There's a lot of potential here with this movie it's got sort of a unique take on the bad child theme it's a combination of the exorcist the omen and a couple other films that deal with similar but it's quite hard to tell what the heck is going on since everything is so dark there are times when there's action happening on the screen and the screen appears to be completely black if this was intentional it was a poor choice it's just so darn I see anything that it's hard to get too involved in it
46 Reviews
Solid Snack
Tweetienator11 March 2020
Some nice settings and visuals (manor house, old cemetary, Italian landscape) and a decent production make this one an okay movie - if your are interested in haunted house and evil spirit stories. The weak side of Cruel Peter is the story - more or less your typical story without any great surprises. Anyway, for the decent production and the good actors I rate this one a well deserved 5. Recommended for the hardcore lover of the genre who is in great need for a little snack.
A strange jumble of a movie
cbnewham16 June 2020
A film that starts of well, with a fairly long period before things start happening, but then it just goes off the rails. It's as if the scriptwriter wanted to be lazy and use all the regular horror tropes, but then tried to make it appear different.
The result is a mish-mash of things, and the ending just makes no sense.
There is too much reliance on characters doing or saying things, that no normal person in the situation would do or say, in order to set up events. This always strikes me as lazy story-telling.
I'm giving it 5 for being reasonably well-acted and for at least trying to make use of the locations and sets.
The result is a mish-mash of things, and the ending just makes no sense.
There is too much reliance on characters doing or saying things, that no normal person in the situation would do or say, in order to set up events. This always strikes me as lazy story-telling.
I'm giving it 5 for being reasonably well-acted and for at least trying to make use of the locations and sets.
It's too dark.
rrffppnnkk25 August 2020
The film is too dark. Not thematically, not figuratively, but literally *visually* too dark. Everything is too dark. It is so dark that it should be called 'Dark Peter.' The nighttime scenes are too dark; the daylight is too dark; interior and exterior shots alike are equally sodden with a filter of synthetic dusk-like gloom.
Perhaps the grader deliberately made it so dark to hide the plodding story, or the lugubrious tone, or the somnambulant editing. It was nice to see characters using BSL - a shame their doing so was obscured by a permanent shroud of (presumably) unintentional murk.
If you like looking at the world thru tights, or sunglasses at night, or a tea-hued gauze, you might enjoy this. But, even then...
Perhaps the grader deliberately made it so dark to hide the plodding story, or the lugubrious tone, or the somnambulant editing. It was nice to see characters using BSL - a shame their doing so was obscured by a permanent shroud of (presumably) unintentional murk.
If you like looking at the world thru tights, or sunglasses at night, or a tea-hued gauze, you might enjoy this. But, even then...
You Can't Kill The Dead.
wandernn1-81-68327418 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
So there's some kid in some huge mansion. He sees something or someone outside, and wanders out there to look for his...rival? He gets hit in the back of the head with a shovel, and wakes to find himself buried alive.
Next we have some dude and his daughter and he finds some book on 'spirits' hidden in her room. Why he was looking in her room?? Who knows! He's given a lead on a restoration project in Sicily, and he takes his daughter there. Guess we are covering a lot of ground quickly.
Ahh cool the restoration project is a CEMETERY! What could possibly go wrong??? And what a huge old cemetery it is also.
Daughter also has to go to school.
In the cemetery they dig up a grave of a young boy? And find a box with toys meant to be taken to the next life. Among them a knife that the dad seems to be quite taken with.
Daughter likes to play with crystals and trying to communicate with spirits. I guess she's trying to reach her dead mother. Oh I have a feeling that I know who she's going to contact instead!!!!
Dad starts researching into Peter, the boy they dug up. Dad starts talking to his assistant in a bar, over drinks. About how his wife died in an accident.
Then bizarre woman shows up in the woods chasing dude's daughter around for fun. Reminds dad of fun times with his wife so he decides to watch some old home movies. While out on the road exploring Dad just happens upon that huge estate where the boy was at the movie beginning. Apparently this huge mansion is open to the public for exploration by flashlight!!!!
-1 Star finally for that little tidbit of plot brilliance.
But he gets to meet the family historian while exploring!! He learns about Peter and Alfredo. Apparently Peter was a mean little SOB, who killed his own father because he wanted his mother to himself.
Then we find Liz who apparently now has some mad strength and is trying to kill fools. Dad comes home to find Liz being spirited over and accused of being possessed. Dad shouts oh hell no we're going home to London right now!!! But then he finds Liz does really seem to be possessed by Peter.
Oh does Liz now have telekinetic powers as well? Something tosses Dad around like a rag doll.
