Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare is the third entry in Jagged Edge Productions’ Twisted Childhood Universe, following Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey and its sequel. It is one of several upcoming horror films (from Jagged Edge and other studios) featuring beloved childhood characters now in the public domain. While some of these films may be easy money grabs, others will strive to produce a solid horror film. Fortunately, Peter Pan lands on the latter side of the aisle.
Martin Portlock plays Peter Pan, a disfigured man attempting to earn his entrance into Neverland. With a performance that blends Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker, Bill Skarsgård’s Pennywise, and Ethan Hawke’s The Grabber, he kidnaps boys and promises to take them to the fantasy world. Tinker Bell (Kit Green) sincerely believes in Peter’s promises and looks after his “Lost Boys.” However, following the kidnapping of Michael Darling (Peter DeSouza-Feighoney), she realizes she may not know the whole truth.
While writer-director Scott Chambers, who starred in Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2, chose to make a psychological slasher, he cleverly toys with reality just enough to leave things open-ended. Is something more supernatural going on here, or is this a man suffering from Peter Pan Syndrome brought on by childhood trauma? Until we get a sequel, these questions will be for the viewer to decide.

Although Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare has a larger budget than Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey, it is still a low-budget production. Chambers made good use of every dollar and wasn’t afraid to utilize multiple locations, which elevated production. Peter and Kit’s residence is chaotically filthy and layered in grime, making you want to shower. This atmosphere also permeates other settings, including a dark party shop and a nightmarish circus. Even in more comfortable surroundings, the atmosphere is dense and confining.
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The performances are of a higher caliber than you might expect from a public-domain horror. Some of the supporting cast was a bit weaker, which was sometimes distracting, but the main cast carried the film well. Kit Green was beautifully tragic as Tinker Bell, an innocent soul lost to drug addiction and a madman. Martin Portlock’s portrayal of Peter Pan is hauntingly dark and sinister, making this a terrifying and memorable installment in the Twisted Childhood Universe.
More than just a cash grab, Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare is a brutal, twisted retelling of the classic tale. Even if you didn’t enjoy the first two entries in the universe, this might be up your alley. Fans looking for a less serious spin on the fanciful story may be disappointed. There is very little humor or whimsy to be found.
The film will have a three-day theatrical run from January 13th to January 15th. Be sure to check out our interviews with Scott Chambers and Rhys Frake-Waterfield, as well as stars Martin Portlock and Kit Green.