Director Explains Mike & Vanessa’s Emotional Ending

Warning: SPOILERS lie forward for 5 Nights at Freddy’s 2!Vanessa and Mike have been by way of lots collectively, however 5 Nights at Freddy’s 2 has seemingly delivered the final straw for his or her dynamic. Performed by You alum Elizabeth Lail and The Starvation Video games‘ Josh Hutcherson, respectively, Vanessa was launched as an area police officer within the 2023 movie adaptation of Scott Cawthon’s horror franchise, whereas Mike was a safety guard employed to keep watch over the eponymous rundown household pizzeria. After indicating information of its historical past, the primary film ended with the reveal that Vanessa was the daughter of Matthew Lillard’s William Afton, the restaurant’s founder and serial killer whose victims possess its animatronic mascots.

5 Nights at Freddy’s 2 picks up about two years after the occasions of its predecessor, with Mike and Vanessa initially making an attempt to maneuver on from surviving their ordeal within the first movie and sustaining a sophisticated relationship. As the latter additionally offers with the trauma of almost being killed by her father, and her father’s villainous actions when she was youthful, the malevolent Marionette animatronic manipulates Piper Rubio’s Abby into releasing Toy variants of the others onto the world for violent new terrors.

This all culminates within the 5 Nights at Freddy’s 2 ending, during which Mike and Vanessa, after efficiently clearing Abby of the Marionette’s possession, are surrounded by the Toy animatronics and confronted by Freddy Carter’s Michael, who reveals himself to be Vanessa’s long-lost brother that awoke the Marionette to proceed their father’s legacy. After narrowly surviving with the assistance of the unique film’s animatronics, Mike sharply criticizes Vanessa for her secret-keeping and tells her to depart him and Abby alone, to which she turns into possessed by the Marionette within the closing moments.

In honor of the film’s digital launch, ScreenRant‘s Ash Crossan interviewed Emma Tammi and Piper Rubio to debate 5 Nights at Freddy’s 2. When requested about why the reveal of her brother is what led to Mike and Vanessa’s emotional ending within the sequel, the director begins by declaring that the pair are “nonetheless simply making an attempt to recover from all of it and actually making an attempt to determine the place their relationship is at” come the beginning of the movie. Feeling that “they’re clearly drawn to one another” and “need to have a stronger connection,” Tammi clarified that they’ve a “trauma bond” and do not know but if they’ve a “deeper friendship or one thing that turns right into a romance“:

Emma Tammi: I believe that was actually, particularly for Elizabeth Lail and Josh Hutcherson who performed these characters, an enormous factor that they felt like was the reality of the state of affairs, proper? How do you begin trusting one another once more? How do you begin rebuilding? And the truth that they have been the one folks that might speak to one another about this enormous factor that had occurred to them, this enormous dramatic factor was completely one thing that bonded these characters collectively large time.

Tammi went on to share that a lot of the sequel finds Mike considering he can “possibly align himself to her a little bit bit” given she was “a sufferer too” of Afton’s torments, whereas additionally feeling that “there’s a lot that he is nonetheless holding her accountable for.” Even with Vanessa’s “horrible plight” of childhood that advanced into her maturity, although, the director says that the reactivation of The Marionette and the opposite animatronics, be it on their very own or together with her long-lost brother’s affect, has Mike considering “he simply cannot deal with it anymore.”

The truth that Vanessa had a brother, specifically — which the movie does not totally clarify whether or not she knew of his existence prior — that was “about to wreak havoc on this city” is what Tammi calls a “bridge actually too far” for Mike to embrace and settle for come 5 Nights at Freddy’s 2‘s ending:

Emma Tammi: [He can’t] simply be like, “Okay, let’s simply carry on holding on.” So for me, I believe on the finish of the film, after he’s had a beat to type of recover from the shock of getting out of an extremely harmful state of affairs, he says he can’t deal with it anymore. Yeah, form of keep away.

Tammi Will Maintain Trying To Followers For What To Convey Into Future FNAF Films

ScreenRant: There are a variety of nods all through the flicks, with avid gamers and streamers making cameos. Is there a dream particular person you haven’t gotten but that you just’d love to herald for a 3rd film — or past?

