Five Nights at Freddy’s Got The Same Divisive Response As Another 17-Year-Old Game Adaptation

Since its release, Five Nights at Freddy’s has gotten divisive reviews from audiences and critics, receiving a similar response to another video game adaptation from 17 years ago. Audiences and critics often clash when it comes to horror movies, and the discrepancy of Five Nights at Freddy’s Rotten Tomatoes scores is a testament to that. Being based on a game with a unique and intricate lore doesn’t seem to be helping, as Five Nights at Freddy‘s is appealing to passionate fans but missing the mark when it comes to those less acquainted with the source material.

Pulling from the first Five Nights at Freddy’s game, released back in 2014, the film focuses on Mike (Josh Hutcherson), a troubled man struggling to retain custody of his younger sister. He accepts a job as a night security guard at an abandoned family entertainment center to prove that he can provide for his sister. However, Mike soon learns that the pizzeria contains four animatronics that come alive for a haunting reason. Despite this thrilling premise, the response to Five Nights at Freddy‘s has been mixed. This may speak to a greater issue with horror game adaptations, as another one also found moviegoers and critics disagreeing over its merits.

Critics And Audiences Are Divided On Five Nights At Freddy’s Just Like Silent Hill

Five Nights at Freddy’s isn’t the first video game movie to receive praise from general audiences while racking up negative reviews from critics. Another horror game adaptation received the same response when it came out in 2006: Silent Hill. Based on Konami’s horror franchise, Silent Hill transported viewers to the eerie and brutal world of the games, but it didn’t impress critics with its take on the story. Silent Hill has a rotten 33% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, but its 63% audience score suggests that general moviegoers were more forgiving.

This is the same situation that Five Nights at Freddy’s finds itself in 17 years later, with critics calling out flaws that general audiences don’t mind or even appreciate. The difference of opinion highlights a similar issue with Five Nights at Freddy‘s and Silent Hill: both films contain elements that established fans enjoy, but they may not be enough to win over everyone else.

Five Nights At Freddy’s And Silent Hill Have A Similar Issue

Both Five Nights at Freddy’s and Silent Hill are satisfactory enough for longtime fans of the video games, and many reviews have praised their accuracy. These movies also contain Easter eggs and references to their respective source material, as well as antagonists that make them feel familiar. Five Nights at Freddy’s manages to achieve the right level of fear for young audiences, while Silent Hill focuses on character and environmental design. Although these factors won over established fans, they weren’t enough for critics and newcomers looking for more than game lore.

And this is the main issue with certain video game adaptations, especially those in the horror category: moviegoers are going to theaters looking for different things. While those invested in the games are hoping to see plenty of references to the source material, more casual viewers are looking for a well-rounded, scary horror movie. Films like Five Nights at Freddy’s and Silent Hill have a lot to offer to the former group, but they’re not as strong when it comes to the latter.

The Horror Movies’ Reviews Speak To a Greater Adaptation Problem

Faithful book and video game adaptations typically impress passionate fans of the franchise, but they disappoint critics and newcomers if they don’t offer more than an accurate take on the source material. Many adaptations lean heavily into lore in order to bring a video game or book to the screen. This can come at the expense of other things, like the jump scares and horrors critics condemned Five Nights at Freddy‘s for lacking, or the straightforward story some were hoping for with Silent Hill. Movies must strike a fine balance between capturing complex video game lore and telling compelling stories. Otherwise, they alienate potential viewers.

For this reason, it’s difficult for video game adaptations to appeal to diehard fans, casual players, and newcomers all at once — but not impossible. While Five Nights at Freddy’s video game Easter eggs and Silent Hill‘s inclusion of its many villains are necessary to ensnare fans, such projects can learn from their critic scores and attempt to include what critics and casual viewers are looking for. By crafting fuller narratives and ensuring there are enough scares to appease those looking for horror, adaptations like Five Nights at Freddy’s and Silent Hill can score points with everyone.