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TheFive Nights At Freddy’sseries is home to many blood-curdling horrors, ranging from child-murdering serial killers tonightmare-inducing haunted animatronics. However, one of the most frightening aspects of the FNAF universe comes from an unlikely place: springlock suits.
Despite only appearing a handful of times, springlock suits play a vital role in the games, novels, and the FNAF movie. While they seem to be innocent costumes at first glance, a closer look reveals the bone-chilling nature of these terrifying death traps and their part in the villain’s backstory. So, what are springlock suits? How do they work? And why are they so important to the FNAF lore?
What Are Springlock Suits?
Springlock suits are introduced in FNAF 3, thanks to the training tapes provided by Phone Guy. During the second night, he explains thatspringlock suits are hybrid machines that act as both animatronics and costumes.
While in animatronic mode,a springlock suit can move on its own. Each one is programmed to walk toward any sound they hear, ensuring the animatronic is always near a group of children for entertainment purposes.
This aspect of the springlock suits can be seen firsthand in FNAF 3, where you can lure Springtrap to different parts of Fazebear Frights by playing audio recordings through the building’s speakers.
In addition, springlock suits are designed soperformers can climb inside and wear them as costumes. This is the method of disguise used by William Afton (A.K.A Purple Guy) to abduct children and commit murder in the games, novels,and the FNAF movie.
How Do Springlock Suits Work?
As detailed in night two of FNAF 3, each springlock suit comes with a hand crank. When turned,the crank recoils and compresses the animatronic mechanismsaround the sides of the suit, creating space for a performer to climb inside.
The suits use springs to retract the robotic parts, which can be fastened in place using several locks inside the costume - thus, the name “springlock suits.” However, this feature comes with a gruesome catch.
Are Springlock Suits Dangerous?
Springlock suits are incredibly unsafe to use since it’sshockingly easy for the locks to loosen, releasing the animatronic machinery and trapping you inside.
On the third night of FNAF 3, Phone Guy explains thatany type of moisture or contact is enough to release the springlocks. This means touching, nudging, or simply breathing on the locks can unleash the animatronic parts.
If that wasn’t frightening enough, Five Nights At Freddy’s Sister Location hints that the springlocks are even flimsier than that. During night four, Circus Baby says thateven the thumping of a heartbeat can cause the locks to come undone.
Due to the dangerous nature of the springlock suits,Fazbear Entertainment eventually discontinued them after a horrific accident, as mentioned by Phone Guy during the fourth night of FNAF 3.
While it’s unclear how many exist in the FNAF universe,only three springlock suits are seen or referenced throughout the series.
How Do Springlock Suits Kill You?
Springlock suits are not just dangerous; they’re deadly. The events after a springlock malfunction are detailed in the novel Five Nights At Freddy’s: The Silver Eyes.
According to the book, once the locks release, they snap at the performer inside, biting into the skin and causing severe cuts. A second later,the animatronic mechanisms spring out of their bindings and plunge into the performer’s body, puncturing the organs and resulting in a slow, painful death.
This horrifying display can be seen a few times throughout the FNAF series. The first instance occurs during the final end-of-night minigame in FNAF 3, whereWilliam Afton hides in a springlock suitto escape the vengeful spirits of his victims.
While the cause of the springlock failure is up to interpretation, the likeliest explanation is the moisture from a leak in the ceiling. Shortly after,Afton’s spirit possesses the costume, creating Springtrap, one ofthe most iconic horror villains.
Springlock suits remain one of the most fascinating elements of the FNAF lore since they simultaneously defeated the series' main villain and created its most terrifying monster. Was it poetic justice or a nightmarish mistake? It’s the perfect puzzling question for an equally mysterious story.
