Pinocchio: Unstrung – A Twisted Horror Reimagining Coming in 2025
In 2025, audiences will experience a chilling reimagining of the classic tale with Pinocchio: Unstrung, a dark slasher film that transforms the beloved wooden puppet into a menacing figure. Directed by Rhys Frake-Waterfield, known for his work on Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey, this film is part of the expanding "Poohniverse," a series of horror adaptations of classic children's stories.
The plot follows James, who receives a magical doll named Pinocchio from his grandfather, Geppetto. Unaware of the doll’s sinister nature, James brings Pinocchio into the world, inadvertently unleashing a horrifying crusade as Pinocchio embarks on a mission to eliminate what he perceives as "bad" in the world. This film offers a twisted take on the original story, blending elements of horror and fantasy in a new and unsettling way.
The cast includes Robert Englund, famous for playing Freddy Krueger, as The Cricket, and Richard Brake as Geppetto. Cameron Bell stars as James, with Jessica Balmer, Jack Art Gray, and Peter DeSouza-Feighoney in supporting roles. Produced by Jagged Edge Productions and distributed by ITN Studios, the film is crafted to deliver a unique and R-rated portrayal of Pinocchio, featuring a high kill count and practical gore effects.
Filming began in October 2024 and wrapped later that year, with an expected release date in mid-2025. Emphasizing practical effects over CGI, the filmmakers enlisted Todd Masters of MastersFX—known for his work on the 2019 Child's Play remake—to handle animatronics and puppetry. The Prosthetics Studio, which has contributed to major franchises like Harry Potter and Star Wars, is responsible for the film’s gore effects.
As part of the Poohniverse, Pinocchio: Unstrung joins a growing series of horror adaptations that include Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey, Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare, and Bambi: The Reckoning. These films have garnered attention for their bold and unique twists on beloved characters, mixing nostalgia with horror. Fans of the genre can look forward to a fresh and unsettling interpretation of the Pinocchio story when Pinocchio: Unstrung hits theaters in 2025.
