---
title: "Pan"
year: 2015
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/pan"
fi1m_id: "pan"
imdb_id: "tt3332064"
tmdb_id: 266647
wikidata_id: "Q15713892"
fi1m_score: 38
critics_score: 36
critics_reviews: 24
published: "2026-10-05T13:48:48.976723+00:00"
updated: "2026-10-05T13:49:06.913130+00:00"
region: "AR"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Pan (2015)

Directed by Joe Wright · 1h 51m · Fantasy, Adventure, Family, Action

## Identity

Pan

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/pan
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** pan
- **IMDb ID:** tt3332064
- **TMDB ID:** 266647
- **Wikidata ID:** Q15713892
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3332064/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/266647, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15713892

**Fi1m score: 38** · Critics 36 from 24 reviews

*In a sentence:* Orphans sing Nirvana down a mine, Hugh Jackman wears rouge, and the boy who flies is the least interesting person in Neverland

> Joe Wright’s prequel asks how Peter Pan came to fly and answers with 111 minutes of airships, singalongs and Hugh Jackman in rouge. It is handsome, loud and joyless, and the boy at its centre is given nothing to want.

## Synopsis

London, during the Blitz. Peter (Levi Miller), left as a baby on the steps of an orphanage, is now twelve and in the care of Mother Barnabas (Kathy Burke), who hoards the rations and sells her charges to pirates. One night a galleon drops out of the clouds, pirates haul sleeping boys up on ropes, and the ship climbs away past the barrage balloons with Spitfires on its tail. In Neverland the boys are marched into a vast mine where thousands of kidnapped children dig for pixum, the fairy dust that Blackbeard (Hugh Jackman) craves. Peter is put to work beside a miner called James Hook (Garrett Hedlund) and a wheedling informer, Smee (Adeel Akhtar), and hears of a prophecy about a boy who can fly.

## Review

Joe Wright’s *Pan* wants to tell us where Peter Pan came from. Jason Fuchs’s screenplay starts with a baby on the steps of a London orphanage, jumps to the Blitz, and has the boy (Levi Miller) kidnapped by pirates in a flying galleon and dropped into a Neverland mine, where Blackbeard (Hugh Jackman) works thousands of stolen children digging for fairy dust. There Peter meets a miner called James Hook (Garrett Hedlund), and we are meant to watch a friendship begin that we know will end badly. It is good to look at, loud, and short on joy, and the boy at the centre of it is given almost nothing to want. Most critics have found it poor. So have we.

What works is Jackman, and he works hard. Blackbeard first appears on a gantry above the mine while hundreds of boys chant ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ up at him, and Jackman, face powdered white and cheeks rouged like a pantomime dame, takes the noise as though he had written the song. He plays the man as a tyrant who is also the manager of a music hall, snarling and simpering in the same breath, and whenever he is on screen the film knows what it is. We laughed at the singalong, in the right place for once, and we were sorry when it ended, because the film never tries anything that odd again.

Miller is a serious, open-faced child and he is not the problem. The problem is that Fuchs has written Peter a single wish, to find his mother, and then has every adult in Neverland repeat it back to him. Hedlund plays Hook as a cowboy, hat and drawl and every line pushed out through his teeth, and the manner never settles into a person; he is doing a voice for 111 minutes. The two spend most of the film telling each other they are friends. Rooney Mara’s Tiger Lily is the film’s worst decision, a white actress as the princess of Neverland’s native tribe, and dressing that tribe in every colour of the paint shop does not hide it. Mara is capable of a great deal elsewhere. Here she is given a bow, a scowl and some lines about destiny.

The craft is where the money went, and some of it shows. Aline Bonetto’s mine is a quarry the size of a city, scaffolding and rope bridges and thousands of children on them, and it is the one place in the film that looks lived in. John Mathieson and Seamus McGarvey are both credited with the photography, and the best stretch is the earliest: the galleon climbing out of the London sky with Spitfires behind it, shot clearly enough that we could tell which ship was which and which way was up. Once we reach Neverland the colour is turned up and we often could not tell what was hitting what. Pirates who die burst into clouds of coloured powder, which is how a PG film kills people, and after the third puff a battle looks like a fireworks display. Jacqueline Durran dresses the pirates in patched coats and odd hats, each man as if he had robbed a different century, and that is the best of her work here.

