‘Pinocchio: Unstrung’ (2026)

Joining the Twisted Childhood Universe, Rhys Frake-Waterfield brings us another reimagining of a classic children's story with a sinister twist. Coasting on the widespread awareness and popularity of the character and his tale, ‘Pinocchio: Unstrung’ brings us a much darker and gorier version of the lovable wooden boy.

Revolving around the young boy James (Cameron Bell), the film follows the adolescent as he tragically loses his parents in a car accident and soon after suffers another loss when his best friend dies from cancer. Taken in by his grandfather, Geppetto (Richard Brake), the two get along well as Geppetto supports James as best he can. Following a strange noise one night, James creeps down to the basement where Geppetto introduces him to Pinocchio.

Followed by a mandatory 'Pinocchio has to learn about and adapt to the world' montage, the two boys grow closer to one another, with Pinocchio becoming very protective of James. Soon after, Pinocchio discovers another wooden creature in Geppetto’s basement workshop. Protruding from the side of a door, a half-formed gurgling monstrosity beckons Pinocchio forth. The grotesque and sinister Woodmother (Emma Tate) tells Pinocchio he'll never be like James.

The malformed creature corrupts Pinocchio, convincing him to start gathering body parts to be more like James, to become a real boy. Further influenced by a bastardised version of the talking Cricket (Robert Englund), the wooden doll goes on a killing spree. Initially by accident, but later with clear intent, Pinocchio goes on a spree to kill James’ bullies and eventually participates in a showdown with Geppetto.

Those already familiar with Frake-Waterfield's initial TCU instalment 'Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey' (2023), or any of the subsequent features for that matter, would be well aware of the vague connection the titular character could be expected to share with its original counterpart.

In this instance, the film surprises as Pinocchio is in fact a boy made of wood, created by Geppetto, who desperately wants to be a real boy. Unlike its Poohniverse Pooh Bear compatriot, which can for the most part feel like a cheap cash-grab, cashing in on the familiar name, Pinocchio is uniquely his own character.

Possessing the innocent mind of a child and curious about the world around him, the wooden boy surprises as a distinct persona. What inevitably transpires is his turn to the dark side as he commits multiple murders with glee, seemingly enjoying each subsequent one more than the last.

The one thing the film has nailed is the tone. Understanding how ridiculous it is, the feature unapologetically enjoys its gore with an excitedly chaotic and humorous tone. Potentially slightly reminiscent of the first instalment in the Child’s Play franchise, ‘Pinocchio: Unstrung’ provides for a devilishly gruesome and camp atmosphere, leaning heavily into the absurd nature of the affair.

Concluding on an intriguing cliffhanger, it is revealed that Geppetto’s scheme was to preserve life indefinitely. Crafting the wooden creatures by sourcing recently deceased bodies and connecting them to a tree in his workshop, the craftsman had hoped to one day create the perfect being, hoping to eventually transform himself into one such creature.

Geppetto is, however, mauled to death by one of his previously failed experiments, but does not get to rest too long as a post-credit scene shows Cricket using vines from the tree to try to bring Geppetto back to life.

Depending on how far you’re willing to go into the moustache-twirling villain direction, ‘Pinocchio: Unstrung’ delivers a menacing retelling of a classic tale, capitalising on a familiar face and taking it to a dark place. Exaggerated and bizarre, the story does little to outright surprise the viewers but has an amazing time bastardising the original tale and adding elaborate kills wherever it can, making great use of practical effects wherever possible.

Not trying to reinvent the wheel, rather taking it on a joyride, the feature is best enjoyed when not taking anything too seriously, particularly satisfying to those who can divorce themselves from reality and can try to not apply logic to a magic wooden puppet. Not hammering anyone over the head with moral qualms, ‘Pinocchio: Unstrung’ is there for those just looking to have a good time, not wonder about character development or growth.

Score: 2/4