Decoding the Conclusion of Five Nights at Freddy’s: Will Josh Hutcherson Be the Hero?

Editor's Note: The following contains spoilers for Five Nights at Freddy's.

The Big Picture

The Five Nights at Freddy's movie adaptation attempts to capture the game's eerie ambiance but falls short in seamlessly linking certain aspects of the story.

Josh Hutcherson portrays Mike Schmidt, who deals with the dual challenge of safeguarding his sister from their malevolent aunt and working as a security guard at Freddy Fazbear's Pizza.

The Yellow Rabbit is revealed to be William Afton, the owner of the pizza place who enticed and murdered children. In the end, Mike and his sister, aided by the possessed animatronics, succeed in defeating him. Fans can now embrace their Freddy Fazbear figures and rejoice as the long-awaited Five Nights at Freddy's movie adaptation arrives in theaters (and on Peacock). It has been nearly ten years since the release of the original game, captivating players with its simple mechanics and the chilling risk of being slain by towering animatronics in the darkness. While the movie attempts to capture this essence, it falls short when it comes to certain aspects of the narrative, leaving minimal opportunities for viewers to ponder and make connections later on. Nevertheless, the story of Mike Schmidt, portrayed by Josh Hutcherson, is filled with ups, downs, and twists. Let's delve into the captivating journey that awaits.

What Is 'Five Nights at Freddy's About?

Image via Universal Pictures

On his second night as a security guard at Freddy Fazbear's Pizza, Mike encounters Vanessa, a knowledgeable cop who visits his house the following day in an attempt to persuade him to quit. However, Mike is determined to keep his job to demonstrate his ability to care for and support his younger sister Abby, and prevent her from being taken away by their wicked Aunt Jane. Aunt Jane, hellbent on separating Abby from Mike, plots to have him fired by enlisting a group of individuals, including Abby's babysitter Max, to cause chaos at Freddy's. Unfortunately for them, the animatronics guarding the establishment end up killing all of these hired goons. Unbeknownst to many, these animatronics are haunted and hostile, housing the spirits of five children who perished at Freddy's in the 1980s. Vanessa enlightens Mike about this haunting and warns him against bringing Abby to work after he makes the ill-fated decision to do so on the third night, as the animatronics now have a desire to transform Abby into one of them.

In the beginning of the third act, Mike is compelled to rely on Aunt Jane to look after Abby while he goes to work. However, he fails to turn up at Freddy's with Abby, resulting in a vicious attack from the animatronics. The Freddy animatronic even goes to Mike's house in a bid to seize Abby, potentially causing Aunt Jane's demise in the process. Mike later regains consciousness at a police facility, where Vanessa tends to his injuries and discloses that Freddy's is actually owned by William Afton. Afton, responsible for the children's deaths in the 1980s, disembodied them and concealed their remains inside the animatronics. Vanessa further reveals that the animatronics' weakness is electricity, while dropping the bombshell that she herself is Afton's daughter. Enraged by this revelation, Mike rushes back to the restaurant.

When he arrives, the final battle commences, with four animatronics turning against him and one capturing Abby and bringing her to their murder room. Mike manages to reach them and saves Abby using his taser. He apologizes for neglecting her in the past and promises to take better care of her from now on. However, this heartwarming moment is abruptly disrupted when Mike is assaulted by the leader of the animatronics, the Yellow Rabbit. Unveiling a shocking twist, it is revealed that the Yellow Rabbit is operated by none other than Afton himself, the career counselor (Matthew Lillard) who initially offered Mike the job. Afton taunts Mike, but his actions are halted by Vanessa, who does the right thing and turns against him, even though she is stabbed in the process. Afton resurrects the animatronics once again, but their rampage is eventually stopped when Abby communicates through a drawing, revealing that the Yellow Rabbit is the one who killed them in the past, not their friend. The animatronics turn against Afton, causing the springs within his suit to malfunction and painfully penetrate his flesh, trapping him inside forever – an identical fate to that which he inflicted upon the children.

Who Is the Yellow Rabbit?

Image Via Universal

The Yellow Rabbit, also known as William Afton, not only owns Freddy Fazbear's Pizza, but there is a darker side to him. During the 1980s, he used the restaurant as a trap to lure and murder children, hiding their bodies inside the animatronic suits that would later become inhabited by their spirits. To safeguard himself, he enlisted the help of his daughter, Vanessa, who became a police officer and turned a blind eye to the sinister activities at Freddy's. Vanessa patrolled the area, keeping a close watch on the unfolding events and becoming knowledgeable about the establishment and its supernatural inhabitants.

Over the years, Afton continuously killed security guards while wearing his animatronic suit, accompanied by the possessed animatronics that the children possessed. This created a eerie and unsettling atmosphere. To ensure a steady stream of victims, he assumed the identity of Steve Raglan, a career counselor who directed desperate job seekers to Freddy's, just like he did with Mike. It is worth noting how he stumbled upon Mike's profile and last name, which reminded him of the events that took place in Nebraska many years ago. Later, in the third act, Afton confronts Mike and confesses to being the one who abducted young Garrett. However, this confession raises confusion, as it implies that the city where the movie takes place is not close to Nebraska.

These connections directly link to the lore of Five Nights at Freddy's. Firstly, Afton, also known as Springtrap, is the main antagonist who dresses as the Yellow Rabbit and becomes trapped in the suit's spring locks, mirroring what happens in the movie. Secondly, he is revealed to be the real father of the protagonist, Mike Schmidt. This becomes more evident as the player progresses through the story and subsequent games. In the movie, this is adapted by introducing Vanessa (who is also a character in the games but a completely different one) as his daughter. If future installments are planned for the franchise, this could become a significant plot point.

What Happens at the End of 'Five Nights at Freddy's?

Image via Universal Pictures

The following day, Mike and Abby return home safely and are more united than ever. They make a stop at the hospital where Vanessa is in a coma, recovering from being stabbed. Mike expresses his gratitude for her assistance in bringing down her father and assures her that he will be by her side when she wakes up. Abby is concerned about her animatronic friends, but Mike confidently assures her that something will be done to address the situation. Meanwhile, at Freddy's, the Yellow Rabbit seethes with anger inside a storage room, while the vengeful ghost of Grant Feely, the leader of the children, glares at him before the credits roll.

Five Nights at Freddy's

Release Date October 27, 2023Director Emma TammiCast Josh Hutcherson, Matthew Lillard, Elizabeth Lail, Mary Stuart MastersonRating PG-13Runtime 110 minutesGenres Horror