William Hoy and Paul Tothill cut the action fast, and John Powell’s score, brass and chorus, runs under nearly all of it, so there is barely a quiet minute. We were bored for the whole of the middle third, the stretch between leaving the mine and the finale, and bored in a particular way: everything on screen was moving and nothing was happening. The crocodile, the mermaids (all of them Cara Delevingne) and the fairies glimpsed late on are each introduced, looked at and left behind, like exhibits.

Wright has always liked a set piece. [*Anna Karenina*](https://film.one/film/anna-karenina) (2012) was staged inside a theatre and the device carried it, because the story underneath was Tolstoy’s. Here there is no story underneath, only a prophecy and a missing mother, and the set pieces have nothing to hang from. He has made a film about a boy who learns to fly in which the moment he does is the one time the camera stops to look at him.

Children, for whom the PG certificate says this was made, will have the airships and the singing and may be perfectly content. Adults will have Jackman and about twenty minutes. It opened in Britain on 16 October 2015. The audience it was built for deserved a Peter who wanted something more than to be told who he was.

*Fi1m score 38, published 5 October 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics reject Pan, and firmly: nineteen of the twenty-four reviews are negative, and the complaints repeat from one to the next. The prequel, they say, drains the whimsy from the Peter Pan story and puts nothing in its place but noise. Where praise exists it clusters around Hugh Jackman, whose Blackbeard is singled out again and again as the one thing on screen with any energy, and around Levi Miller, whom several find assured even when the film around him is not. The production design and a few staged set pieces earn grudging credit.

The reservations are broad: an overstuffed origin story, cluttered and garish CGI, bland characters, long action sequences and heavy hints at sequels. A couple of British reviews also object to Rooney Mara’s casting as Tiger Lily. The spread is wide only because of two outliers: The New Yorker calls it Joe Wright’s best film, and the Radio Times finds it an irreverent delight. Nobody else gets near them.

## Straight answers

**Is Pan worth watching?**

*Pan* is not worth your evening, and we scored it 38. Hugh Jackman's rouged, singalong Blackbeard and the galleon climbing out of the Blitz past the Spitfires are the twenty minutes that work; the rest is loud, handsome and joyless, with a Peter who is given nothing to want. Children may be content with the airships and the singing. Adults will not be.

**How long is Pan, and what is it rated?**

*Pan* runs 1h 51m. It is a fantasy and adventure film.

**Where can I watch Pan in Argentina?**

*Pan* is streaming on HBO Max in Argentina, and it is also available to rent from Apple TV from AR$3.99. It leaves HBO Max on 1 November. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How does Pan compare to Hook?**

*Pan* and [*Hook*](https://film.one/film/hook) both ask where Peter Pan's story begins and ends, and *Hook* is the better film, though not by a wide margin. Spielberg's version is too long and its Neverland wears us down, but Dustin Hoffman and Bob Hoskins are funny and Maggie Smith is warm. Wright's prequel has Jackman and a well-built mine, and no story underneath them.

**What should I watch after Pan?**

After *Pan*, try [*Hook*](https://film.one/film/hook) (1991, Fi1m 56): Spielberg’s grown-up Peter is the other Pan film that wonders about beginnings, and finds more. Then [*Castle in the Sky*](https://film.one/film/castle-in-the-sky) (1986, Fi1m 82): Miyazaki’s sky pirates and floating city, with the wonder this film keeps promising.

