Neverland (film)

***Neverland*** is a 2016 Lashardian crime-drama film, written, directed, and produced by Georg Hansenöpetersens, starring Narissa Rokögommel, Eliot Eriköheffer, and Daniela Karavöveronica. Supporting roles are played by Chark Fridriköelbersan, Emilia Karemcha, Samuel Edvardötiten, Tomas Roköharker, and Bettina Characha.

The film is a modern retelling of the story *Peter Pan*, following a rebellious teenage girl who is coerced into abandoning her mundane life to live a life of crime, danger, and excitement as a member of the Sestre gang, The Lost Boys. Its title is inspired by the fictional world of *Peter Pan*, while also being the street name of a recreational drug frequently taken throughout the film.

*Neverland* achieved critical acclaim upon its release and was regarded as being one of the best films of 2016. Critics praised Hansenöpetersens's direction and writing, while Rokögommel and Eriköheffer's acting performances were praised as well.

## Plot

On a normal Monday morning in Hoffmann, the housekeeper of the Jaköburso family, Nanna (Bettina Characha), is getting the Jaköburso children; 17-year-old Vendi (Narissa Rokögommel), 15-year-old Jon (Samuel Edvardötiten), and 13-year-old Mikael (Tomas Roköharker), ready for school. After setting them on their way, Jon and Mikael board a bus for their school, while Vendi sneaks away. She takes a different bus, en route for Sestre.

After arriving in Sestre, she meets up with The Lost Boys, a violent gang led by Peter (Eliot Eriköheffer), known for their brutal rivalry with The Pirates. Vendi narrates that she met Peter when he tried to rob her, but they ended falling for each other, and Vendi was invited to join The Lost Boys. However, they keep their relationship a secret, due to Peter being in a relationship with the unstable drug addict stripper, Tinka (Daniela Karavöveronica). Vendi and Tinka have a tense relationship, and it is assumed that Tinka is aware that Peter cheats on her with Vendi. Lila (Emilia Karemcha) is another one of the three female members of The Lost Boys. She comes from an upper-class artistic family, and grew up in Breż. Vendi and Tinka both dislike Lila, believing that she is interested in Peter, and that he even sometimes cheats on the two of them with Lila.

While hanging out, The Pirates ambush The Lost Boys; kidnapping Lila and murdering a quarter of their members in a shootout. Enraged, Peter determines that it's his mission to end The Pirates, specifically their violent leader, Captain (Chark Fridriköelbersan), who was previously a friend of Peter's. Vendi and Tinka, believing that Lila will be killed and happy that she'd be out of the picture, attempt to convince Peter to leave The Pirates alone so he doesn't risk his life, but he does not listen.

Meanwhile, at school, Jon is told a story by a friend about one of The Lost Boys' escapades, and mentions Vendi. Confused, Jon asks for further details, and the friend informs him that Vendi is one of Peter's mistresses. Upon going home, Jon tells Mikael about Vendi's predicament, and they determine that they need to save their sister before it's too late.

After arriving at The Pirates' hangout, Peter finds a bruised and drugged Lila. When she wakes up, she confesses her love for Peter, and Tinka shoots her in the head in a fit of rage. Furious, Peter punches Tinka in the face, knocking her out. Before Peter can explain himself to Vendi, The Pirates arrive, led by Captain. Captain kills Peter, and the screen goes black.

One month later, Vendi, who now goes by Vendela, visits Tinka in rehab where they discuss the events that transpired. After Peter was killed, Vendi and Tinka were kept as sex slaves by Captain and The Pirates. However, Jon, Mikael, and Nanna reported her disappearance and suspected activity with The Lost Boys to the police, and Vendi and Tinka were saved in a raid of The Pirates' hangout. While they put their differences aside, Vendi and Tinka agree that they remind each other of bad times in their lives and that they shouldn't see each other again. However, Vendi reminds her that Tinka's secret is safe with her, since the police believe that Lila was killed by The Pirates, and Tinka thanks her, sending her a smile.

## Cast

* Narissa Rokögommel as Vendela "Vendi" Jaköburso, a rebellious 17-year-old teenage girl looking for excitement in her life (*Wendy*)
* Eliot Eriköheffer as Peter, the leader of The Lost Boys and a Sestre gangster (*Peter Pan*)
* Daniela Karavöveronica as Tinka, a stripper and former prostitute, who is in a relationship with Peter and jealous of Vendi (*Tinker Bell*)
* Chark Fridriköelbersan as Captain, the leader of The Pirates, The Lost Boys' rival, and an age long enemy of Peter (*Captain Hook*)
* Emilia Karemcha as Lila, another one of the few female members of The Lost Boys, she comes from an upper-class artistic home, and is a rival of Tinka and Vendi (*Tiger Lily*)
* Samuel Edvardötiten as Jon Jaköburso, one of Vendi's younger siblings, and the 15-year-old older son, he goes to search for Vendi along with his brother after she goes missing (*John*)
* Tomas Roköharker as Mikael Jaköburso, another one of Vendi's younger siblings, and the 13-year-old younger son, he goes to search for Vendi along with his brother after she goes missing (*Michael*)
* Bettina Characha as Nanna, the Jaköburso's Pesan housekeeper, who has a close relationship with the Jaköburso children, and assists Jon and Mikael in finding Vendi (*Nana*)

## Reception

### Critical

*Neverland* was released to critical acclaim, with many critics complimenting its writing, directing, and performances (particularly Karavöveronica's). The review aggregator, *Lasdifilmö*, gives the film an approval rating of 94%, based on 107 reviews.

### Box office

*Neverland* grossed a total of $537.8 million worldwide against a production budget of $20 million, making it a large box office success. It finished first at the box office for its first four weeks of release.