Some cool old lady vs. witch stuff starts to happen. +1 Star for that because that was creepy. Haha
And it appears the final showdown will be back at the cemetery. Some creepy stuff happens at the end but not really enough to affect the score. This one just ends with a 5/10
Next we have some dude and his daughter and he finds some book on 'spirits' hidden in her room. Why he was looking in her room?? Who knows! He's given a lead on a restoration project in Sicily, and he takes his daughter there. Guess we are covering a lot of ground quickly.
Ahh cool the restoration project is a CEMETERY! What could possibly go wrong??? And what a huge old cemetery it is also.
Daughter also has to go to school.
In the cemetery they dig up a grave of a young boy? And find a box with toys meant to be taken to the next life. Among them a knife that the dad seems to be quite taken with.
Daughter likes to play with crystals and trying to communicate with spirits. I guess she's trying to reach her dead mother. Oh I have a feeling that I know who she's going to contact instead!!!!
Dad starts researching into Peter, the boy they dug up. Dad starts talking to his assistant in a bar, over drinks. About how his wife died in an accident.
Then bizarre woman shows up in the woods chasing dude's daughter around for fun. Reminds dad of fun times with his wife so he decides to watch some old home movies. While out on the road exploring Dad just happens upon that huge estate where the boy was at the movie beginning. Apparently this huge mansion is open to the public for exploration by flashlight!!!!
-1 Star finally for that little tidbit of plot brilliance.
But he gets to meet the family historian while exploring!! He learns about Peter and Alfredo. Apparently Peter was a mean little SOB, who killed his own father because he wanted his mother to himself.
Then we find Liz who apparently now has some mad strength and is trying to kill fools. Dad comes home to find Liz being spirited over and accused of being possessed. Dad shouts oh hell no we're going home to London right now!!! But then he finds Liz does really seem to be possessed by Peter.
Oh does Liz now have telekinetic powers as well? Something tosses Dad around like a rag doll.
Some cool old lady vs. witch stuff starts to happen. +1 Star for that because that was creepy. Haha
And it appears the final showdown will be back at the cemetery. Some creepy stuff happens at the end but not really enough to affect the score. This one just ends with a 5/10
Why must things be this way (visually dark)?
borgolarici22 May 2021
I would have liked to talk about the plot more but the screen is almost completely black most of the time. It's barely watchable.
I love the idea behind the plot, the characters were interesting and the Italian setting was refreshing, but It was literally impossible to discern what was happening on screen most of the times.
I love the idea behind the plot, the characters were interesting and the Italian setting was refreshing, but It was literally impossible to discern what was happening on screen most of the times.
WEAK PLOT AND POOR CINEMATOGRAPHY
mcknight-3533014 April 2020
In an attempt to create the perfect horror film mood, the movie was left too dark and almost hard to watch. There were scenes one saw nothing but just heard the dialogue.
The story could have been better written especially since it was connected to a real life event. A lot of unanswered questions and inconclusive end to some of the characters.
Great script however
eventlaunch19 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
We need to talk about the problem with modern movie making and directors - Here we have a great script and really some very unsettling creepy horrific elements that create great horror moments within the movie but what messes it up is bad acting poor direction and underdeveloped characters, take the dad absolutely abismal seems to only have two expressions abrupt anger for no apparent reason and having a poo type expression trying to act bewildered add to add dumb actions that makes you want to punch him in the face and you have your first problem as to why this movie fails. Now let's go to the main girl in the movie shes literally got the burden of carrying the burden of the movie and is she successful like the actress in exorcist? Hell no shes terrible at expressing her character like shes only there for a pay day absolutely no sign of dedication to the part and finally the poor direction I mean the supporting cast had great roles and could have won us over if they tried or got directed well now even with these flaws I did enjoy the script and the fact they left it open for a sequel so I hope the executives in charge give the helms to at least a competent director recast the dumb actors for dedicated ones and we should have the great movie cruel peter failed to be
Modern film making is bad if this movie got made in 60's or 70's it would be a classic we would all still be watching and talking about like rosemary's baby damn
Not bad, A family based horror film packed with some creepy moments to entertain.
crystalclearmovies2 March 2020
Definitely a slow burn that picks up about an hour in. A possession horror that has sort of a family vibe especially the acting a lot creepier but along the lines of a lifetime movie. But as I said once "Cruel Peter" settles down and that softness dissipates and it really gets kinda creepy. It's sort of by the numbers though albeit a good storyline but heavily stamped with predictability. The special effects are pretty good, not great but between talking and walking rotting corpses, climbing on walls and demons voicing their dismay it should be enough satisfy the hunger for the average horror fan. I should note though that the film also suffers from some iso camera issues too many scenes were a bit too dark to fully enjoy but the effort is widely acceptable. I would recommend this film for mild horror lovers I'm more of a "Hereditary" "Midsommer" or "The Witch" fan so it didn't pierce my fear meter at all but for my mom or a kid under 15 it might be enough to make them reach for the lights.
