Don’t let that music box run out of power unless you want a visit from FNAF’s Puppet. A black and white marionette puppet with hollow eyes, a wide smile, and tears streaming down its face, the Puppet is certainly a creepy sight to behold. But underneath that mask, there’s a lot more going on than meets the eye. The lore surrounding Five Nights at Freddy’s is vast and intricate, drawing players into a world filled with complex characters and haunting stories.
Five Nights at Freddy’s has a huge well of lore to explore, and we’re here to help you during your deep dives. We’ve got guides to some of the series’ most important characters like FNAF Chica, FNAF Foxy, and FNAF Vanessa. Or if you fancy preparing yourself to relive the scares, check out our list of all the FNAF jumpscares or our guide to the FNAF movie.
Here’s everything you need to know about FNAF’s Puppet.
Who is FNAF’s Puppet?
The FNAF Puppet, also known as the Marionette and the Security Puppet, is one of the main antagonists in Five Nights at Freddy’s 2. As well as checking the security cameras to keep track of the roaming animatronics, the security guard has to continually wind up a music box to keep the Puppet from attacking. This adds a layer of strategy as players must balance monitoring the animatronics and ensuring the music box remains powered.
Although the Puppet acts as an antagonist in FNAF 2, its later appearances show that it has a more heroic side and wants to protect children from falling victim to the same fate as it did. This duality makes the Puppet a fascinating character within the FNAF lore.
What is the Puppet’s name?
Based on various clues from the books and games in the FNAF franchise, we’ve come to the conclusion that the spirit possessing FNAF’s Puppet is Charlotte Emily. Charlotte was Henry Emily’s daughter and his business partner William Afton’s first victim. The tragic backstory adds emotional depth to the Puppet's character.
In the game's minigames, it is revealed that Charlotte was locked out of the restaurant, leading to her demise at the hands of William Afton. Many believe the bluish-purple streaks on the Puppet’s mask represent her tears, a haunting reminder of her story.
Henry believes that his daughter’s soul is trapped within the Puppet. He even goes so far as to lure the Puppet to capture it using Lefty, a malfunctioning bear animatronic designed to entrap the Puppet. This connection between father and daughter adds a poignant layer to the narrative.
He says, “I should have known you wouldn’t be content to disappear, not my daughter. I couldn’t save you then, so let me save you now. It’s time to rest, for you, and for those you have carried in your arms.” This speech reinforces the Puppet's role as both a protector and a tragic figure.
What is the Puppet’s personality?
In FNAF 2, the Puppet is aggressive and intent on attacking and murdering the security guard. However, in later minigames, we see a more heroic side of the Puppet, shepherding the souls of the missing children and helping them seek revenge. This transformation from a mere antagonist to a protective figure showcases the complexity of the Puppet's character.
Technically, before Charlotte’s spirit possessed the Puppet, it had no personality of its own as it was simply a puppet rather than an animatronic. Henry Emily’s comments in Pizzeria Simulator reveal that it’s in his daughter’s nature to protect the innocent. This connection between the Puppet and Charlotte is a crucial element in the FNAF story.
What are the different Puppet versions?
The Puppet is one of the few major FNAF characters that doesn’t have a huge variety of versions, but there are still some notable ones for you to know. Each version offers a unique perspective on the character and contributes to the overall lore.
The Puppet
This is the first incarnation of the Puppet we see in the games, appearing in FNAF 2 as a jumpscare triggered by letting the music box run out. This terrifying moment has become iconic among fans of the series.
Phantom Puppet
The Phantom Puppet is a hallucination of a burnt Puppet that you encounter in FNAF 3 when working in the Fazbear Frights attraction. Its eyes are lit up, creating a chilling effect that heightens the intensity of the game.
Security Puppet
The Security Puppet first appears in Pizzeria Simulator. It is likely the original form of the Puppet that Charlotte goes on to possess. The design aims to keep children safe inside the restaurant by warning their parents if they get too close to the door.
Nightmarionne
This gangly character is a nightmare version of the Puppet that you encounter in Ultimate Custom Night as one of the nightmare antagonists. Its eerie appearance adds to the tension and horror of the game.
Lefty
While he’s not the Puppet, Lefty exists