Emma Tammi: I believe we might simply nonetheless like to preserve incorporating as lots of the YouTubers and tremendous followers which are so essential throughout the FNAF universe. I believe we might simply preserve making an attempt to make an effort to include as many as doable and as cleverly as doable. I believe one of many issues that’s actually enjoyable is in the event you’re not conversant in them, you don’t even understand that you just’re watching a cameo. And in the event you do, you’re screaming your head off. And in the event you’re watching it in a theater with different followers, you understand that one thing very particular is going on even in the event you don’t know what it’s. Yeah. However they type of seamlessly combine into this to the extent truly that I learn one evaluation that mentioned that we hadn’t put any cameos within the second film in any respect. And I used to be like, “There are fairly a number of.” And this particular person was simply clearly not conversant in these folks and that’s completely tremendous. But it surely additionally felt like, oh, that’s nice. They’re not protruding and apparent. They’re built-in into the movie. So I believe that’d proceed to be our objective.

ScreenRant: Now, I’d say this film, notably, went for extra bounce scares this time round, which I bought to say that Marionette scared the s**t out of me.

Emma Tammi: Wonderful!

ScreenRant: Mckenna Grace was superb. So I’m simply curious for you as a filmmaker, what was completely different for you on this course of in 5 Nights at Freddy’s 2, notably for the scenes involving the Marionette?

Emma Tammi: I imply, there have been so many extra animatronics on this movie, together with the Marionette. And I believe simply by default, we have been going to finish up with extra bounce scares, however along with that, simply the numbers growing with the animatronics and, subsequently, with the scares, we have been additionally actually making an effort, I believe, to get in some extra, escalate the bounce scares from the primary film, escalate the motion, the entire thing scaled up another way. And the good factor concerning the Marionette will not be solely is that character part of the scares and part of heightening the stakes, but it surely’s such a narrative driver, each throughout the lore and inside our movie. And it finally ends up having essentially the most interplay and significance with Abby, to not point out, in fact, its significance with regard to controlling all the opposite animatronics, and its backstory. I imply, it’s the one new character on this movie that’s nonetheless being managed and possessed by the spirit of a child, which, in fact, is the spine of the primary film. So it was only a nice, good thing to construct a lot round and to search out these fantastic possession moments with, as you say, Mckenna Grace, who performs Lisa, after which Abby, after which ultimately, on the finish, Vanessa. So it was an unbelievable character to take inspiration and cues from the lore within the sport, however then additionally construct it out much more for the film.

Piper Rubio Has Relished In Bringing One Of Her Favourite Franchises To Life On Display

ScreenRant: I do know you are an enormous fan of the franchise, so once you stepped onto the set for the second movie, what was the factor you gravitated in direction of essentially the most that you just have been so excited to see tailored on the set?

Piper Rubio: The workplace. I ran to the workplace, and it seemed like I used to be taking part in the sport. It was loopy.

ScreenRant: Was there a favourite little object or one thing that you just — do you are taking something? Did you retain something?

Piper Rubio: Effectively, they gave me a bunch of pins, however I did not steal something.

ScreenRant: No, I am not asking you to admit to a criminal offense.

Piper Rubio: Oh, I’ll steal this paper pal. [Laughs]

ScreenRant: How would you say Abby has modified for the reason that first movie?

Piper Rubio: Effectively, she’s gotten lots older, and she or he’s dealing with bother in class, however she misses her mates, as a result of they have been the primary mates she truly had, and so they’re gone. She hasn’t seen them in a yr or one thing, and her and Mike are lots nearer. They have been fairly disconnected within the first one, and it’s good to see that, as a result of Josh and I are actually shut in actual life.

ScreenRant: Now, I do know you are an enormous fan of the franchise typically, and we now have some new solid members coming in. I consider Mckenna Grace can be an enormous fan, so what was it like having her on set with you? Have been you guys in a position to type of break down theories collectively?

