Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent video game adaptation starts well but falls apart.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
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Five Nights at Freddy's
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 113 parent reviews
Parents say that the film is a generally scary experience, showcasing animatronics in violent scenarios, although it is not excessively gory and is appropriate for teens looking to transition into horror. While many fans appreciated the story and character design, some parents expressed concern about the movie's mature themes, including kidnapping and violence, and recommended viewer discretion based on the child's maturity level.
- scary elements
- teen suitable
- mild gore
- viewer discretion
- good for fans
- not for kids
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 265 kid reviews
Kids say that while the movie might appeal to fans of the franchise, it has a mixed reception overall. Many feel it lacks genuine scares and has an inaccurate storyline compared to the original game, with some noting it is more suitable for older children due to its mild violence and themes, though others found it entertaining and less frightening than expected.
- not scary
- mixed reception
- suitable for older kids
- inaccurate storyline
- mild violence
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY'S, Mike (Josh Hutcherson) looks after his younger sister, Abby (Piper Rubio). Their parents are out of the picture, largely the result of Mike and Abby's brother Garrett's abduction years earlier. Mike has trouble holding down jobs and is hanging on by a thread, while his mean Aunt Jane (Mary Stuart Masterson) tries to win custody of Abby. A career counsellor (Matthew Lillard) places Mike in just about the last job that will take him: overnight security guard for an abandoned pizza parlor, Freddy Fazbear's. The animatronic animals there, who originally entertained guests with music, now seem to be able to walk around freely. There's something menacing about them, and they seem to have set their sights on Abby.
Is It Any Good?
Based on the popular horror video games, this movie starts out well, with sympathetic characters, a fun design, and an appealing comical tone, but it goes on too long and eventually falls apart. Directed and co-written by Emma Tammi, Five Nights at Freddy's gives us a family we can root for and care about and finds a nifty way to add playful silliness to the game's trademark jump scares. The practical visual FX and the restaurant location are also spooky fun. But while the mystery of the abducted Garrett is intriguing at first, the more detail is revealed, the more things start to feel spotty and slapdash. It feels like certain details were shoehorned into place. Likewise, some of the performances contribute to an awkwardness, a sense that something is being haphazardly hidden from us. When the reveals occur, they feel less like a satisfying snap than a sloppy drop. Mostly, though, the movie wears out its welcome. Perhaps Five Nights at Freddy's could have been shortened by a night or two.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Five Nights at Freddy's. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
Is the movie scary? What's the appeal of scary movies? Why do people sometimes enjoy being scared?
Mike seems to take responsibility for a tragic event that happened when he was 12. Is it really his fault? Why would he believe that? What would it take for him to forgive himself?
What's the family dynamic like in this movie? How is it similar to or different from your family relationships?
How does the movie compare to the games? What's been changed? How is it similar?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 27, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : December 12, 2023
- Cast : Josh Hutcherson , Elizabeth Lail , Piper Rubio
- Director : Emma Tammi
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Classic
- Topics : Fantasy
- Run time : 109 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong violent content, bloody images and language
- Last updated : December 11, 2025
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