Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare (2025): Review and Summary | A Blend Of Pennywise and Heath Ledger’s Joker Creates A Fright

Spoiler Alert: This summary and review likely contain spoilers. Additionally, some images and text may include affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission or receive products if you make a purchase.

Plot Summary

In “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare,” the focus is on Peter Pan, a man who, for decades, has hunted children, specifically boys, especially boys who seem to be part of the LGBT+ community. This is perhaps why many of them like the idea of Neverland and how Peter tries to coax them.

However, Peter is the type who doesn’t take no for an answer well and will kidnap a kid if he sees something in them and thinks they’d enjoy Neverland more than the life they currently have. This leads to Michael being Peter’s latest target and Wendy doing what she can to rescue her little brother.

Film Details

Film Length	1 Hour 29 Minutes
Release Date	January 13, 2025
Initially Available On/Via	Theatrical
Advisory Rating	Not Rated
Genre(s)	Crime, Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Young Adult, LGBT+
Distributor	Iconic Events Releasing, ITN Distribution
Director	Scott Chambers
Writer	Scott Chambers , Rhys Frake-Waterfield , J.M. Barrie
Based On Work By	J. M. Barrie
Actor(s)	Martin Portlock, Peter DeSouza-Feighoney, Megan Placito, Kit Green

Content Information

• Dialog: Cursing, Derogatory Language
• Violence: Violence Against Children, Gore, Blood, Torture, Self-Harm, Notable Fight Scenes, Domestic Violence
• Sexual Content: Nudity (Mild – Backside and front)
• Miscellaneous: Depiction of Corpses, Body Horror, Drug Use, Smoking

External Links

• Official Site Link
• Find This & Associated Merchandise On Amazon

Character Descriptions

Peter Pan (Martin Portlock)

With a bad childhood, Peter already had issues he struggled to deal with. However, by 17, feeling rejected and wanting escape, he sought others who wanted the same, and he went between granting that wish or asking them to join him. This was how he operated. But, as time went on and things seemingly got better for kids who may not have read as straight, it seemed Peter didn’t see the progress made but saw it as a ruse, and thinking he knew better, he still operated as if the worst would happen to any queer kid trying to be themselves.

Michael (Peter DeSouza-Feighoney)

Michael is shy, only has one friend at school, and it appears most people, outside of his mom, forget his birthday. But despite life being far from perfect, Michael doesn’t appear depressed and actually enjoys life more than many expect him to.

• The actor is also known for their role in “The Pope’s Exorcist.”

Wendy (Megan Placito)

With a boyfriend and dreams of living in London, Wendy’s head is a bit in the clouds. However, one reality check after another pops her bubble, and she faces an unforgiving reality.

Tinkerbell (Kit Green)

Tinkerbell is Peter’s right hand and has lived with him for decades. She doesn’t seem to partake in taking people to Neverland, but she does help take care of the kids before that happens. It is worth questioning if she and Peter are lovers.

Review

Our Rating (81/100): Positive (Worth Seeing)

With each entry of the “Twisted Childhood” universe, you see less of a desire to rely heavily on a character who has newly joined the public domain and to tap into a different angle of their story. “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare” is no different. It seeks to see Peter Pan beyond some whimsical figure and remind you how weird and potentially twisted the character is and how sanitized the version of the character has become despite many questionable actions and parts of their story.

Highlights

The Sense That The Goal Here Is To Make Something Akin To The Grimm Fairytales

With each entry in the “Twisted Childhood” universe, there is a need to wonder if there is something truly beyond using characters, newly in the public domain, and looking for a quick pop by making them a horrific monster. I’d submit, especially after “Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2” that Rhys Frake-Waterfield, who strictly takes on a producing role for “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare,” maybe what they are trying to do is produce something akin to the Grimms tale of these iconic characters?

Maybe, similar to the spark that led to “Wicked,” which is essentially the dark version of “The Wizard of Oz,” what we see with Peter Pan is someone who saw the dark side of an iconic figure and wanted to explore it. After all, an eternal child who comes into people’s rooms and takes them far away to a place they may never escape unless they get pixie dust from Tinkerbell? Doesn’t that sound like a kidnapper to you? Never mind, didn’t you ever question what went on in the lives of those who became the Lost Boys before Peter found them?

The more you think about it, the more you can understand why these films are created—Disney already sanitized many tales with dark stories, like “The Little Mermaid,” so why not amplify the dark or questionable bits and go the opposite direction?

How Gruesome This Is

From what Peter does to Wendy’s stupidity, you may find yourself flinching or grimacing watching this. This may come as a surprise since Blood and Honey already set the tone for the “Twisted Childhood” universe. But with “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare,” you don’t get 70s or 80s slasher, but rather that 90s horror, and I almost want to question if that is the goal here.

For, as noted in the overview, Portlock gives Pennywise vibes, and with the Tim Curry version coming out in 1990, I wonder if the long-term goal of the “Twisted Childhood” universe isn’t just to bring a dark version of childhood tales but also pay homage to the horror movies and icons of those behind the “Twisted Childhood” universe? Some are perhaps more obvious than others, but they still gave that sense of violence that gave nightmares to you, a friend, or a family member who wasn’t old enough to watch something.

The Surprise LGBT+ Elements

In some ways, Peter Pan seemingly preying on kids who present as queer could be seen as problematic. Yet, it is also pushed Peter Pan is queer himself, and maybe, no pun intended, pansexual. The odd relationship he and Tinkerbell have, with Tinkerbell presenting as trans or non-binary, makes you think further about how Peter is being presented, how he chooses his victims, and the meaning behind it all.

Going to Neverland is presented as a means to escape pain and rejection and go to a forever happy place. In his mind, you can imagine Peter seeing himself as the merciful angel of death to these kids, all who appear to not even be teenagers yet. And while Peter’s own backstory isn’t dived into much, it does touch on issues of abuse by his mother, which makes you wonder, with a love of makeup and being eccentric, if his mom was trying to beat what she saw as the gay out of him?

Again, a lot of “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare” pushes the idea that it can be seen as more than a horror movie starring an iconic childhood character. But if I were to remove the initial high of watching this, I must admit it doesn’t take our thoughts and theories far enough to make them appear canon and not just a theory.

On The Fence

Wendy Will Get On Your Nerves

Wendy is tasked with recusing her brother and stopping Peter Pan, and boy, does she not make it easy to root for her. Now, mind you, she is a teenager still gaining common sense, among other things. But the ways she sets herself up to be injured, chased, maimed, and more will make you want to yell at the screen.

What To Check Out Next

Check out our movies page for our latest movie reviews and recommendations.