Piper Rubio: Me and Mckenna have been speaking concerning the lore the entire time. We have been speaking about theories, we have been speaking concerning the lore drops within the film. We have been freaking out, and it is very nice to have somebody on set that is aware of, has been an enormous fan for some time and is aware of the lore as a result of not lots of people on set do. I’ve tried explaining it to them. It does not all the time work, however she’s been part of the fan base, so she is aware of issues just like the hoaxes, like Sparky and the purple man in Medtronic, and it is good to speak to somebody that will get it, and it is so enjoyable speaking to her large followers, and we have been freaking out about this one particular character.

ScreenRant: Yep. I’ve a guess. Do you go deep into the fan theories? Do you will have a favourite one that you have heard concerning the sequel or possibly even a future film?

Piper Rubio: I watch a variety of theories on Planet. I do not know if I’ve a favourite one, however I noticed one video the place it was a really jokey video. It wasn’t actually concerning the motion pictures, but it surely was like Safety Breach truly was the primary one to ever occur. Safety Breach is the ninth sport, or one thing. So I believe it was posted on April Fools or one thing as a result of it was just like the timeline nearly simply utterly out of order type of factor. And that was enjoyable.

ScreenRant: You may have Matthew Lillard on this film and Skeet Ulrich, and I’m the largest Scream fan, so seeing them reunite in a movie is so thrilling to me. Being in this type of horror area, have you ever gone to many horror conventions for the reason that first movie but?

Piper Rubio: No, when it comes to horror motion pictures, I’ve solely seen 5 Nights at Freddy’s, and 5 Nights at Freddy’s 2, however they are a good introduction into horror. It is one thing I am fairly conversant in, as a result of I grew up with [the games], so I do suppose I am going to begin watching different horror motion pictures quickly.

ScreenRant: Have you ever had many fan interactions of individuals coming as much as you and being like, “I like this franchise”? I do know folks actually adore you [and your character].

Piper Rubio: I bear in mind the very first one I ever had. I went in on the final day that the primary film was filming, and we stood up after which folks within the row in entrance of us. Two of them rotated, and so they realized it was me and that I used to be within the film. That was an enormous second for me. That was the primary time anybody was a fan of me, and so they have been like, “Oh my gosh, can we take an image with you?” I am going to all the time do not forget that. After which it was loopy on the premiere. I’ve by no means skilled this earlier than. I am positive Josh and the remainder of my co-stars have, however folks have been like, “Oh my gosh, it is Piper!” And I am like, “You are a fan of me? I am only a fan of this franchise. I do not even understand how I bought right here.” After which there have been a number of those who have been fangirling over me, and I used to be fangirling over them, as a result of they have been FNAF YouTubers, like Andiematronic, John “FuhNaff”. Each of them, I used to be fangirling over them, and it was bizarre as a result of they have been followers of me, so we have been fangirling over one another. The fan base is a superb fan base to be part of.

ScreenRant: Are you able to think about even a number of years again telling your self these folks you are watching are going to come back as much as you and be like, “I am such an enormous fan of yours.”

Piper Rubio: No, severely. I do not suppose I’d consider myself. However actually, with Andiematronic, she is an FNAF YouTuber, she makes cosplays and opinions among the 5 Nights at Freddy’s merch. She requested me to take a photograph together with her, and I used to be like, “Oh my gosh, it is you. Oh my gosh.”

ScreenRant: What different fandoms do you take into account your self to be part of? Is there something you’d love to hitch sooner or later in the event you might?

Piper Rubio: There isn’t any different fandom that I am as strongly collaborating in, particularly since most of them are issues which have stopped airing or have ended, or actually area of interest issues that nobody is aware of about. Apart from possibly Sailor Moon, as a result of I like Sailor Moon and that is one thing that there are many Sailor Moon followers. However I’ve by no means skilled being in a fandom as a lot as 5 Nights at Freddy’s. I am actively collaborating, I am watching the fan animations, the theories, the trailer reactions and the gameplay and taking part in the video games, and drawing fan artwork, and animating, as properly.

ScreenRant: I heard you speaking about it in one other interview, the place you talked about the way you have been animating. Are you able to break down simply what that’s and what you do?

Piper Rubio: So, I animate on Procreate 2D animation, and I animate FNAF characters principally. There’s one animation that I am at present engaged on with Toy Bonnie as MattPat, however it may be very, like, Toy Bonnie IS MattPat, how he was on Sport Concept earlier than he retired.

