‘Rift’ Director’s Fairy Tale Horror Film ‘The Piper’ Delivers a Deadly Yet Familiar Narrative: Review

Two recent horror productions have found inspiration in the chilling German legend of The Pied Piper of Hamelin. The first to hit the big screen is Erlingur Thoroddsen’s interpretation, which shares its title with Anthony Waller’s adaptation. Both versions present a demonic twist on the infamous ratcatcher, but Thoroddsen’s narrative uniquely emphasizes the musical element of the tale.

The Piper introduces us to Charlotte Hope’s character, Mel, who finds herself in a predicament: her dreams come with a hefty price tag, and the fallout could be disastrous. As a young composer, Mel yearns for a future in her orchestra ensemble and the means to support her deaf daughter (Aoibhe O’Flanagan). She sees no other choice but to steal a concerto from her recently deceased mentor (Louise Gold). However, once she commits the act, Mel’s conductor (Julian Sands) pressures her to complete the unfinished composition or risk losing her place in the orchestra. With the original composer’s warnings of her work’s evil nature, Mel faces a more immediate threat than a looming deadline: the monster she may summon if she composes and performs the missing third movement.

The Piper follows a familiar narrative path, where the impending doom is a result of unchecked ambition and a cursed object. Despite the predictability of the story and the lack of engaging characters — the director once described The Piper as his take on a mainstream horror movie — Thoroddsen’s visual direction shines in an otherwise conventionally plotted horror film. The Piper doesn’t escape the modern trend of nearly pitch-black nighttime or dark scenes, but the lighting elsewhere is otherworldly and atmospheric. The director skillfully sets the mood through illumination, fabrics, and color.

At times, The Piper aligns more with the effects-heavy supernatural films of the ‘90s, like Wishmaster, although the villain in this film has significantly less screen time. By delaying the Piper’s debut, the film avoids the usual desensitization that comes with overexposing the monster. The Piper, portrayed by Boyan Anev, is genuinely terrifying. While the charm and tangibility of an actor in a suit are hard to beat, the additional use of CG enhances the Piper’s surreal appearance. After all, this creature is mythical and should not completely blend into reality.

A film like this demands compelling music, and Christopher Young delivers with aplomb. Young’s textured and dynamic score is a standout feature; it might even be the highlight for many viewers. The composer, with a long and illustrious career in horror, knows how to amplify scenes with music. The centerpiece of this film is the dreaded concerto, and Young executes it with passion and technical mastery. The artistic direction and haunting music significantly elevate this film’s overall profile.

While the final product may be too straightforward and predictable for some of today’s more discerning audiences, this tale of sealed evil is far from being completely tuneless.

The Piper will be available in select theaters and on Digital starting on March 8, 2024.