Five Nights At Freddy's is a horror movie about Mike(Josh Hutcherson) a down-and-out guy taking care of his young sister Abby(Piper Rubio) who is forced to take a job as a security guard at Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria in order to hold off a custody battle with his avaricious Aunt Jane(Mary Stuart Masterson). The job turns out to be more than Mike bargained for.
Hutcherson is great, continuing his eclectic filmography, he's a great lead. He has heart, dimension, and plays the supernatural elements straight giving them more heft and occasionally injects some much needed comedy. It's great to see him as the lead in a feature and one hopes it gives him more opportunities to come. Rubio is a real surprise, giving this introverted kid more depth and realism than most child actors can muster. It is wonderful to see Masterson even though her part is relatively small and Matthew Lillard shows up for a bit which is a lot of fun. All in all its a small but extremely effective ensemble filled with solid character actors that get some room to really play.
On a small budget much of the action takes place in the titular restaurant. And that's great, the production design is simple but evocative and the animatronic work is thrilling if a bit stilted. There is little to know CGI in the movie and the practical effects(even if somewhat constrained) serve more effectively to create a real, tactile experience than would CGI. This is also bolstered up by clever and judicious editing and a narrative which is maybe at times a bit of a stretch but still provides much needed emotional stakes to make the movie click.
A solid, mostly family friendly, horror flick.
Currently in theaters and streaming on Peacock.
Rent It.
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