Sequel malfunctions like the animatronics

'Five Nights at Freddy's 2' has some fan service but is otherwise on the fritz.

- GARY GOLDSTEIN

FREDDY FAZBEAR, left, and his homicidal friends are wreaking havoc in the original flagship location of his namesake kids' restaurant in this horror sequel.

(Universal Pictures and Blumhouse)

Greenlighting a sequel to 2023's “Five Nights at Freddy's”—the mega-popular horror film based on Scott Cawthon’s hit video game franchise — was a no-brainer.

After all, the first picture grossed nearly $300 million worldwide, despite mostly poor reviews and a day-and-date release on Peacock. Propelled by a teen-friendly PG-13 rating and the game's cultish fan base, it became producer Blumhouse’s most successful release, besting company record-holders such as “Get Out,” “Split” and 2018's “Halloween.”

But “no-brainer” takes on a dual meaning when it comes to “Five Nights at Freddy's 2,” a laughably cheesy, empty-headed followup that makes the mediocre prior film shine in comparison.