Abhiroop Das
Helmed by Emma Tammi, ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2,’ picks up right where ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s‘ left off, pitting Mike Schmidt against a new wave of supernatural animatronics. As a loose adaptation of the eponymous video game series by Scott Cawthon, this horror mystery movie introduces many characters and narrative elements from the games before adding its own flair to them. Michael Afton is one such character whose menacing concoctions paint every plot beat in the movie, setting him up as Mike’s arch nemesis. Through Michael’s actions, many unexplored dimensions to William Afton‘s crimes come to light, proving that the mystery behind the animatronics isn’t likely to end any time soon. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Michael is the Protagonist of the Video Game Series, Turned Antagonist in the Film
Towards the end of ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2,’ Michael Afton is revealed to be the estranged son of William Afton, the serial killer who served as the antagonist for the first movie, and brother of Vanessa. As William was defeated by Mike and the animatronics, his son takes over in this iteration of the story, declaring that he will take the Afton legacy to new heights. While Michael likely does not possess his father’s supernatural drive, he makes up for it with his cunning, as indicated by his first appearance on screen. Acting as the night guard for the original Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza store, he traps a group of horror vloggers, turning them into sacrifices for the Marionette. While the animatronics take center stage from hereon out, Michael continues to be a silent but deadly presence in the narrative, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Notably, Michael’s role as a nightguard for the pizzeria is a subtle nod to his role as the protagonist of the original ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ video game series. Furthermore, Mike Schmidt is one of his aliases in the game, while in the movie, it is the name of the protagonist, specifically invented for the big screen. Thus, Michael’s role in ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’ is vastly different from all of his other renditions, except for the fact that he is still William Afton’s son. While the game narrative focuses on him breaking free of his father’s shackles, the film focuses on his character as a continuation of the sinister cycle. His dynamic with the Marionette, as such, exemplifies the evil he seeks to spread in this world, and it is up to Mike and company to put a stop to that.
In the movie’s climactic showdown, Michael’s army of toys is defeated by the animatronics from the original film, with Freddy leading the charge. In many ways, the ending mirrors William Afton’s conclusion, as his attempts at controlling the animatronics only fuel his own undoing. Michael, however, manages to make an escape just in time and is not caught by the time the credits roll. This means that the potential mass murderer is out on the streets and might be planning his next move. Given that the second pizzeria outlet is set for demolition soon, he might raid the place and take charge of his father’s animatronic, which is implied to come to life in the final scenes of the movie.
Freddy Carter Dons a Darker Shade as Michael in Five Nights at Freddy’s 2
Unlike his video game counterpart, Michael Afton in the movie is a pure agent of chaos, with a seemingly endless stream of malicious ideas. However, beneath that layer lie signs of childhood trauma, and actor Freddy Carter’s performance pours life into both sides of the character. Carter is perhaps best known for essaying Kaz Brekker in ‘Shadow and Bone.’ Additionally, he is also known for his work in acclaimed titles such as ‘Free Rein,’ ‘Pennyworth,’ and ‘The Doll Factor,’ where he portrays Pin, Jason Ripper, and Gideon, respectively. Alongside being a talented, up-and-coming actor, Carter also has some directing credits under his belt, having helmed short films such as ‘No 89’ and ‘Broken Garygoyles.’
Stepping into the role of Michael proved to be a memorable experience for Carter from day one of filming. In a conversation with the press, he recalled, “I showed up in full costume, ready to go, and it was all completely new to me. (…) Everyone else was walking around with these animatronics, treating them like the most ordinary thing in the world, while I was standing there completely awestruck.” However, the actor found his groove in no time and quickly stole the spotlight with his fierce on-screen presence. Given the set-up surrounding Michael, as well as his lore-based importance, we can expect Carter to come back for a potential continuation of the story, this time with even more opportunities to flex his acting prowess.
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