The Midnight Horror: 'Cruel Peter' (2019)

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I know, I know—I'm a day late on my reviews, but hang in there with me; life has its way of throwing curveballs. Anyway, let's talk about my next Midnight Horror pick: Cruel Peter, a sinister gem from 2019 that crossed the pond to the USA in March 2020, right as the world began to spiral into chaos. This unsettling Italian film is penned by Christian Bisceglia, who co-directed alongside Ascanio Malgarini, featuring a cast that includes Henry Douthwaite, Katia Greco, Rosie Fellner, Aaran Bevan, and Zoe Nochi.

Set against the backdrop of a chilling Christmas Eve in 1908 in Messina—one of the Mediterranean's wealthiest merchant cities—our tale begins with Peter, a 13-year-old boy from an affluent English family. But don’t let his status fool you; he’s a notorious little tyrant, exuding cruelty towards anyone weaker, from children to animals and even the servants underfoot. One fateful night, his reign of terror backfires spectacularly when he finds himself ambushed and wakes up buried alive in a coffin beneath the city's Gothic cemetery, all thanks to a vengeful servant boy from his mother’s estate. As fate would have it, a powerful earthquake then razes Messina, sealing Peter’s grave—and his malicious legacy—in dust and darkness.

Fast forward a century, and we meet Norman, an English archaeologist, and his daughter Bianca, who arrive in the now-forgotten city. Fresh from the shattering loss of her mother, Bianca seeks solace by attempting to contact her spirit. Little does she realize that her heartfelt endeavor unwittingly summons Peter back from the abyss—a 13-year-old specter whose life was steeped in violence and evil, who now seeks to unleash terror from beyond the grave. It’s a race against time as Norman must uncover the truth to save his daughter from succumbing to the curse born of Peter’s twisted past.

Now, let’s be real for a second: the DVD cover art is downright atrocious. It screams low-budget schlock, which is so far from the mark it’s laughable. But in a delightful twist, Cruel Peter defies those expectations! Bisceglia and Malgarini, along with cinematographer Duccio Cimatti, skillfully weave a haunting Gothic atmosphere that had me hooked from the start—which, of course, I adore. There’s an undeniable vibe reminiscent of '70s Hammer Horror lurking in the shadows here. The film's opening scenes in 1908 leverage the eerie Italian architecture beautifully, setting the stage for a spine-tingling tale. When it leaps to the present day, the filmmakers surprisingly maintain that haunting tone—a feat that’s no easy task in a modern context. Bravo!

The plot alone, particularly the backstory, could seamlessly slip into a Conjuring film, with the lore of "Cruel Peter" transforming from urban legend to the stuff of nightmares, accidentally unleashed by meddling hands. As for the performances, they were a mixed bag—some cast members shone brightly, while others stumbled as if lost in the fog of their characters. But I’ll take that over the drivel that plagues most low-budget horrors any day.

All in all, I relished Cruel Peter. I’m still on the fence about the title, though. Regardless, the story, the characters, and, most importantly, that entrancing Gothic setting drew me in like a moth to a flame. It’s a haunting thrill ride that lingers long after the credits roll—perfect for anyone with a taste for the eerie and the macabre. ╌★★★★✰

〜B.J. Burgess