‘Pinocchio: Unstrung’ Trailer Unleashes a Bloody Practical-Effects Horror Take on the Classic Tale
The first trailer for “Pinocchio: Unstrung” has arrived, and it leans heavily into brutal puppet horror, practical effects, and a chaotic slasher style. The film is set to hit theaters on July 24, and is already being described as one of the more extreme entries in the growing Twisted Childhood Universe.
“Pinocchio: Unstrung” is a British independent horror film written and directed by Rhys Frake-Waterfield, who is also behind other entries in the same shared universe. The movie reimagines Carlo Collodi’s classic 1883 story “The Adventures of Pinocchio,” turning it into a violent slasher focused on a deadly, corrupted version of the wooden puppet.
The film stars Robert Englund and Richard Brake in key voice roles, alongside Jack Art Gray as Pinocchio. According to production details, Englund voices the Cricket, while Brake plays Geppetto. Other cast members include Cameron Bell, Jessica Balmer, and Peter DeSouza-Feighoney.
The story takes a darker turn on the familiar tale. In this version, Geppetto introduces his grandson James to a magical doll named Pinocchio. At first, the doll forms a friendship with the boy, but things quickly spiral out of control when James exposes Pinocchio to the outside world. The puppet, unable to understand human morality, begins a violent mission to eliminate what it believes is “bad.”
A source description of the premise explains that the story follows Pinocchio as he goes on a destructive crusade after being shaped by a world he does not understand. The tone pushes the character far away from the original fairy tale, placing him in a full horror setting instead.
One of the standout elements of the production is its use of practical effects. The character of Pinocchio was built as a fully practical animatronic. According to production notes, the creative team wanted the character to feel physically real on screen rather than relying on digital effects, adding to the gritty and tactile horror style of the film.
The movie premiered earlier at the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival on April 11, 2026. After its festival debut, it is now scheduled for a wider theatrical release in North America on July 24, 2026, through Viva Pictures. ITN Distribution will handle the worldwide release.
Development on “Pinocchio: Unstrung” was first announced in 2024 as part of the expansion of the Twisted Childhood Universe, a shared horror franchise that reimagines public domain children’s characters as darker figures. Concept art and early production details were revealed during its development phase, with casting announcements following later that year.
Principal photography took place in late 2024 after initial filming plans were adjusted. The project continued moving through production into 2025 and post-production before its 2026 festival premiere.
With its mix of practical effects, slasher violence, and a corrupted version of a well-known fairy tale character, “Pinocchio: Unstrung” is positioning itself as a bold and unsettling reinterpretation of a classic story when it arrives in theaters.
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