Mike who has kept the truth from his younger 11-year-old sister, Abby, concerning the fate of her animatronic friends. When Abby sneaks out to reconnect with Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy, she sets into motion a terrifying series of events that reveal dark secrets about the true origin of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza.
Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games films) and Piper Rubio return as Mike and Abby Schmidt, joined by Elizabeth Lail (Lifetime/Netflix’s You) as Vanessa Shelly, a local police officer and daughter of William Afton (Matthew Lillard). Hutcherson and Rubio bring warmth and depth to their sibling roles, while Lail offers strong support and chemistry. The cast also features new additions with experience in major horror franchises, including Skeet Ulrich (Scream films), Wayne Knight (Jurassic Park), Mckenna Grace (Ghostbusters films), Teo Briones (Final Destination: Bloodlines), Freddy Carter (Netflix’s Shadow and Bone), and Megan Fox (Transformers), who voices Toy Chica.
Emma Tammi returns to direct the sequel, with Five Nights at Freddy’s creator Scott Cawthon returning to pen the script and Jason Blum serving as one of the film’s producers. The main focus of this sequel is the main character, who wants to get rid of the past. Mike and Abby are trying to move on from witnessing the animatronics to making new friends, while Vanessa is also trying to erase her past due to her relationship with her estranged, villainous father. The film introduces a new villainous character called Marionette, who controls Freddy Fazbear’s animatronics.
The story essentially follows the same formulaic structure, as the filmmakers sought to expand the Five Nights at Freddy’s movie franchise following the success of the first film. The plot of the sequel is underwhelming and muddled. While it tries so hard to provide a decent entertainment for the fans, it ultimately feels rushed and forced, especially in the climax and the second half of the film. Another issue is the character development of the new supporting characters, which lacks depth, as the supporting cast were underused. On the other hand, this sequel brings a whole variety of Five Nights at Freddy’s adventures, bringing excitement and pure anticipation for the fans to study.
I was surprised that this film was chosen to be released in December instead of October, which would fit the horror theme perfectly. Thus, it would have become a box office success regardless of the critics’ reviews. The film runs for 104 minutes. While Five Nights at Freddy’s 2expands the franchise for fans of the video game, it may not appeal to those unfamiliar with the source material. Fans will likely appreciate the sequel, but parents should note the PG-13 rating for its violent content, terror, and some language. The cast did a fine job, but Hutcherson, Rubio, and Lail managed to survive, even with all the gore, blood, and injuries they sustained throughout the plot. The film ends with a cliffhanger, suggesting a possible third installment, depending on box office performance.
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