As everyone knows, Pinocchio just wants to be a real boy.
A Dark Take on a Classic Tale
The trailer for “Pinocchio Unstrung” reveals a particularly gruesome reimagining of the classic story, following in the footsteps of the creators of 2024’s “Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood, and Honey.” In this iteration, Pinocchio’s desire to grow “real” manifests as a violent quest for human body parts.
The film depicts Pinocchio, created by Geppetto (Robert Brake), seeking “organs and stuff” to achieve his goal. The trailer shows graphic scenes, including Pinocchio impaling a foot with his wooden nose, removing skin from a man’s face, and collecting intestines.
A Sinister Supporting Cast
Pinocchio is guided on this rampage by a particularly malevolent version of Jiminy Cricket, voiced by Robert Englund, best known for his role as Freddie Krueger. He tells Pinocchio, “Piece by piece, we’ll take everything you need to be real.”
Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey, the team behind “Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey,” are as well responsible for “Pinocchio Unstrung” through their production company, Jagged Edge Productions.
Expanding the “Twisted Childhood Universe”
“Pinocchio Unstrung” features a cast including Cameron Bell, Jessica Balmer, Jack Art Gray, and Peter De Souza-Feighoney. Emmy winner Todd Masters oversaw the practical animatronics. ITN Distribution is handling the release, with theatrical dates currently being scheduled.
Frake-Waterfield explained that they built Pinocchio as a fully practical animatronic “because I wanted him to sense real.” He described the film as “a twisted coming-of-age story told from the puppet’s perspective: a creation struggling for autonomy while being manipulated by the sinister forces around him, from Robert Englund’s sinister ‘Jiminy Cricket’ to Richard Brake’s obsessive Geppetto.”
The film is the latest addition to Jagged Edge’s “Twisted Childhood Universe,” which also includes “Blood and Honey,” “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare.” A third “Blood and Honey” film is planned, and a crossover film, “Poohniverse Monsters Assemble,” is in development.
Frake-Waterfield added, “Our Twisted Childhood Universe continues to grow in darker and more ambitious ways as we’re gearing up for Poohniverse Monsters Assemble!”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is “Pinocchio Unstrung” about?
“Pinocchio Unstrung” is a horror film where Pinocchio goes on a murderous rampage to obtain the organs he believes he needs to become a real boy.
Who directed “Pinocchio Unstrung”?
“Pinocchio Unstrung” is directed by Rhys Frake-Waterfield and produced by Scott Jeffrey.
Is this film connected to other horror adaptations of children’s stories?
Yes, “Pinocchio Unstrung” is part of Jagged Edge Productions’ “Twisted Childhood Universe,” which includes films like “Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey” and “Bambi: The Reckoning.”
Given the trend of reimagining beloved childhood characters in the horror genre, what impact might this have on the future of adaptations?
