Scott Chambers is a busy filmmaker who has clearly honed a formula reminiscent of Master P’s approach to the music industry. Much like the iconic New Orleans rapper and mogul, Chambers is building an empire—this time with the ever-expanding “Poohniverse.” The latest entry in his slate of twisted reimaginings is Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare. While the imagery and themes may stretch the connection to J.M. Barrie’s classic story, the execution is straightforward: grimy, unsettling, and unapologetically violent. And on those fronts, the film delivers.
Love it or hate it, the Poohniverse is here to stay—and frankly, I’m all for it. Horror appeals to many sensibilities, but at its core, carnage and chaos reign supreme. It’s easy to dismiss these films as mere spectacle, but the format works. Like Damien Leone’s Terrifier franchise, Chambers’ films are short, direct, and packed with ultraviolence. The storytelling might be secondary to the spectacle, but the appeal lies in its unapologetic approach to mayhem.
I’ll admit, I was skeptical about the premise of Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare. A “white trash kidnapping heroin” angle tied to Neverland sounded both bizarre and intriguing. Chambers takes the dark undertones of Barrie’s original work and amplifies them into a nightmarish after-school special gone awry. Kit Green as Tinkerbell and Martin Portlock as Peter Pan form an oddly compelling duo, delivering the kind of performances that make this twisted world believable. Their roles also tie into the larger Poohniverse, leaving me curious to see how their stories connect with other characters down the line.
This film doesn’t give you time to settle—it’s blood-soaked and menacing from the opening moments. The focus on gore and dismemberment instantly recalls the vibe of late-night drive-in slashers. For “hardcore horror” fans, Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare offers exactly what they’re looking for: relentless carnage, absurd chaos, and a complete lack of apology for its brutality. The ridiculousness of the mayhem is part of its charm, as are the ways it desecrates cherished childhood icons.
That said, some viewers may find the themes unsettling, especially given the involvement of children in the narrative. However, the darker elements of Peter Pan are inherent in the original story—they’re just not presented as devastatingly as they are here.
Ultimately, Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare met and even exceeded my expectations. As long as these films continue to embrace their ridiculous themes of carnage and chaos, what’s not to enjoy? While some may dismiss them as silly, I see a filmmaker who has cracked the code for delivering this universe to us in droves.
Rating: 2.5/5
Directed by Scott Chambers
Starring Martin Portlock, Kit Green, Megan Placito, Peter DeSouza-Feighoney and Hardy Yusuf
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