Comparing the Five Nights at Freddy's Movie to the Video Game

Article Key Points

In contrast to the original game, the Five Nights at Freddy's movie emphasizes its intricate mythology and explores the darker aspects of humanity, moving beyond mere jump scares and fear tactics.

The movie draws upon various elements from the franchise to create its narrative, going beyond the limited material in the first game.

Although there are noticeable discrepancies in character specifics and how the haunted mascots are depicted, the film remains faithful to the overarching story of the games and books, skillfully condensing multiple installments into a coherent plot.

The much-awaited cinematic adaptation of Five Nights at Freddy's has finally premiered, delighting fans who had patiently waited for almost a decade. Created by Scott Cawthon, this franchise has enjoyed immense success with a lineup comprising 13 games, 15 novels, and 11 graphic novels. Director Emma Tammi, along with the writing team that included Scott Cawthon himself, had a wealth of resources at their disposal to craft this movie.

In a departure from the first video game in the series, the film focuses less on the sheer terror that compels viewers to cover their eyes during the most frightening scenes. Instead, it delves deep into the lore that binds all the games together. This shift partially sidelines the supernatural elements of the franchise and instead centers on the darkness within humanity, exploring how horrifying people can be on their own. This is just one of the differences that sets this movie apart.

What Happens in the First Five Nights at Freddy's Video Game?

The initial games in the FNAF series featured simple gameplay combined with immersive scares. They created a sense of impending fear by making players frantically switch between security cameras and close doors, only to release that tension with well-timed jump scares. As the series progressed, the gameplay evolved to include more open-world environments like Security Breach. However, the first game was rather basic in terms of gameplay.

In the first game, players were confined to a security office with control over two doors and multiple CCTV cameras for monitoring. Exploring beyond the office was not an option, and not much was revealed about the venue's backstory, aside from a few answering machine recordings at the start of each shift. This lack of material didn't offer much for a movie adaptation. It wasn't until the second game, with the introduction of mini-games and the character known as the "Purple Man," that things became truly interesting. The movie would need to gather information from various sources to construct its storyline.

How is the Movie Different?

The movie adaptation of Five Nights at Freddy's sets itself apart from the original game by introducing a continuous narrative. While the game subtly hints at the underlying story, the movie takes a different approach by providing a complete backstory for Freddy Fazbear's. Rather than just offering hints, the movie presents the entire background of the establishment, gradually revealing more details until reaching a climactic point, similar to many other films.

William Afton never made an appearance in the first FNAF game and his true form was never revealed in any of the games. However, the movie not only features Afton in physical form (played by Matthew Lillard), but it also showcases the traumatic event of his death transforming him into the terrifying Springtrap animatronic. The introduction of Springtrap in the Five Nights at Freddy's film is a departure from the games where the character only appears in Five Nights at Freddy's 3. This means that fans had the opportunity to see Springtrap in all its magnificence, regardless of whether or not the movie receives a sequel.

The film also alters various character details, such as naming Afton's daughter Vanessa instead of Elizabeth. This change could be a subtle reference to the antagonistic security guard Vanessa in FNAF: Security Breach. In addition, the series of games reveal that Michael Schmidt is actually Michael Afton, the son of William Afton. Although this twist could potentially still happen in a sequel to the movie, it seems unlikely since the audience saw Schmidt's parents in flashback dreams depicting the day his brother went missing.

The significant difference in the video games is that Mike is not William Afton's son. In the FNAF game, Mike knew who his father was and hoped to put an end to his murderous actions by becoming a security guard at Freddy Fazbear's. In contrast, Michael Schmidt, the main character in the movie, takes on the job to provide for himself and his younger sister, while also trying to retain custody of her from their unsupportive aunt.

The movie takes a different approach to the haunted mascots compared to the game. In the game, they are portrayed as malevolent and unforgiving entities, whereas in the movie, there is a scene where Mike and his sister build a fort with them, diminishing much of the fear they are meant to evoke. Additionally, the use of security cameras, although expected to be less prevalent in the movie, could have been utilized more effectively to heighten tension.

How are the Five Nights at Freddy's Game and Movie Similar?

The movie faithfully adheres to the narrative of the games and books, despite their differences. It centers around a young man named Mike, who becomes a security guard at Freddy Fazbear's Pizza. The venue is populated with animatronics possessed by the souls of murdered children, and they even inflict harm on unsuspecting visitors. Moreover, the root cause of the murderous animatronic mascots is William Afton.

This movie goes beyond a mere adaptation of the first FNAF game. It combines elements from various games and books in the franchise to create a cohesive and well-structured storyline. The incorporation of narrative details from each installment in the franchise is commendable, evident by the overwhelmingly positive reception from audiences. It is clear that the director and crew have successfully mastered the art of adapting Five Nights at Freddy's.

Five Nights at Freddy's

Five Nights at Freddy's has garnered widespread acclaim as a spine-chilling first-person survival horror game with a captivating resource management aspect. Developed by Scott Cawthorn, it swiftly rose to popularity due to its unnerving animatronic adversaries and heart-stopping jumpscares. This game breathes life into a host of well-known characters such as Freddy Fazbear, Chica, Foxy, Bonnie, and more, resulting in unparalleled success, numerous spinoffs, and a devoted fan base.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I am thrilled to see the Five Nights at Freddy's franchise come to life on the big screen. The movie captures the essence of the beloved video game while also offering a unique and thrilling experience.

The film delves into the intricate mythology of the franchise and explores the darker aspects of humanity, moving beyond mere jump scares and fear tactics. The movie also draws upon various elements from the franchise to create its narrative, going beyond the limited material in the first game. While there are some noticeable discrepancies in character specifics and how the haunted mascots are depicted, the film remains faithful to the overarching story of the games and books, skillfully condensing multiple installments into a coherent plot. Overall, I believe that the Five Nights at Freddy's movie is a successful adaptation that will appeal to fans of the franchise and newcomers alike. I highly recommend checking it out!