Parents' Guide to The Piper

The Pied Piper story makes for such naturally disturbing material it's surprising it hasn't been the source of more horror movies to date. The core premise of Piper is convincing, if a little scattershot—the spirit of the Pied Piper reawakens in the town of Hamelin, punishing the local children for the evils of their parents. That he does so by bewitching them into taking their own lives is particularly hard-hitting. Jenkins makes for the relatable teen next on his list, while Hurley is equally likable—if not wholly convincing—as her mother desperately trying to save her daughter's life. There are some notable moments borrowed from classics of the genre like The Omen and The Shining, and the occasional jump scare. But there are also a few too many plot strands being given equal billing, making it hard to know where to look at times. The movie definitely leans into genre conventions, and for the most part they're handled well: The misty woods are atmospheric, there's a gothic eeriness to the old buildings and catacombs beneath the city, and you can't go wrong with children singing to crank up the creepiness. On the flip side, overly dramatic musical swells, too much exposition, and some slightly stilted acting give this a schlocky feel at times, but it has enough going for it to keep horror fans entertained.