The film adaptation of the popular video game, Five Nights at Freddy’s, has not only conquered the box office with a staggering global collection of US$132.7 million but also clinched the title of Peacock’s most-watched release in its initial five days. This horror sensation surpassed former frontrunners such as Halloween Ends and The Super Mario Bros. Movie, although specific viewership figures remain undisclosed by NBCUniversal.
At the heart of the film’s narrative, we follow Mike (portrayed by Josh Hutcherson), a young man grappling with the mysterious disappearance of his younger brother over a decade ago. Mike takes up a job as a night security guard at the seemingly deserted Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria to keep custody of his little sister Abby (Piper Rubio). At Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria, he is plunged into a series of inexplicable, supernatural incidents. Elizabeth Lail, playing a local police officer, joins him in navigating these eerie encounters.
Scott Cawthon, the creator of the 2014 point-and-click survival game that inspired the movie, not only had a hand in crafting the game, he also co-authored the film’s script. With its storyline centred around an old-themed restaurant inhabited by sinister animatronic figures, the film enthrals as Mike confronts the hidden horrors of the establishment.
Released on 26 October, Five Nights at Freddy’s saw simultaneous premieres on Peacock and in cinemas. Its impressive box office figures have crowned it as 2023’s top horror film debut and Blumhouse’s all-time largest global opening.
In the U.S. alone, the film raked in US$80 million, marking it as the second most lucrative debut for a video game-based film, just behind The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Another notable achievement for the movie is being the most successful opening weekend for a horror film helmed by a female director, Emma Tammi.
Emma Tammi’s directorial venture is produced by Blumhouse and Universal Pictures, with Scott Cawthon collaborating on the screenplay alongside Seth Cuddeback. The film’s executive producers include Beatriz Sequeira, Ryan Turek, Christopher H. Warner, Russell Binder, and Marc Mostman.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, games, and comics — you name it. When she’s not reading or geeking out about the latest shows on Netflix, she’s probably playing Honkai: Star Rail, cosplaying, or daydreaming of meeting her idols.
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Jake Su