### Reviews we read (24)

- **The New Yorker**, Anthony Lane (90/100, inferred): Lane calls Pan a cheering surprise and Joe Wright’s best film so far, praising its lively, tightly packed adventures. He singles out Hugh Jackman’s performance as the film’s true highlight. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/10/19/wonder-boys)
- **Radio Times**, Alan Jones (4/5): Jones calls the prequel an irreverent delight, giving it a positive verdict. He singles out Hugh Jackman’s charismatic Blackbeard and the film’s playful mix of movie influences. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-r4sjnt/pan/)
- **The New York Times** (59/100, inferred): The page is identified as a review of Pan (2015), but its text is unavailable. The critic’s verdict and specific praise or complaint cannot be verified. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/09/movies/review-pan-proposes-peter-and-captain-hooks-origin-stories.html)
- **Screen Daily**, Sarah Ward (48/100, inferred): The page identifies this as a review, but the paywall prevents access to the critic’s verdict. No specific praise or complaint is visible in the available text. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/pan-review/5094325.article)
- **Little White Lies**, Clarisse Loughrey (2/2/2): Loughrey finds the prequel heartless and antithetical to the spirit of Peter Pan. She praises its imaginative vibrancy but criticizes Rooney Mara’s casting as Tiger Lily and the film’s cultural appropriation. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/pan)
- **Total Film**, Matt Maytum (2/5): The critic finds Pan a middling, uninvolving adventure that strips away the source material’s magic without replacing it. The visual design and costumes stand out, but weak drama, irritating performances, and poor CGI undermine the film. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/pan-review/)
- **IndieWire**, Nick Schager ([D]): Schager dismisses the film as an extravagant misfire, arguing that it drains the magic from Peter Pan’s story. He particularly criticizes its cacophonous spectacle and derivative, visually garish world. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/culture/review-joe-wrights-pan-starring-hugh-jackman-and-rooney-mara-is-a-cacophonous-assault-on-the-senses-113510/)
- **RogerEbert.com**, Christy Lemire (1.5/4): Lemire finds the film an overstuffed, exhausting failure rather than an enchanting origin story. She faults its noisy spectacle and cluttered style for overwhelming the characters. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/pan-2015)
- **Slant Magazine**, Eric Henderson (1.5/4): The critic finds the film emotionally artificial and its story weighed down by contrivances. He singles out Garrett Hedlund’s performance and some inventive staging as rare bright spots. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/pan/)
- **Empire**, Ian Freer (35/100, inferred): Freer finds Pan visually inventive but emotionally underpowered. He praises its cinematic craft and imaginative set pieces, while lamenting that its story never captures the heart. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/pan-review/)
- **Evening Standard**, Charlotte O'Sullivan (25/100, inferred): O'Sullivan finds the film’s backstory and lavish set-pieces largely unsuccessful, with good ideas overwhelmed by bad ones. She singles out Hugh Jackman’s Bluebeard for praise, while criticizing the treatment of Tiger Lily. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/pan-film-review-poor-peter-s-lost-his-magic-a3092266.html)
- **The Guardian**, Jordan Hoffman (1/5): Hoffman finds the prequel dull, dreadful and overburdened with backstory, with uninspired action and bland characters. He singles out one brightly lit action sequence’s striking production design as a rare visual highlight. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/oct/12/pan-review-joe-wright-hugh-jackman-rooney-mara)
- **Vulture**, Bilge Ebiri (20/100, inferred): Ebiri finds the film a garish, generic failure whose franchise-minded premise never develops into an engaging story. He notes that its busy visuals keep things momentarily curious, but faults the underwritten characters and performances for leaving the spectacle hollow. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/2015/10/movie-review-theres-no-magic-in-pan.html)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Todd McCarthy (10/100, inferred): The critic finds the origin story unnecessary, overlong, and lacking both suspense and fun. He singles out Hugh Jackman’s lively, contradictory performance as Blackbeard as the film’s main saving grace. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/pan-film-review-824864/)
- **Variety**, Andrew Barker (10/100, inferred): Barker judges the prequel a joyless, bungled failure that strips the Peter Pan story of its whimsy. He praises Levi Miller’s assured performance and the striking painterly visuals, but says neither can overcome the film’s dourness. [Read](https://variety.com/2015/film/reviews/film-review-pan-1201596436/)
- **Digital Spy**, Simon Reynolds (55/100, inferred): Reynolds finds Pan a frustrating but intermittently exhilarating adventure, ultimately less than the sum of its parts. He praises Joe Wright’s visual flair and the inspired opening, especially the Lost Boys’ Nirvana sing-along. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a669501/pan-review-jm-barries-classic-tale-gets-harry-potter-ised-with-nirvana/)
- **Paste**, Andy Crump (4.2/10): Crump judges the film a conventional, soulless pastiche that drains the wonder from its source material. He singles out Hugh Jackman’s outsized performance as a rare source of energy amid the weak writing and ugly CGI. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/pan)
- **Den of Geek**, Matthew Schuchman (2/5): Schuchman judges the film a gaudy, disappointing prequel that strains to set up sequels. He gives some credit to Levi Miller’s performance, but faults the glossy visuals and heavy-handed audience winks. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/pan-review/)
- **Consequence**, Dominick Suzanne-Mayer (30/100, inferred): The critic finds the film an uneven, overstuffed origin story that sacrifices resonance for constant spectacle. They single out the child miners’ performance of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and “Blitzkrieg Bop” as one of its few inspired moments. [Read](https://consequence.net/2015/10/film-review-pan/)
- **HeyUGuys**, Stefan Pape (25/100, inferred): The critic finds the film disappointing, despite its imaginative approach, and says it grows tedious. They praise some remarkable visuals but fault the protagonist’s lack of charisma and the lengthy action sequences. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/pan-review/)
- **NME** (20/100, inferred): The critic finds Pan an expensive, remarkably boring flop. The kaleidoscopic visuals earn praise, but the clunky script and pirate singalong draw complaints. [Read](https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-various-artists-16293-309881)
- **The Playlist** (15/100, inferred): The review’s headline signals a strongly negative verdict. It singles out the film’s sensory overload as its chief complaint. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/review-joe-wrights-pan-starring-hugh-jackman-and-rooney-mara-is-a-cacophonous-assault-on-the-senses-20151005/)
- **Eye for Film**, Angus Wolfe Murray (10/100, inferred): The review strongly condemns the film as confusing and visually overblown. It singles out the weak control of the CGI-heavy spectacle and Levi Miller’s underpowered performance. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/pan-2015-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray)
- **The Wrap**, Alonso Duralde (10/100, inferred): The critic finds the prequel unpleasant, uninteresting and burdened by derivative ideas. He praises Levi Miller’s engaging performance but faults the film’s garish visuals and overdone adult performances. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/pan-review-hugh-jackman-rooney-mara-garrett-hedlund/)

