Analyzing the Five Nights at Freddy’s Lore: Contrasting the Game and Movie Versions
Dive into the intriguing world of Five Nights at Freddy’s as we explore the captivating differences between the game and movie lore Unravel the secrets of this beloved franchise and discover the unique perspectives offered by both mediums Get ready for a thrilling journey into the depths of FNAF lore!
Discover all the essential insights on the distinctions between the game and movie lore of the acclaimed video game franchise, Five Nights at Freddy's. Scheduled for an October release, the film makers have dedicated ample time to cater to the passionate fan base.
Based on the film's synopsis, a security guard with personal issues starts his employment at Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria. However, he quickly discovers that surviving the night shift at Freddy's will not be an effortless task.
While the movie remains faithful to the storyline of the video game, there are certain noteworthy deviations. Here, we will delve into the disparities between the lore of the game and that of the movie in Five Nights at Freddy's. Beware - spoilers are imminent!
Five Nights at Freddy’s game lore
Scott Cawthon
The primary source of the Five Nights at Freddy's video game lore originates from the initial four games, before the franchise branches out into more specialized releases.
In the first installment of Five Nights at Freddy's, players are introduced to the main narrative that is later portrayed in the movie adaptation. The Freddy's establishment has deteriorated due to the actions of William Afton, a serial murderer who abducted five children. The game explicitly reveals Afton's involvement, while in the movie, this information is kept hidden until the end. The characters Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy, as well as the layout of the restaurant and the security office, remain consistent between the game and the movie.
Five Nights at Freddy's 2 introduces Balloon Boy and includes the original game's animatronics. The minigames provide players with additional information about the children's murders, ultimately revealing the enigmatic figure known as 'Purple Guy.' However, the movie does not mention Purple Guy or the retired characters that are replaced by the end of the game.
Five Nights at Freddy's 3 brings the focus back to the movie lore, as the 'Springtrap' animatronic appears 30 years after the events of the first game. Springtrap, also known as Yellow Rabbit, plays a significant role in the film and contains the spirit of Afton, who is later revealed to be Purple Guy. In the movie, Afton is still alive and assumes the identity of careers advisor Steve Raglan (portrayed by Matthew Lillard) in the opening scenes.
Other video game releases
- Five Nights at Freddy’s 4 completely changes the lore by introducing a new location. In this installment, players assume the role of a child who must navigate their bedroom and corridors using a flashlight to check for the animatronics. The game also introduces a traumatized crying child who experienced the tragic “Bite of ’83,” where an animatronic accidentally killed a child, resulting in our character developing an extreme fear of them. While Abby’s (Piper Rubio) story doesn't match this particular setting and the storyline is not featured.From here, Five Nights at Freddy’s video game lore extends into releases beyond the pizzeria.
Sister Location is a game that delves into the origins of the animatronics featured in Five Nights at Freddy’s. It reveals that Afton, the creator, is believed to have imbued his daughter’s soul into a smaller animatronic named Circus Baby. This took place before the Fazbear restaurant chain was established, but there are possible connections to Circus Baby as Easter eggs. Interestingly, the movie portrays Afton's daughter as Vanessa instead of Elizabeth, which happens to be the actress' real name.
In Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria Simulator, players assume the role of Afton's son, Michael. The animatronics have deteriorated, leading to the creation of scrap versions. One of the most infamous scrap animatronics is Scraptrap, the modified version of Springtrap. It remains uncertain if Scraptrap will make an appearance in future installments. Notably, the movie does not mention Michael's last name, raising questions about whether he is Michael Schmidt, as credited, or Michael Afton.
Five Nights at Freddy’s movie lore
Universal Pictures
The Five Nights at Freddy’s movie lore introduces a significant divergence in the storyline involving the characters Mike and Abby, which is completely absent in the video games.
Mike assumes the role of an unsuspecting security guard, but carries with him a troubled family background that remains unexplored in the video game. After losing his previous job, Mike becomes apprehensive about providing for his sister Abby, whom he has sole custody of. Through discussions, Mike subtly hints that their parents are no longer alive, but they have an aunt named Jane whom they both harbor disdain for (portrayed by Mary Stuart Masteron). In the movie, Jane takes legal action against Mike in an attempt to gain custody of Abby, despite neither Mike nor Abby desiring this outcome. Jane ends up approaching Abby's babysitter, Max (played by Kat Conner Sterling), and persuades her to vandalize the pizzeria as a means of getting Mike fired. Max, along with her brother and some friends, carries out this destructive act. Unfortunately, all four individuals meet their demise at the hands of Freddy and the other animatronic characters.
In the movie, the story of the ghost children aligns with the lore of the Five Nights at Freddy’s video game. However, there is an additional element. When Mike was younger, he witnessed his brother Garrett being kidnapped by an unidentified attacker. Throughout the movie, Mike has recurring dreams about his brother and is determined to uncover the identity of the assailant. These dreams also feature the ghost children who eventually attack Mike and demand Abby in exchange for information about Garrett. Initially, Mike agrees, but later regrets his decision and resolves to save Abby. Abby, on the other hand, believes that the ghost children are her friends, as she has drawn them in her pictures before. Both Mike and Abby are deceived by the children, but they manage to survive in the end. An important character in the movie is police officer Vanessa, who plays a key role in trying to rescue Mike from the impending danger. Vanessa possesses extensive knowledge about the abandoned pizzeria and its secrets. Later, it is revealed that she is the daughter of the Yellow Rabbit, who is actually William Afton. Afton had previously appeared in the film as Steve Raglan, Mike's career advisor.
Five Nights at Freddy’s is in UK cinemas now, while the movie hits Peacock and US theaters this Friday, October 27, 2023. For more on the film, check out the below articles:
