Welcome to a magical place called Neverland. Neverland is a paradise that every child dreams of, where mermaids swim in the crystal-clear waters of the lagoon, boys shoot bows and arrows, and all play pirates aboard The Jolly Roger. It is a realm where fairies can grant every desire and wish, and darkness never encroaches. The children here are perpetually happy, free from rules and the constraints of parental supervision. Peter Pan rules this enchanting island, having been chosen by a mysterious higher being to ensure that the best children are invited to Neverland.
However, Peter Pan is not all he appears to be and has a dark agreement with the higher power. In the everyday world, many children have mysteriously disappeared, and one such disappearance shows us Peter Pan encountering a boy and his mother. When he is discovered in their house, the situation turns dark, revealing the truth about Peter Pan and his character as he attacks the mother and the boy. Fifteen years later, Peter Pan continues hunting for young children and convincing them to go to Neverland. Determined, he does whatever it takes to make it happen. However, as time has passed, Peter’s looks have diminished severely. He is so disfigured that he steals a mask from a local costume store.
When a teenage girl named Wendy (Megan Placito) offers to pick up her younger brother, Michael (Peter DeSouza-Feighoney), from school, she discovers that Michael has somehow vanished. Determined to find Michael and to understand what happened, Wendy begins to conduct her own investigation. She learns something evil is responsible and discovers she must confront Peter Pan before he sends Michael to Neverland permanently. But Pan isn’t the only thing standing in Wendy’s way- there’s also Tinker Bell (Kit Green). Can Wendy rescue Michael and escape the ultimate nightmare of Peter Pan and Tinkerbell?
For those who are unaware, this is not a children’s film. Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare is best described as a horror film and serves as the third instalment in what’s known as the “Poohniverse” franchise. The previous films in this franchise are titled Winnie the Pooh: Blood & Honey (2023) and Winnie the Pooh: Blood & Honey 2 (2024). Viewers do not need to watch the earlier films in the Poohniverse to understand this story, though, as it has no connection to the previous titles, it features no returning characters and it can easily stand on its own. The director, Scott Chambers, has previously worked on several projects, including Humpty Dumpty (2021), Cupid (2020), and The Bad Nun (2018), as well as acting in Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 2, where he played Christopher Robin.
The highest praise I can offer this film is for actor Martin Portlock, who presents a captivating and playful take on a horrifying version of Disney’s Peter Pan. His voice work and mannerisms evoke memories of Heath Ledger’s Joker and Pennywise, along with actors such as Christoph Waltz and Frances McDormand. The horror version of Peter Pan is a fascinating character who abducts young children in persuasive and eerie ways.
While the film begins wonderfully with an animated narration and an eerie introduction to Peter Pan, unfortunately, many details surrounding the story’s plot and Peter Pan himself remain unclear. Even as the film concludes, several elements are left uncertain. When explanations are provided throughout the story, they often feel complex and ambiguous. Sadly, the pacing slows significantly when we join Wendy on her journey of self-discovery. While the finale does offer a satisfying showdown, the action scenes—characterised by shaky camera work—make it nearly impossible to grasp what is happening entirely. This might be an intentional choice by the director. The lack of meaningful connections to the other titles in the “Poohniverse” is disappointing, undermining the film’s promotional hype.
Overall, Disney fans have never experienced a Peter Pan story quite like this one. This version features a Peter Pan who is evil, determined, and driven by a sinister desire to steal children for Neverland. Martin Portlock’s leading performance is the film’s standout aspect, and the visuals, particularly the dark tone throughout, are also impressive. However, the story is slow-paced, and key elements are vaguely explained, often feeling overly complex. By the end, I wanted more clarity and a better understanding of this world and Pan himself. As the third instalment within the Poohniverse, this film lacks connections to previous and upcoming films, which feels like a missed opportunity. The final moments also took a familiar and somewhat silly route.
Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare (2025) will be available exclusively at Hoyts Cinemas Australia on February 27th!
FILM SCORE: 4.4/10
Published: 23rd February 2025
Written by: Peter Walkden
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