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.
Concerns
Violence
HighThe 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
HighThe 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.
The animatronics (Freddy Fazbear, Bonnie, Chica, Foxy, Mr. Cupcake) are established as being possessed by the souls of children murdered by William Afton, who then control the robots. Mike experiences vivid dreams where he encounters these ghost children, who attempt to influence his actions and Abby's fate. Abby's drawings play a crucial role in freeing the children's spirits from Afton's influence.
Scary & Intense Content
HighAs 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.
The film includes approximately 11 jump scares throughout its runtime, designed to startle viewers. Scenes such as the animatronics attacking intruders, like Max getting 'chomped' by Freddy or Hank's death by Bonnie, create intense and frightening moments. The climactic 'springlock' scene, where William Afton is crushed inside his suit, is described as visceral and terrifying.
Profanity
MediumThe film includes some instances of profanity, which is noted as a descriptor for its PG-13 rating. Common Sense Media specifically mentions the use of words like 's**t' and 'a**hole,' along with other crude comments. The language is not pervasive or extremely strong, but it is present in several scenes.
Common Sense Media reports 'some swearing including s**t, a**hole and other crude comments.' These instances are scattered throughout the film, usually in moments of stress or frustration from characters, rather than being a constant feature of the dialogue.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThe film portrays instances of disrespect and rebellion, primarily through the antagonist Aunt Jane, who attempts to manipulate legal systems and hires individuals to vandalize property. Mike Schmidt also displays initial anger issues, leading to his firing from a previous job. These acts showcase a disregard for rules and authority, though they are not central to the film's overarching themes.
Aunt Jane actively schemes to gain custody of Abby from Mike, driven by financial incentives. She hires a group of vandals, including Abby's babysitter Max, to break into Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria and destroy it, hoping to get Mike fired. Mike Schmidt's initial character arc begins with him being fired from a mall security job for 'assaulting a father whom he mistook for a kidnapper,' indicating an issue with impulsive actions and disrespect for proper procedure.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
LowThere is no explicit or implied LGBTQ+ representation or gender identity themes within the narrative of the 'Five Nights at Freddy's' movie. The characters and plot do not engage with these topics. Extensive searches for LGBTQ+ content in relation to the film yielded no specific instances within the movie's storyline, character dialogues, or official descriptions.
No specific characters are identified as LGBTQ+, and there are no discussions, relationships, or plot points related to sexual orientation or gender identity presented in the film's content. The director, Emma Tammi, and game creator, Scott Cawthon, have not made statements about LGBTQ+ content being present in the film.
Romance and Sexual Content
LowThe 'Five Nights at Freddy's' movie contains minimal to no romantic or sexual content. The primary focus of the narrative is on the horror elements, the mystery of the missing children, and the protagonist's familial relationships. There are no explicit scenes, suggestive language, or implied sexual activity. Fan-made content in the broader franchise may feature romance, but the official film does not.
There are no romantic relationships or sexual encounters depicted in the film. The relationship between Mike and his sister Abby is central, focusing on a protective, familial bond rather than romance. Officer Vanessa Shelly has interactions with Mike, but these are professional and pertain to the unfolding mystery, devoid of romantic undertones.
Substance Use
LowThe film has minimal depictions of substance use. The protagonist, Mike, takes sleeping pills to induce dreams, which is a plot device to help him uncover the mystery of the missing children and his brother's disappearance. This is shown as a functional necessity for the plot rather than recreational drug use or abuse.
Mike Schmidt is shown taking sleeping pills to try and access his subconscious memories to understand the past kidnappings. This is a specific action tied to the plot's mystery and is not depicted as substance abuse or a recurring theme of drug or alcohol consumption.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe 'Five Nights at Freddy's' movie does not contain any explicit anti-Christian themes. While it delves into supernatural horror involving spirits and possession, these elements are presented within a fictional context related to a specific lore of murdered children and a serial killer, rather than directly opposing or mocking Christian beliefs or symbols. The narrative remains neutral on religious matters.
There are no characters who express anti-Christian sentiments, nor are there any plotlines that criticize or disrespect Christian faith or practices. The supernatural events are confined to the lore of the Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria and the animatronics, without invoking or condemning any real-world religious frameworks. The film focuses on the horror and mystery genre without religious commentary.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
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.
Additional Notes
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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