Five Nights at Freddy’s, the upcoming horror film from Blumhouse, is based on the popular video game series of the same name. However, the feature film adaptation sought inspiration from prominent filmmakers and movies. Director Emma Tammi explained to Total Film magazine how Five Nights at Freddy’s includes references to Steven Spielberg and Todd Phillips’ Joker.
“We were constantly referencing Steven Spielberg – you know, that childhood wonderment quality. Alongside kind of a darker world that felt akin to Joker,” Tammi said. “Those were some of the cinematography references that Lyn Moncrief and I were pulling. Also, just the haunted house element of it was such a big influence. Some of our scenes that have to do with our main character’s backstory and memory were also influenced by a [Terrence] Malick-esque camera style, to give them a more dreamlike quality… those scenes that were taking place in forest campground settings. There were a lot of different types of references we were pulling to really craft something that felt unique.”
What to Expect in Five Nights at Freddy’s?
“The terrifying horror game phenomenon becomes a blood-chilling cinematic event, as Blumhouse brings Five Nights at Freddy’s to the big screen,” the official synopsis reads. “The film follows a troubled security guard as he begins working at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. While spending his first night on the job, he realizes the night shift at Freddy’s won’t be so easy to make it through.”
Josh Hutcherson stars as Mike Schmidt, the security guard who discovers the restaurant’s mascots become killers after midnight. Aside Hutcherson, the ensemble features Elizabeth Lail, Piper Rubio, Mary Stuart Masterson, Kate Conner Sterling, Lucas Grant, Jessica Blackmore, and Matthew Lillard.
Five Nights at Freddy’s is directed by Tammi from a screenplay she co-wrote with Scott Cawthon and Seth Cuddeback. Cawthon, who created the Five Nights at Freddy’s video game series, will produce alongside Jason Blum of Blumhouse Productions.
Five Nights at Freddy’s will be released simultaneously on Peacock and in theaters on October 27, 2023.