What's the point of calling it "Cruel Peter"?
pzct8 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
So Cruel Peter...Yeah. Not all that good.
For starters
What's the point of calling the movie Cruel Peter? They only showed 5-10 minutes of Peter being cruel before they kill him off. And he's only did 3 or 4 cruel things. But the movie was going a bit too fast to the point where I didn't have time to hate him.
Cruel Things he did:
-Burn an animal
-Killed someone's dog and threatened them
-I think he hit someone
(All I can remember. It might have been 4)
Those cruel things went a bit fast. So I just felt bad when he killed. Now, I like the actors. How a father tries to get along with his deaf daughter, which was difficult. But this is the problem I have with the movie:
You call it Cruel Peter, but it's just another supernatural movie. That's the problem. It's just another someone started doing something, awoken some ghost or something, and that ghost attacks or possess someone. Just that simple
Sooo The Father and his daughter Liz move into a new house, Peter's old one. Liz messes with some kind of Ouija type thing to talk to her dead mom. But she talks to someone else instead...Aka...Peter. she sees him and Peter eventually possess her. But again, Its just like any other possession.
Maybe it could have been better if They showed a longer time of Peter being Cruel. Like, Have maybe 20 or 30 minutes of Peter being cruel so the audience can hate him. Then, Have a Timeskip where Peter comes back and possess somebody, where he can continue to be cruel, But maybe even go far and kill somebody.
But again, There were a few parts I give the movie credit for. But overall...Basic Horror Trope. Why not just call the movie Peter?
Those cruel things went a bit fast. So I just felt bad when he killed. Now, I like the actors. How a father tries to get along with his deaf daughter, which was difficult. But this is the problem I have with the movie:
You call it Cruel Peter, but it's just another supernatural movie. That's the problem. It's just another someone started doing something, awoken some ghost or something, and that ghost attacks or possess someone. Just that simple
Sooo The Father and his daughter Liz move into a new house, Peter's old one. Liz messes with some kind of Ouija type thing to talk to her dead mom. But she talks to someone else instead...Aka...Peter. she sees him and Peter eventually possess her. But again, Its just like any other possession.
Maybe it could have been better if They showed a longer time of Peter being Cruel. Like, Have maybe 20 or 30 minutes of Peter being cruel so the audience can hate him. Then, Have a Timeskip where Peter comes back and possess somebody, where he can continue to be cruel, But maybe even go far and kill somebody.
But again, There were a few parts I give the movie credit for. But overall...Basic Horror Trope. Why not just call the movie Peter?
A RETURN TO GOTHIC CLASSIC HORROR
manurebros6 March 2020
The sets and mood of this film alone are worth the watch.
Its not for everyone , especially if you are looking for blood and guts mindless slasher tripe.
This a very dark, brooding, slow burn horror that builds slowly and delivers without jump scares and other cheap tricks of the so-called ' horror' of today.
This excellent film recalls more cerebral older films like 'The Haunting' (1963) or 'The legend of Hell House' (1973).
Very Good Mood building photography ,Very Creepy wonderful sets , Adequate actors - One to watch jn the dark.
Another possession movie but not that bad.
deloudelouvain29 October 2021
When I wrote this review the score for Cruel Peter was 4.8 on IMDb. In my opinion that's a bit harsh. It deserves a higher rating. The production is more than decent, with some good cinematography, dark but clear images which gave it a dark ambiance. The acting could have been better from some of the actors but overal it wasn't bad. The story is a possession story so something we've all seen before but still it's entertaining. There are some creepy moments, but nothing terrific. Overal Cruel Peter is worth a watch if you're into that kind of movies.
Just squint
kuarinofu4 August 2021
Cruel Peter is a very flawed film that probably had some potential.
Its upsides are the production quality (except the CGI), music, and a couple of creative scenes.
Everything else is either underdeveloped for reasons unknown or suggests a kind of indifferent attitude towards the film.
For example, the film ignores important details and small things, which, by the way, are the building blocks of a good story. Like accents, looks, and at least, in some sense, some historical background.
The film is also overloaded with scenes that don't contribute to anything, some of these are 2-3 seconds long, and nobody says a word.
The acting wasn't so good either. Probably result in the direction. Richard Armitage-looking lead was constantly overacting, while his daughter mostly looked confused. Good effort by the Italian cast though, I wish the film had more of them.
While the visual style was interesting and added some flavor, for about 80% of the film, you can't even see it too much. The film is very, very dark. You can barely see anything at times. Half of the time, I wasn't even sure if it's day or night in a particular scene.
Overall, if the story was more creative and actually could get me hooked, I could turn a blind eye to the above problems. But in its current state, it just doesn't work.
Its upsides are the production quality (except the CGI), music, and a couple of creative scenes.
