Director Emma Tammi brings to life the indie video game sensation “Five Nights at Freddy’s” (FNAF) with a star-studded cast, including the young Piper Rubio, who portrays Mike’s younger sister, Abby, in this cinematic adaptation. The film sees Tammi collaborating with esteemed writers Scott Cawthon and Seth Cuddeback, tackling the challenge of refreshing a beloved intellectual property that had previously been interpreted in various formats.
In a detailed conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Tammi highlighted the unconventional target audience for a horror film: children. While Hollywood has consistently produced spine-chilling content tailored for younger viewers—titles like “Goosebumps”, “Coraline”, and “The Nightmare Before Christmas” come to mind—FNAF’s adaptation is unique. The film takes a game originally designed for adults and reimagines it for its vast young audience, enthusiastic about its eerie ensemble of animatronic antagonists.
Set in the fictional family pizza joint, Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, reminiscent of popular childhood destinations like Showbiz Pizza and Chuck E. Cheese, the game challenges players to fend off murderous robotic animals. In the cinematic version, Josh Hutcherson steps into the shoes of Mike Schmidt, a night guard in a deserted family fun center. Alongside him, Elizabeth Lail plays a local police officer.
Tammi’s vision for the film was deeply influenced by her collaboration with the iconic Jim Henson Company’s creature workshop. The Henson team, renowned for creating memorable creatures, infused FNAF’s animatronics with soul and emotion, captivating both kids and adults. These creatures, true to their game counterparts, blend childlike wonder with eerie suspense, making the film PG-13 appropriate.
Tammi reflects on FNAF’s appeal to young viewers. She believes the film, with its puppetry, human relationships, and vibrant pizzeria set, offers an enriching experience that kids would cherish and revisit. The collaboration with Jim Henson’s Creature Shop allowed for innovative puppeteering techniques, bringing diverse and dynamic life to the characters.
The film also benefits from seasoned actors like Josh Hutcherson, known for “Hunger Games”, and Matthew Lillard, recognized for “Scream” and “Scooby-Doo”. Their experience in both horror and family-friendly genres enriched the film’s depth and authenticity.
Drawing inspiration from the game’s point-and-click style, Tammi and her team incorporated a sense of surveillance throughout the film, ensuring that even scenes outside the pizzeria echoed the game’s thematic essence.
For the full interview and more insights from Director Emma Tammi, read the original article on The Hollywood Reporter.
