Five Nights at Freddy's
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Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to Five Nights at Freddy's
The "Five Nights at Freddy's" movie is a 2023 supernatural horror film based on the popular video game series by Scott Cawthon. It was directed by Emma Tammi and stars Josh Hutcherson as Mike Schmidt, a troubled security guard. The plot centers on Mike taking a night job at an abandoned family pizzeria, Freddy Fazbear's Pizza, where he discovers the animatronic mascots are possessed by the souls of murdered children. He is haunted by the unresolved disappearance of his younger brother and seeks to protect his sister, Abby. The film aims to translate the eerie atmosphere and jump scares of the games to the big screen, exploring themes of grief, trauma, and a dark past hidden within the pizzeria.
Things to Consider
Violence
The film contains strong violent content and bloody images, consistent with its PG-13 rating. While much of the graphic violence is often implied or cuts away before explicit gore, several characters are brutally killed by the animatronics. The underlying premise involves the souls of murdered children possessing the animatronics, which is a dark and violent backstory.
A group of vandals is killed by the animatronics; for example, Max, Abby's babysitter, is described as being 'chomped in half by Freddy Fazbear himself' (often implied or shown via shadow). Another vandal, Hank, is brutally dispatched by Bonnie with slow, robotic movements. Towards the climax, William Afton, disguised as Steve Raglan, stabs Vanessa. Afton himself is later subjected to a 'springlock failure' in his suit, which crushes him in a 'visceral' scene, though without excessive gore.
Witchcraft & Occult
The core premise of 'Five Nights at Freddy's' is deeply rooted in supernatural and occult themes. The animatronic characters are possessed by the vengeful souls of murdered children, and these spirits actively interact with the living. This element of ghostly possession and paranormal activity is central to the film's horror narrative.
Scary & Intense Content
As a supernatural horror film, 'Five Nights at Freddy's' features frequent scary and intense content. It relies on suspenseful atmospheres, disturbing imagery, and numerous jump scares, which are characteristic of the video game series it's based on. The threat posed by the possessed animatronics and the dark backstory of child murders contribute significantly to the film's intensity.
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Additional Context
Best For Ages
The film is officially rated PG-13 by the MPAA for strong violent content, bloody images, and language. Common Sense Media and Raising Children Network both recommend the film for ages 14 and up, citing its scary, creepy nature and high levels of violence. Due to the intense supernatural themes, multiple deaths, and disturbing imagery, a recommendation of 14+ is appropriate, requiring parental guidance for younger teenagers.
Good to Know
A sequel, 'Five Nights at Freddy's 2,' was released in 2025 and also carries a PG-13 rating with 'sustained threat and violence,' indicating a consistent tone for the franchise. There is no indication of different cuts (theatrical, extended, director's) of the first film that would significantly alter its content or parental guidance. The director confirmed that an R-rated version is not planned, as they were content with the PG-13 tone.
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