'Five Nights at Freddy's 2': Finale Explained & What Will the Third Movie Be About?

Five Nights at Freddy's 2 left viewers with many questions. Its open and confusing ending set the stage for at least one more sequel.

Now, let's explore what really happened to Vanessa, why Springtrap returned, and what the plot of a potential third movie might entail.

What Is 'Five Nights at Freddy's 2' About?

One year after the events of the first movie, Mike's sister Abby returns to the pizzeria to see the animatronics she befriended, but discovers that they have disappeared.

Chica contacts Abby via a toy radio and calls for her help at the chain's first pizzeria. There, Abby is trapped by the Marionette, who is possessed by the soul of Charlotte Emily, who was the girl killed by Springtrap, and she now thirsts for revenge on all adults.

Mike and Vanessa set out to rescue Abby, facing an army of new animatronics hacked by the Marionette.

What Happened to Vanessa?

The finale held a major surprise: Charlotte's spirit, the Marionette, didn't return to the pizzeria. Instead, it possessed Vanessa.

This is explained by their special connection: Vanessa was Charlotte's only friend growing up, and she is the daughter of Charlotte's killer, William Afton.

Vanessa had kept Charlotte's spirit contained for years using a special box. However, after closing the box, the Marionette awakened. Now possessed, Vanessa will likely become the main threat in the future.

What Is Vanessa's Brother up To?

Michael, the security guard at the original pizzeria and Vanessa's brother, played a key role in the Marionette's release. Following in his father's footsteps, he deliberately orchestrated the “Ghostbusters" invasion to activate the box.

His goal was to use the animatronics to cause chaos and take over the city. Although he is knocked out at the end of the movie, his death or arrest is not shown, leaving room for his return in the sequel.

Why Did Springtrap Come Back to Life?

In a post-credits scene, a group of teenagers find William Afton's paralyzed body dressed as Springtrap in an abandoned pizzeria. Suddenly, the robot's eyes light up – the maniac's spirit has regained control.

This is possible because the original animatronics sacrificed themselves in the final battle. Thus, Springtrap returns as an independent and extremely dangerous threat.

What Will 'Five Nights at Freddy's 3' Be About?

Although there hasn't been an official announcement of a third movie, the open ending and the franchise's commercial success make it almost inevitable.

The plot will likely center on two main antagonists: Vanessa, who is possessed by the Marionette, and the revived Springtrap. A conflict between the two is also possible, as Charlotte's spirit seeks revenge on her killer.

New animatronics are also likely to appear, such as Circus Baby, who appeared briefly in Vanessa's nightmare.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Five Nights at Freddy's 2'?

• Five Nights at Freddy's 2 has 15% from critics and 87% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 5.7/10.

• On Letterboxd, Five Nights at Freddy's 2 scored 2.8/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Five Nights at Freddy's 2'?

Five Nights at Freddy's 2 is currently playing in theaters.