Captain Hook: The Cursed Tides Blu Ray Review (High Fliers Films)

Captain Hook: The Cursed Tides is a 2025 horror film written, shot, edited, and directed by Lars Janssen (Underground, The Grieving Stones, The Beast, Midnight Requiem, Ongekend Verlangen, Backstage, and Endgame). It’s based on the legendary character created by J.M. Barrie (Peter Pan, Hook, and Tinker Bell). It was executive produced by May Monteiro (Werewolf Castle, Wrath of Dracula, Ripper’s Revenge, The Priest: Thanksgiving Massacre, St. Patrick’s Day Massacre, The Mummy: Resurrection, and Alice in Terrorland). In the aftermath of a devastating defeat by his rival Admiral Smee (played by: Sean Cronin from Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, Kill Kane, The World Is Not Enough, The Mummy franchise, and Sleepy Hollow), the notorious Captain James Hook (played by: Richard Rowden from The Draw, The Haunting of the Tower of London, and Werewolf Castle) finds refuge in the small coastal town of Eldritch Landing. He decides to team up with a local blacksmith Silas Blackweather (played by: Munraj Bhachu) who is looking for revenge for his sister Akila. Ancient curses cause devasting issues during their road to retribution. Together, Hook and Silas navigate uncharted waters to confront the treacherous Smee, embarking on a journey that will redefine Captain Hook’s enduring legacy forever!!!! Captain Hook appeared in a few horror films in 2025 including Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare. The classic character gets an origin story for Captain Hook: The Cursed Tides. The script plays out more like a revenge feature rather than straight up horror. Lars Janssen is behind the camera for this low budget production for the iconic villain that actually gets to be the hero here. Janssen has mainly done shorts so far, this was his chance give a full length his visual style. Richard Rowden is solid as Captain Hook in The Cursed Tides. He’s a different version of the known role. He’s down on his luck and he feels destroyed after losing his battle. Sean Cronin steals the show as the evil Admiral Smee. I was surprised how good his performance was in this. Cronin deserves bigger projects, this proves that he can do whatever is needed. The rest of the supporting cast includes Munraj Bhachu, Ewen Weatherburn (Deep Cover), Destiny Viva (Supacell), John Craggs (Renegades), Brandon Ashplant (Underground), Cameron Ashplant (Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny), Dean Marshall (Wrath of Dracula), and Matthew Robins (Dead Air). Captain Hook: The Cursed Tides starts out very slow, it doesn’t really pick up until about 40 minutes in. It has moments of violence and action with it’s swashbuckle vibe but it’s not consistent at all. It shows potential of something wild and interesting but then it goes back to nothing. It’s about 10 minutes too long but I will say it has a steady brutal finale. It has some horror elements to it but I wouldn’t consider in that genre. Captain Hook: The Cursed Tides actually has quality costumes, production design, fx, and a great score to it despite being a smaller production. I wish it was like it’s last 20 minutes rather than it’s first 70 to be completely honest. I’ve seen worse so better than some stuff out there but just be warned, go into it with very low expectations. I experienced it sober so it’s possible that it might be enhanced a little bit with some alcohol or something else!!!! Let’s discuss this high definition presentation from High Fliers Films! This 1080p (2.35:1) transfer looks much better than expected. They spent their money wisely in the right departments for Captain Hook: The Cursed Tides. The production design, costumes, locations, and the special/visual fx shine when it comes it’s sharper visuals. It has an English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track on the disc. Captain Hook has enough action and violence to help it’s sounds for this. The pirate inspired score from composer Herman Witkam (Seeds of Peace, Tis Maar Eens Per Jaar, Project Herbert, Mees Kees, Golden Earrings, Claustrofobia, and My Amityville Horror) is the true highlight when it comes to the audio. All of the dialogue is crisp, the vengeance is elevated, and the music has a big boost to it. This Blu Ray is made on demand & it’s a BD-R but at it’s highest quality. This release is available at most online locations including MovieZying.com!!!!