This family film has it all: suspense, drama, comedy, a good plot and wonderful writing. I have always loved reading Frank Peretti’s novels and wondered why none have ever made it to the big screen. Well, now the wait is over. Produced by Kelly Neutz, Steven Buhal and Frank Peretti, “Hangman’s Curse” deals with life at Roger’s High school and all the problems that can and do occur. The school has its bullies that steal money from kids, jocks that think they’re tough, and “weirdos” who look and act different than anyone else, and the brainiacs that don’t seem to fit in anywhere. But there are bigger problems. Students are becoming seriously ill. The kids believe that the ghost of a student, Abel Fry, who hung himself in the school ten years prior, is responsible and is seeking revenge on some of the student population. I was captivated by the realistic imagery this film created within the high school setting as it related to the kids interaction with each other. Kids can be so cruel to one another in high school. “Hangman’s Curse” has a lesson for every school kid, teacher and parent in dealing with how we treat others.

Frank Peretti has an amusing part in the film as Professor Algernon Wheeling, a silly scientist that assists in the investigation at the school. The viewer can tell that Peretti is having a great time playing this role and he is fun to watch, bringing comic relief to a pretty intense film. I would love to see more of Peretti’s work brought to the big screen, but “Hangman’s Curse” is a very good start.