Peter Pan – The Cult Leader
The latest version of the Peter Pan story is “Lost Boy” by Christina Henry. In this rendition, bloodthirsty Peter Pan is a sinister cult leader, rather than the spirit of eternal youth. Peter lures little boys away from their families, starves them, and then forces them to play a game called “Battle,” which drives them to murder each other.
Photo by NBC / Hallmark Hall of Fame / Kobal / Shutterstock
He doesn’t kill them but makes someone else do it. The boys both love and hate Peter Pan equally (sounds like Stockholm syndrome). The boys are stuck in Neverland forever and have no way of getting back home; Peter is their only “protector,” so they stick with him. This ending is sadder than Barrie’s ending.