Going into Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, my expectations were already low—yet somehow, Blumhouse still managed to plunge far beneath them. After a streak of disappointing releases, Black Phone 2 had briefly restored some hope that the studio would finally treat one of its most valuable properties with real care. Unfortunately, that optimism was misplaced. In spectacular fashion, this sequel proves to be nothing more than a quick cash-grab, easily giving Night Swim a run for its money and earning a place as one of the worst films of the year. Honestly, it’s the kind of Flixtor movie you’d watch only out of curiosity, not quality.
For anyone unfamiliar with the franchise, FNAF (as fans call it) is a survival horror series set in a Chuck E. Cheese–style pizzeria called Freddy Fazbear’s, where unsettling animatronics lurk in the shadows while you play as an overnight security guard desperately trying to survive. I grew up loving the games—huddled in the dark, heart pounding—and spent countless hours watching Markiplier’s playthroughs. So despite critics dismissing the first film, I appreciated its lore, atmosphere, and clever nods to the games. A sequel was inevitable, but whatever charm the original had is completely lost here. The “lore” in FNAF 2 feels slapped together, doing little more than trying to mask the film’s massive narrative gaps.
Most of the original cast return, and who can blame them? This might be the easiest paycheck of their careers. The story picks up one year after the chaos of the first film, reintroducing us to former security guard Mike (Josh Hutcherson), his sister Abby (Piper Rubio), and Vanessa (Elizabeth Lail). All three remain shaken by the trauma caused by Vanessa’s murderous father, William Afton (Matthew Lillard).
With Scott Cawthon again handling writing duties, the sequel attempts to justify its existence by opening with a prequel-style scene introducing the Marionette—a supposedly terrifying new animatronic tied to yet another tragic child death at the original Freddy’s location. Given the tiny town setting, it’s remarkable that no one seems to have heard about this “mysterious” incident, but logic clearly wasn’t a priority. And aside from a river ride, the updated Freddy’s location is almost identical to the first film, adding nothing fresh or visually interesting.
After a painfully dull intro, the movie tosses in the first of many unnecessary subplots—a ghost-hunting team led by Mckenna Grace. They arrive searching for paranormal activity and, unsurprisingly, get exactly what they came for. The animatronics appear to be possessed by the spirit of the little girl who died, now seeking revenge on adults who failed to prevent her fate. Their demise, laughably spoiled in the trailer, is bloodless and sanitized. In fact, the entire film is aggressively child-friendly, which is almost insulting for a horror franchise known for its disturbing themes. Not a single scare lands; instead, the movie becomes unintentionally comedic.
As the story drags on, the main plot becomes even more tedious. Abby, convinced the animatronics from the first movie are still her “friends,” tries to reconnect with them—while they, in turn, manipulate her to help them escape into the real world. Yes, escape into the real world. Their great adventure even includes attending a festival called Fazfest, which somehow celebrates the deaths of children. This is the level of absurdity the writing reaches. What follows is a retread of the first film’s structure but with far less charm and far more repetitive, ear-splitting jump scares. Director Emma Tammi relies entirely on loud noises rather than genuine tension-building.
And while “phoning it in” would usually describe lackluster acting, I almost admire the cast for managing to deliver some of these lines with a straight face. The writing is astonishingly bad—so bad it’s almost impressive. FNAF 2 contains none of the terror or atmosphere that made the games iconic. In a long list of underwhelming video game adaptations, this one might just claim the trophy.
Sprinkled throughout are easter eggs and bits of lore that hardcore fans may appreciate, but the movie ultimately feels like a checklist assembled purely to justify rushing out a sequel. And yes, it teases a third film—because of course it does. Financially, it will likely succeed, but if this franchise is to survive creatively, something needs to change fast. Because Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 is nothing short of diabolical.
