Recently fired and desperate for work, a troubled young man haunted by the unsolved disappearance of his younger brother, takes a position as a night security guard at an abandoned theme restaurant, only to realize that when the night shift starts, the nightmare begins. A film by Emma Tammi, starring Josh Hutcherson, Piper Rubio, Elizabeth Lail, Mary Stuart Masterson, and Matthew Lillard.

A supernatural horror film based on Scott Cawthon’s eponymous video game franchise, which has continued to captivate audiences worldwide since its creation in 2014. The main series comprises nine video games set in locations affiliated with the fictional pizza chain Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, named after its animatronic mascot Freddy Fazbear. In most games, players control night-shift employees who must use security cameras, lights, doors, and vents to defend themselves against animatronic characters that roam the locations and turn hostile at night. As of 2023, the series has sold over 33.5 million units worldwide.

Haunted by the unsolved disappearance of his younger brother a decade ago, Mike’s past catches up with him when he is fired from his mall security job after assaulting a man he mistakenly believes to be a kidnapper.

After their mother’s passing, Mike (Josh Hutcherson) assumes responsibility for raising his younger sister Abby (Piper Rubio), while their aunt Jane (Mary Stuart Masterson) and her lawyer Doug (Michael P. Sullivan) attempt to gain custody of Abby, claiming that Mike is unfit to care for a mentally ill child. However, Dr. Lillian (Tadasay Young) believes that Mike is more important to Abby than he gives himself credit for.

Career counselor Steve Raglan (Matthew Lillard) expresses interest in Mike after learning his last name and offers him a night security job at Freddy Fazbear’s, an abandoned theme restaurant. Though Mike initially declines the job due to recurring nightmares about his lost brother, he reconsiders when he realizes he needs the money.

On his first night, Mike succumbs to sleep and dreams of the day his younger brother Garrett (Lucas Grant), was abducted by an unknown man in an unmarked black car. As he turns, he encounters five enigmatic children standing behind him. He attempts to question them about the kidnapper’s detail, but they swiftly flee.

On the second night, Mike’s dream repeats itself, but this time he catches one of the children, who turns to attack him with screaming, bloodshot eyes. Mike awakens to find Vanessa Shelly (Elizabeth Lail), a local police officer, visiting him. She has stopped by to check on the new security guard, and she notices that Mike’s arm is bleeding. She helps him treat his wounds and gives him a tour of the restaurant, claiming that it was her favorite place as a child. She then tells him that five children went missing from the restaurant in the 1980s and are presumed dead, but their bodies have never been found. This is why the restaurant was shut down.

The film squanders precious time on backstory and character development that does not advance the plot. Aside from its two-minute gruesome introductory scene depicting the fate of the previous security guard, there is virtually no suspense or thrills for the next 40 minutes. The repetitive nightmarish dreams become increasingly annoying, revealing little new information each time. Protagonist Mike devolves into a one-dimensional character obsessed with his tragic past involving his younger brother.

While the film boasts a handful of noteworthy death scenes, this does not compensate for the viewer’s trudge through two hours of forgettable plot. The filmmaker’s intent remains elusive, as it is perplexing to watch these animatronic puppets fail to reach their iconic potential.

Five Nights at FREDDY’S is scheduled to be released theatrically in the United States and on Peacock streaming service, by Universal Pictures on 27 October 2023.