This article contains spoilers for Five Nights At Freddy’s.
The recent Five Nights At Freddy’s movie adapted the popular video game to the big screen, and in doing that, brought some of the games’ characters and plot to life, however one big change that occurred in the movie means that a major reveal about Mike can no longer happen in the film franchise. Five Nights At Freddy’s first began as a video game in 2014 and has since grown into a worldwide phenomenon with a significant and dedicated fanbase. The movie was released in 2023 and stars Josh Hutcherson, Matthew Lillard, and Elizabeth Lail.
The biggest plot twist comes near the end of Five Nights At Freddy’s when Mike figures out why exactly Vanessa has so much knowledge about Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. As it turns out, Freddy’s is not just a stop on Vanessa’s route, but was originally owned by her father William Afton. Afton created the animatronics inside Freddy’s, and also, was responsible for kidnapping and killing five children in the 1980s. One of these children was Mike’s own little brother, Garret. Although this was a worthy plot twist for the film, it does change what twists the film franchise can use next, especially when it comes to Mike.
Mike Schmidt Is Revealed To Be William Afton’s Son In The Five Nights At Freddy’s Games
In the Five Nights At Freddy’s games, one major reveal about Mike is that he is William Afton’s son. When playing a Five Nights At Freddy’s game, the player typically takes the role of the night security guard at Freddy’s, who must survive the night as the animatronics come violently to life. In the first game, as is true in the first movie as well, the security guard is Mike Schmidt. However, unlike in the movie, Mike is not actually telling the truth about his identity. According to the games, Mike’s real name is Michael Afton and he is just one of William Afton’s children.
Though Mike has always been an Afton since his appearance in the very first game, his true identity does not really come into play until the 2016 game “Five Night’s At Freddy’s: Sister Location.” In this game, Mike goes by his true name, and is set out on a quest by his father to find the soul of his sister, Elizabeth, at the Circus Baby’s Pizza World. There are also theories that Mike is the Crying Child that appears in “Five Nights At Freddy’s 4,” although this is not confirmed. Ultimately, this aspect of Mike would completely change his character in the film franchise and most likely just wouldn’t happen.
Mike Schmidt Being Michael Afton Can’t Happen In Five Nights At Freddy’s 2 Now
Though Vanessa’s movie plot twist and Mike’s game plot twist are both strong plot devices, unfortunately, they cannot exist together. Now that Vanessa has been revealed to be William Afton’s daughter in Five Nights At Freddy’s, it can’t be that Mike is William Afton’s son in Five Nights At Freddy’s 2. First and foremost, this is because Mike’s parents are present in Five Nights At Freddy’s through his dreams. Audiences clearly see his mother and father, neither of them William Afton, on the camping trip that led to Garret’s kidnapping. Mike tells Vanessa that his mother has since died and his father is no longer around.
Another big reason why Mike cannot be Willian Afton’s son is that it simply wouldn’t be surprising. Now that Vanessa has been revealed to be Afton’s daughter, that plot twist has been thoroughly used and would seem bland if used again. Plus, Vanessa and Mike seem to have the beginnings of a romance brewing in Five Nights At Freddy’s, and making them siblings would be a strange choice. In the end, Five Nights At Freddy’s 2 will need to come up with some other twist or turn in the games that can shock viewers.
What Mike’s Future After Five Nights At Freddy’s Could Look Like
Though Mike will no longer be William Afton’s son in the Five Nights At Freddy’s movies, he still has a future in the franchise. Mike is the first film’s protagonist, so it would make sense to keep him around in some capacity for the next films. The Five Nights At Freddy’s 2 game has Jeremy Fitzgerald as its protagonist, but perhaps Mike could make some sort of cameo appearance, helping Jeremy out in some way. Furthermore, Mike’s future doesn’t have to lack a major plot twist. Perhaps, Mike’s story can continue via his estranged father and finding out what exactly happened to Garret.
