No Blood, No Problem: Emma Tammi Speaks
Let’s cut right to the chase: Five Nights at Freddy’s is a highly anticipated cinematic adaptation of the viral video game franchise, but fans have been scratching their heads over its PG-13 rating. In an eye-opening conversation with Inverse, co-writer/director Emma Tammi lifts the veil on the crucial decision.
“We were trying to push it as far as we could while still retaining that PG-13 rating. That meant the kills needed to be executed in a certain way,” said Tammi.
In a genre that frequently leans into explicit gore and violence, the Five Nights at Freddy’s team is rewriting the playbook. This article aims to break down why the PG-13 rating works, even in a film that promises a high body count.
The Genius Behind the Shadows and Silhouettes
Horror doesn’t need to be drenched in blood to be effective. Tammi and her creative squad realized this early on and decided to let the imagination fill in the gaps.
“In some cases, we leaned into shadows and silhouettes and sound design to really feel the moment in an impactful way without showing any gore,” Tammi revealed.
This innovative approach aims to strike fear into the audience’s hearts without turning their stomachs. The PG-13 rating opens the door to a younger demographic, ensuring that a broader audience can engage with the film.
The Game’s Essence Remains Intact
For anyone familiar with the original Five Nights at Freddy’s game series, this PG-13 rating might seem like a natural fit. The games themselves largely relied on jump scares rather than on-screen violence. A virally successful formula, the series had YouTubers screaming and laughing, proving that explicit gore isn’t necessary to instill fear.
The tension was further elevated by the management of power, only having so much electricity to check the various cameras and close the security doors to keep the animatronics out.
While some die-hard horror fans may crave the gore, the rating doesn’t dilute the film’s core mechanics or its faithfulness to the source material.
Why a PG-13 Rating Could Be a Box Office Blessing
If early box office projections are anything to go by, the PG-13 rating has not dampened audience enthusiasm. Five Nights at Freddy’s is tracking to outperform even high-profile R-rated titles like The Exorcist: Believer and Saw X. It’s clear that a lighter rating hasn’t affected audience anticipation, and the PG-13 stamp might actually be a blessing in disguise.
Creativity Over Gore: The Final Word
When it comes down to it, Five Nights at Freddy’s is set to rewrite how horror movies are made and consumed. The PG-13 rating isn’t a compromise; it’s a choice—an inclusive one.
“We didn’t want to exclude them,” Tammi explained, referring to the younger demographic that comprises a significant portion of the franchise’s fanbase.
As the movie is poised to release, it’s time to ask ourselves: is gore really necessary to convey horror? Five Nights at Freddy’s is here to answer that question with a resounding “no.”
So, are you ready to lock yourself in for a night at Freddy’s? Trust us; you won’t need an R-rating to be clutching the edge of your seat.