## Details

- **Director:** Joe Wright
- **Director:** Joe Wright
- **Screenplay:** Jason Fuchs
- **Cinematography:** John Mathieson, Seamus McGarvey
- **Editor:** Paul Tothill, William Hoy
- **Music:** John Powell
- **Production design:** Aline Bonetto
- **Costume design:** Jacqueline Durran
- **Producer:** Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Paul Webster
- **Cast:** Levi Miller as Peter Pan; Garrett Hedlund as James Hook; Hugh Jackman as Blackbeard; Rooney Mara as Tiger Lily; Adeel Akhtar as Sam "Smee" Smiegel; Nonso Anozie as Bishop; Amanda Seyfried as Mary; Kathy Burke as Mother Barnabas
- **Runtime:** 1h 51m
- **Release (Argentina):** 8 October 2015
- **Genres:** Fantasy, Adventure, Family, Action
- **Budget:** $150 million
- **Box office:** $128 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1wRv8vTpxo

## Where to watch in Argentina

- HBO Max: streaming, uhd, leaving 2026-11-01
- Apple TV: rent AR$3.99, hd
- Apple TV: buy AR$9.99, hd

*Checked 2026-10-05.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IT, JP, KR, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, SK, TH, TR, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## If you liked this

- *Peter Pan* (2003): P.J. Hogan’s straight telling of the book, with a Hook who is properly frightening.
- *Hook* (1991), Fi1m 56: Spielberg’s grown-up Peter is the other Pan film that wonders about beginnings, and finds more. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/hook.md)
- *Castle in the Sky* (1986), Fi1m 82: Miyazaki’s sky pirates and floating city, with the wonder this film keeps promising. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/castle-in-the-sky.md)
- *The Adventures of Baron Munchausen* (1988): Terry Gilliam’s flying galleons and painted skies, built by hand and all the better for it.
- *Wendy* (2020): Benh Zeitlin’s Neverland on a Louisiana island, small and strange where this is large and loud.

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/pan