Shivangi Sinha
‘Five Nights at Freddy’s‘ revolves around Mike Schmidt, a former mall security guard who, after losing his job, reluctantly takes on a night guard role at the now-defunct Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. His motivation is to provide for his younger sister, Abby. However, he soon discovers that the establishment holds secrets beyond his initial expectations.
Directed by Emma Tammi, the film holds a narrative of supernatural terror as the restaurant’s animatronic mascots come to life, and Mike is faced with the challenge of ensuring the safety of both himself and his sister. In the film, the character of Mike is portrayed by Josh Hutcherson, while Piper Rubio plays his younger sister, Abby. Mike also crosses paths with a police officer who tends to him when he gets injured, with Elizabeth Lail delivering a notable performance in this role. The movie features a cast of talented child actors, including Grant Feely, Asher Colton Spence, Jophielle Love, and many others, all contributing to powerful performances. Given the reported abundance of supernatural sightings and experiences, the movie might leave viewers wondering if it is also inspired by true events.
Is Five Nights at Freddy’s a True Story?
No, the film is not based on a true story. FNAF is a work of fiction written by Scott Cawthon, Seth Cuddeback, and Emma Tammi. The movie is adapted from a video game franchise with the same name, and the original video game was created by Scott Cawthon. The video game was first released in 2014 and has gained immense popularity since then. The franchise now includes 20 video games, 48 books of various kinds, a horror attraction, and an ongoing line of merchandise.
While the film incorporates fantastical elements, it does draw some inspiration from the real world. One notable aspect is the use of robotic animals in a children’s pizza place, reminiscent of Chuck E. Cheese, a popular family restaurant that featured its animatronic five-member band called Munch’s Make Believe Band. However, this animatronic band concept became less popular over the years and ultimately declined in popularity, possibly due to the eerie nature of these animatronic characters. This real-world connection adds a touch of authenticity to the movie’s setting.
Fans of the franchise have speculated whether the film may have been inspired by real incidents, and one such incident that is often mentioned dates back to 1993. On December 14, 1993, a disgruntled ex-employee returned to a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant and opened fire, resulting in five people being shot, including the manager. Tragically, four of the victims did not survive. In the film’s story, and the video games as well, five children were murdered in the pizzeria, and their ghosts are said to inhabit the animatronic mascots. While Scott Cawthon, the creator of the franchise, has never confirmed any connection to this theory, it continues to circulate among fans and speculators.
While talking about the inspiration behind the story, Cawthon said, “My inspiration for the game was the fact that EVERY kid was scared of those things! There were a few brave ones, sure, but nearly everyone my age looks back and realizes that those things were terrifying.” He has also said that he had made a family-friendly game, ‘Chipper & Sons Lumber Co.,’ previously but it was not well-received by the audience. So, he chose to lean heavily into developing negative and horrifying game characters, and the five animal robots in ‘ Five Nights at Freddy’s’ were born.
The film’s effectiveness in generating fear is enhanced by tapping into common human fears. The fear of humanoid objects, often referred to as automatonophobia, plays a significant role in creating a sense of unease. The film also delves into the broader fear of technology and the idea that it could potentially threaten humanity in the future. This blend of fantastical and technological elements not only provides entertainment but also serves to make it a compelling horror film that leaves viewers with a lingering sense of dread. The film’s ability to connect with deep-seated fears, the unsettling blend of fantasy and technology, and the eerie animatronic mascots all contribute to a spine-tingling viewing experience.
Read More: Five Nights at Freddy’s Post-Credits Voice, Explained: Who Says Come Find Me?
