Josh Hutcherson and Piper Rubio Reunite as Mike and Abby for a Darker, More Emotional 'Five Nights at Freddy's 2'
One year after the chilling events at Freddy Fazbear's Pizza, Josh Hutcherson and Piper Rubio reprise their roles as Mike and Abby Schmidt in "Five Nights at Freddy's 2," a horror sequel that delves deeper into the haunted pizzeria's origins and the emotional scars left on its characters. Directed by Emma Tammi and written by Scott Cawthon, the film premiered in the United States on December 5, 2025, promising a darker and more intense chapter in the "Five Nights at Freddy's" saga.
"Five Nights at Freddy's 2" picks up with Mike, Abby, and Vanessa (Elizabeth Lail), a local police officer and William Afton's daughter, attempting to rebuild their lives after their terrifying encounter with the ghost-possessed animatronics. Mike grapples with the responsibility of being a father figure to Abby, while Abby copes with the loss of her animatronic friends. She misses Freddy, Bonnie, Chica and Foxy, and wants to see them again, but Mike will not let her. As Abby begins reconnecting with her animatronic friends, a chain of events is set in motion, revealing the dark secrets behind Freddy Fazbear's Pizza. The film also explores Vanessa's trauma as she confronts her serial killer father, William Afton (Matthew Lillard).
Hutcherson explains that the traumatic experiences of the first film have deepened Mike and Abby's connection. He says it's tough when a brother has to step into the role of a father and Mike is doing his best, but he is still figuring it out. Rubio notes that Abby has grown a lot since the first movie, becoming more open, although she has lost her friends and is adjusting to a new house. To cope with the loss of her friends, Abby gets into robotics and decides to create something for the school science fair as a tribute to them.
The film introduces new characters played by Skeet Ulrich, Wayne Knight, Mckenna Grace, and Teo Briones. Ulrich plays Henry, the father of Charlie, a murder victim of William Afton’s. Knight plays a mean science teacher. Theodus Crane reprises his role as Jeremiah. The film also features the voice talents of Kellen Goff, Megan Fox and Matthew Patrick as the voices of the animatronics. Audrey Lynn-Marie plays young Charlotte.
Set a year after the first film, "Five Nights at Freddy's 2" sees Abby reconnecting with her animatronic friends, leading to events that reveal the origins of Freddy Fazbear's Pizza. The movie also introduces a new animatronic character called the Marionette.
"Five Nights at Freddy's 2" delves into the lore of the video game series, potentially setting up future installments. However, some critics have pointed out that the film's convoluted plot and reliance on jump scares detract from its overall impact. As of December 5, 2025, the film has a 13% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite the negative reviews, some viewers may find the sequel more entertaining than the original, with a sillier tone and fan service.