Everything else is either underdeveloped for reasons unknown or suggests a kind of indifferent attitude towards the film.
For example, the film ignores important details and small things, which, by the way, are the building blocks of a good story. Like accents, looks, and at least, in some sense, some historical background.
The film is also overloaded with scenes that don't contribute to anything, some of these are 2-3 seconds long, and nobody says a word.
The acting wasn't so good either. Probably result in the direction. Richard Armitage-looking lead was constantly overacting, while his daughter mostly looked confused. Good effort by the Italian cast though, I wish the film had more of them.
While the visual style was interesting and added some flavor, for about 80% of the film, you can't even see it too much. The film is very, very dark. You can barely see anything at times. Half of the time, I wasn't even sure if it's day or night in a particular scene.
Overall, if the story was more creative and actually could get me hooked, I could turn a blind eye to the above problems. But in its current state, it just doesn't work.
Bored to death.
kizzie_nikita24 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I went into this with no hopes at all, i watched it because i quite frankly couldn't find anything else i hadn't seen.
This movie is so god darn slow!
The start is eerie, they try and set a unsettling situation but the first scene with the little boy was quite cringe and if anything really bad acting! I'm not sure if the main male actor is just a terrible actor, or was meant to be played this way due to his interesting personality.
I had a flicker of excitement when he was forced into the coffin in hopes we wouldn't have to see him much again, which for a little while was pretty great.
I started to dislike this less after the start but after about 35 mins i decided to call it quits and find something else.
Over all incredibly boring, slow and not watch a watch.
The start is eerie, they try and set a unsettling situation but the first scene with the little boy was quite cringe and if anything really bad acting! I'm not sure if the main male actor is just a terrible actor, or was meant to be played this way due to his interesting personality.
I had a flicker of excitement when he was forced into the coffin in hopes we wouldn't have to see him much again, which for a little while was pretty great.
I started to dislike this less after the start but after about 35 mins i decided to call it quits and find something else.
Over all incredibly boring, slow and not watch a watch.
very boring
jcroak-181742 August 2020
The writings always on the wall and yet stupid decisions are always made.
LordCommandar3 March 2020
Dude you and your daughter are seeing dead people and your daughter is finally overtaken by a evil entity, an old lady is about to save her and your dumbass stops it from it happening? The writing is always on the wall with these films and stupid ass decisions are always made by the parents of their possessed children. I'm so tired of lthis lame ass story telling. A very predictable and very forgettable film. Another dumbass father trying to save his daughter so called horror film.....next.
Cruel Trick Played On Viewers!!!
zac-682743 March 2020
Awful
heatherlyinn-630-3387579 August 2020
Old school scary!
abevillarosa24 May 2020
worst movie in 2020
NijazBaBs6 March 2020
I am disappointed by this movie, has almost nothing to do with it's title. Not explained. Not clear. Not realistic. Although there are definitely movies with worst actors, stories, and effects, the fact that effects are not looking so real or convincing us into believing in anything, this one is not better anything. No connections, reasons, causes, purpose. Actors except looking somewhat hot and real, are not good either. But I think the worst is the story. I think if story was better, actors could show their skills, and looks more interesting and realistic. I did not watch worse movie or horror in 2020 so far, but did few released earlier. Not recommended to watch. Waste of time. Negative, boring and sick.
Beautifully done!
adamssuzan30 March 2020
Beautifully done horror movie! Has a nice story line that is meaningful unlike the useless horror movies that come out these days. It kept us on edge and is a great example of a meaningful horrr movie. I hope they make a part 2!
Dark Sicilian Tale
Pairic28 June 2020
Cruel Peter: Sicily 1908, Peter is a nasty little git, his rich English mother lets him get away with anything. He slashes a servant girl's face with a razor, tortures animals, buries the dog of tenant boys alive. An incipient serial killer but one of the boys strikes back and buries Peter alive. An Earthquake strikes Messina, thousands are dead, Peter is forgotten about. The present day, a widowed English archaeologist, Norman and his troubled teen daughter Liz arrive in the city. She has interest in occult, has a crystal ball., more like an ouija board and seeks to contact her mother. Norman is excavating a Gothic cemetery when he unearths a box with items belonging to Peter. Liz has visions of Peter, while she sleeps the crystal ball whirls of its own accord. Instead of her mum she summons up cruel peter! We get poltergeist effects, personality changes, hands emerging from a sink, ghosts, local peasant superstitions, a scary caretaker, witchcraft, necromancy. The Gothic cemetery is quite impressive, especially the creepy crypts.and great cinematography, mostly in dark or shadows.A slow paced and moody Gothic tale which doesn't quite achieve everything it apparently sets out to but certainly a passable horror film. 6/10. On Netflix
One of the worst movies I have ever seen
mge110824 March 2020
Same type of haunting
driger_rules886 September 2020
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