First arrived *Terminator 2: Judgment Day*, which was acceptable. Next came *M3GAN 2.0*, which turned out to be a disappointment. Now we encounter *Five Nights at Freddy’s 2*, a sequel that possesses all the vigor of a depleted battery. Witness the continual decline of robotic horror sequels.

In each of these series, the initial film featured a deadly robot who, while being the villain, was intriguing enough that viewers craved more. Thus, Hollywood resurrects them for a follow-up. However, this time, the malevolent robot has a heart of gold and merely wishes to safeguard a child. From what? Ah, a more sophisticated and even more malicious iteration of the robo-killer that originated it all.

Admittedly, that concept should be enjoyable. In *T2*, it is because co-writer and director James Cameron kept Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Terminator rigid and tough, then introduced a slender robo-cop with shape-shifting powers to inject fresh fear. In *M3GAN 2.0*, Blumhouse mishandled their new horror icon by attempting to transform her into a witty superhero, obliterating the subversive essence and alienating their audience. With *Five Nights at Freddy’s 2*, screenwriter Scott Cawthon and director Emma Tammi (who worked together on 2023’s *Five Nights at Freddy’s*) adhere to this trend by unveiling flashy new versions of Freddy, Foxy, Bonnie, and Chica, while still honoring the cherished, worn originals.

This does create some amusing climactic robot-versus-robot action. But primarily, this film centers around the living humans who wander through this franchise, oblivious and perpetually on the brink of death. And that is significantly more aggravating than entertaining.

What is *Five Nights at Freddy’s 2* about?

Fortunately, this sequel shifts away from the monotonous storyline involving Mike Schmidt (Josh Hutcherson) and his anguish over his long-absent little brother. This time, his role is diminished to that of a sidekick while his younger sister Abby (Piper Rubio) recklessly attempts to reconnect with her ghostly friends, and his sort-of girlfriend Vanessa (Elizabeth Lail) struggles with the hidden truths of her past that weren’t resolved previously.

You see, the Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza location central to the first film was part of a franchise, and the original site has its own mysteries. Ahead of its time, this possessed pizza establishment possesses WiFi-enabled devices, enabling its animatronic toys to function remotely through one exceedingly vengeful spirit — and escape the restaurant.

In a flashback to 1982, unfortunate Charlotte, dressed in black and white stripes with a moody haircut, was just a child when she was murdered before an audience of indifferent parents. (The ’80s were truly wild.) Naturally, this baby emo’s spirit clung to her beloved animatronic at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, a black-and-white character named Marionette.

This haunted animatronic resembles a blend of Slenderman and the Insane Clown Posse, processed through the child-friendly gaze of Tim Burton. Which is humorously eerie for a children’s attraction, but also quite reflective of the ’80s, when Cabbage Patch Kids and Chuck E. Cheese were everywhere. On a quest to exact revenge on the town that allowed her demise, Charlotte/Marionette deploys her own battalion of Freddy and friends bots. It’s up to Vanessa and Mike to salvage the situation, along with Abby, who remains inexplicably trusting of unsettling androids. But this time, they will receive certain third-act assistance from some recognizable (and fuzzy) figures.

*Five Nights at Freddy’s 2* is mild, even for PG-13.

This is a PG-13 horror franchise. I understand that. However, for all its horror potential, *Five Nights at Freddy’s 2* tends to be exceedingly mild. *M3GAN* was PG-13 and showcased a body count, as well as murder sequences that left audiences gasping and laughing. *Gremlins* was PG and provided nerve-wracking tension and a climactic moment so grotesque it haunted a generation of kids. *Five Nights at Freddy’s 2* features off-screen violence, a few jump scares, and the repetitive gag of the Marionette scuttling toward the screen.

Perhaps this suffices to satisfy children. But honestly, they deserve more. This summer, the PG-rated *Sketch* demonstrated that a film for kids can deliver frightening monsters and a narrative with a significant message about intense emotions and family. *Five Nights at Freddy’s 2* is merely a disjointed collection of scenes that too frequently feel like filler or completely absurd.

Some of it involves horror clichés, like someone hearing or seeing something eerie and reacting with sluggishness rivaling that of a tortoise. You’ve fallen into