ScreenRant: Do you will have an account, in order that if I needed to go watch these, I might?

Piper Rubio: No, I do not. I have been speaking to my mother about beginning a YouTube channel to have my FNAF theories and likewise placing my animations out. I additionally need to make my very own animated TV exhibits and a film, probably. There’s one idea, a sci-fi idea proper now that I am engaged on.

ScreenRant: So, how did you get into appearing within the first place? I do not know if I totally know your backstory there.

Piper Rubio: So I have been doing a bunch of issues, after which we began these improv courses and that instantly clicked. After which I began doing actual appearing, and now I am right here, and that is loopy. I began improv courses after I was 4, and began appearing most likely after I was like 5. If I have been to inform my previous self, “You’re going to be on this film with this massive of a fan base,” I do not suppose I might be capable to grasp that idea even. I might be like, “Wow,” as a result of I would not perceive what meaning as me being 5.

ScreenRant: Clearly, you’ve got grown up since then, however Josh and Mckenna each have each been appearing since they have been actually younger. Do you guys speak about that? Is there any type of knowledge that they’ve bestowed on you?

Piper Rubio: Josh is all the time giving me random knowledge each time I see it. I will not even understand it till later, however he is simply all the time gifting me knowledge. However yeah, it is good to satisfy different those who began appearing after they have been a toddler, as a result of I’m a toddler, so we type of share experiences, and it’s a very area of interest factor to be an actor, and particularly to start out appearing once you’re a toddler. So it’s good having those who get it.

ScreenRant: There’s an apparent setup for one more movie. What’s one thing that possibly hasn’t occurred but that you’d simply like to see and why?

Piper Rubio: I am unsure, however I belief in Scott that he’ll simply make it unbelievable. The second, I had no thought what to anticipate, actually. However he took it, and he made it so properly finished. A lot lore, and far more impactful as properly, and extra correct to the video games, which I believe is one thing that the followers are going to be like.

ScreenRant: The look of the Marionette alone, and Mckenna in that, is immediately iconic to me. It freaked me out in my soul simply seeing her, and I simply thought it was unbelievable.

Piper Rubio: Yeah, the Marionette, I had been watching a bunch of fan theories earlier than filming 5 Nights at Freddy’s 2, and I by no means considered the Marionette being scary till I noticed it in particular person. It was enormous, it was scary. It had these wiggly limbs. I wasn’t anticipating it to simply terrify me. I wasn’t petrified of any of the opposite ones. I grew up with them, and so they’re lifelong mates, however the factor is, I noticed it one time. It was on the sound stage, and it was darkish, and I see this cart. And inside, slumped over, is the Marionette, and I’m like, “My gosh, it is simply lifeless in there,” after which it’ll spring to life when the puppeteers are transferring it round. It is actually scary, Scott did a very good job making it extra scary.

ScreenRant: I really feel like one of many cliché questions is are there pranks on set? However I really feel like on this one, notably, there needs to be.

Piper Rubio: I used to be the one making pranks, ever for the reason that first one. I did this factor, I had taken my sweatshirt and I put the collar round my head, and it made me appear like an egg. So we took an image, we minimize ’em out, and we caught ’em on these plastic eggs with the individual that did my hair, and so they mentioned, “You have been Abdy-d” on it. The origin of that title is as a result of on the fridge with the magnets in Mike and Abby’s home, there aren’t two Bs. So it says, “Abdy.” And that is how I got here up with the title. I am like, “That is Abdy, my twin egg sister.” So, I might place them throughout the set, and it would be like, “You have been Abdy-d.” [Chuckles] We did not get to do this for the second. There was a lot occurring, and we did not have a lot time, however I used to be scaring folks on set after I first reunited with Josh. Not the primary time, as a result of I had seen him earlier than filming whereas nonetheless in Louisiana, and I got here up from behind him and I scared him. I even scared Scott one time.

Be sure you dive into a few of our different 5 Nights at Freddy’s 2 protection with:

Launch Date

December 5, 2025

Director

Emma Tammi

Writers

Scott Cawthon

Producers

Jason Blum, Scott Cawthon, Jennifer Scudder Trent, Jon Romano

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