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Horror film

Cruel Peter (2019): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Cruel Peter (2019) movie poster

Cruel Peter is a 2019 horror film directed by Christian Bisceglia, starring Aran Bevan as Peter Hoffman, Aurora Quattrocchi and Biagio Pelligra. It runs 1 hour 35 minutes and earned $199,356 worldwide. Its Echo Score is 50/100.

worldwide gross
$199.4K
Echo Score
50
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Cruel Peter (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 35m (95 min)
Genre
Horror
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Cruel Peter About?

The premise of Cruel Peter without spoilers.

Christmas 1908 in Messina finds 13-year-old Peter, a wealthy English boy infamous for his cruelty towards children, animals, and servants. Seeking revenge for Peter’s callousness, a servant boy buries him alive in the city’s Gothic cemetery. A devastating earthquake soon destroys Messina, trapping Peter and erasing all trace of his whereabouts. A century later, an English archaeologist and his daughter discover the city, unknowingly stirring up the secrets buried beneath.

Cruel Peter Themes & Keywords

· 1 tag
  • night
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Cast & crew

Cruel Peter Cast & Characters

Aran Bevan leads the cast as Peter Hoffman, with Aurora Quattrocchi as Emma and Biagio Pelligra as Matteo. Directed by Christian Bisceglia; 21 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Cruel Peter

· 17 more
Show all 21 cast members
From the director

More from Christian Bisceglia

One more film directed by Christian Bisceglia: The Haunting of Helena.

Full filmography
Ratings

Cruel Peter Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 50/100, strongest in art & craft (60) and weakest in story & flow (45).

50 /100

Cruel Peter Echo Score Breakdown

Cruel Peter presents a pronounced atmospheric mood through its period settings and distinct set design, yet the film is consistently shrouded in excessive darkness that obscures visual storytelling. The narrative is perceived as uneven, with a predictable premise and pacing that only improves after the initial hour. While some viewers appreciate the production values and occasional effective scares, the combination of visual obscurity and a thin plot limits its overall appeal, resulting in a mixed consensus.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 60

    The film’s production design and locations receive commendation for their period atmosphere and compelling sets, contributing to a strong visual foundation. However, critics highlight pervasive underexposure, with many scenes rendered nearly unreadable, undermining the intended mood. Editing choices are described as plodding, and CGI elements receive mixed feedback. Overall, the visual craft shows promise but is compromised by lighting and technical inconsistencies.

  • Character & Emotion 55

    Acting is noted as generally competent, with several reviewers praising the cast’s ability to convey horror tones and a few highlighting strong performances from the Italian actors. Conversely, the lead is criticized for overacting, and overall character depth is deemed insufficient, with limited development and confusing motivations. Chemistry among performers is uneven, resulting in a mixed appraisal of the film’s character work.

  • Story & Flow 45

    The plot centers on a possession narrative that many find familiar and predictable, lacking fresh twists or a cohesive structure. Reviewers point to an over‑crowded storyline, ambiguous pacing, and a conclusion that leaves key questions unanswered. While the premise has potential, execution is viewed as uneven, with excessive exposition and underdeveloped scenes contributing to a generally unsatisfying storytelling experience.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    Auditory elements, including the score and sound design, receive mild praise for enhancing the film’s eerie atmosphere. Visual style is recognized for its intentional gloom and occasional striking composition, though the pervasive darkness limits its effectiveness. Special effects are described as adequate but not exceptional, and occasional ISO issues detract from clarity. The sensory components provide a modestly immersive experience despite technical limitations.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    Rewatch value is mixed; some viewers appreciate the mood‑building sets and occasional effective scares, suggesting limited repeat enjoyment for genre enthusiasts. However, the film’s dim visuals, predictable storyline, and uneven pacing reduce its appeal for subsequent viewings. While the atmospheric elements may attract a niche audience, the broader consensus indicates a modest likelihood of revisiting the film.

Box office

Cruel Peter Box Office

Cruel Peter grossed $199,356 worldwide.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$199.4K

International
$199.4K
Videos

Cruel Peter Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Cruel Peter.

Trailer Cruel Peter
Details

Cruel Peter Also Known As

10 alternative titles, including “Cruel Peter: The Boy” and “Мама: гостья из тьмы”.

Also known as
  • Cruel Peter: The Boy
  • Мама: гостья из тьмы
  • Kegyetlen Péter
  • Cruel Peter : Le garçon
  • 残酷的彼得
  • Мама: Гостя з темряви
  • 西西里恐怖故事
  • Okrutny Peter
  • 크루얼 피터
  • Menino Malvado

Seen Cruel Peter?

FAQ

Cruel Peter FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office and post-credit scenes of Cruel Peter, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Cruel Peter?

Cruel Peter runs 1 hour 35 minutes (95 minutes).

When was Cruel Peter released?

Cruel Peter was released on July 3, 2019.

Who directed Cruel Peter?

Cruel Peter was directed by Christian Bisceglia.

More films by Christian Bisceglia

Who is in the cast of Cruel Peter?

Cruel Peter stars Aran Bevan as Peter Hoffman, Aurora Quattrocchi as Emma and Biagio Pelligra as Matteo, among 21 credited actors.

How much did Cruel Peter make at the box office?

Cruel Peter grossed $199,356 worldwide.

Does Cruel Peter have a post-credit scene?

No. Cruel Peter has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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