Pinocchio Unstrung is gory triumph of practical effects
The Twisted Childhood Universe (TCU) has certainly had an unpredictable journey. What began as the viral, low-budget shock of Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey has evolved into something far more accomplished. With Pinocchio Unstrung, director Rhys Frake-Waterfield delivers the franchise’s strongest and most confident installment yet, blending classic gothic horror with the darkly comedic insanity of films like Child’s Play.
This is not the familiar story of the gentle woodcarver and his beloved puppet. Instead, Geppetto (Richard Brake) is reimagined as a wealthy and deeply disturbed British scientist struggling to cope with a devastating family loss. In his grief, he creates a living wooden puppet. When his orphaned grandson, James (Cameron Bell), comes to live at the family estate, he and Pinocchio quickly develop a close bond that resembles brotherhood.
The story takes a sinister turn when Pinocchio’s innocent wish to become a “real boy” is manipulated by a malevolent Cricket. Voiced by horror legend Robert Englund (A Nightmare on Elm Street), Cricket persuades Pinocchio that humanity can only be achieved by collecting human flesh. The result is a bloody rampage through a sprawling mansion and an elite London boarding school as the puppet assembles the pieces needed to create a human body.
One of the film’s greatest strengths is its commitment to practical effects. Rather than relying heavily on CGI, Pinocchio Unstrung utilizes animatronics, puppetry, and prosthetic work to bring its title character to life. The effect is unsettling and memorable, giving Pinocchio an eerie, unnatural presence that lingers long after he appears on screen.
The violence is equally effective. The film embraces over-the-top practical gore, delivering a series of gruesome set pieces that horror fans will appreciate. Englund’s performance also adds tremendous value, transforming Cricket into a genuinely creepy and scene-stealing presence whenever he appears.
Ultimately, Pinocchio Unstrung succeeds as a fun, unapologetically gory horror film. It demonstrates that the TCU is capable of producing genuinely entertaining genre fare when supported by stronger production values and a clear creative vision. For fans of slashers, practical effects, and twisted fairy-tale horror, this is easily one of the standout entries in the franchise so far.
