‘Pinocchio: Unstrung’ Trailer Reveals a Gruesome Practical-Effects Horror Twist

The first trailer for ‘Pinocchio: Unstrung’ has dropped, showcasing a brutal take on puppet horror, practical effects, and a chaotic slasher vibe. Set to hit theaters on July 24, the film is already being hailed as one of the more extreme additions to the expanding Twisted Childhood Universe.

Written and directed by Rhys Frake-Waterfield, who has also contributed to other films in this shared universe, ‘Pinocchio: Unstrung’ reimagines Carlo Collodi’s classic 1883 tale ‘The Adventures of Pinocchio.’ This version transforms the beloved story into a violent slasher, centering on a deadly and corrupted incarnation of the wooden puppet.

The cast features Robert Englund and Richard Brake in significant voice roles, with Jack Art Gray voicing Pinocchio. Production details reveal that Englund lends his voice to the Cricket, while Brake portrays Geppetto. Additional cast members include Cameron Bell, Jessica Balmer, and Peter DeSouza-Feighoney.

This adaptation takes a darker approach to the familiar narrative. Geppetto introduces his grandson James to a magical doll named Pinocchio, and while they initially bond, chaos ensues when James exposes Pinocchio to the outside world. The puppet, lacking an understanding of human morality, embarks on a violent mission to eliminate what it perceives as “bad.”

A source description elaborates that the story follows Pinocchio on a destructive quest shaped by a world he cannot comprehend. This version significantly diverges from the original fairy tale, placing the character firmly within a horror context.

One of the film’s standout features is its commitment to practical effects. Pinocchio was created as a fully functional animatronic, with the creative team aiming for a tangible presence on screen rather than relying on digital effects, enhancing the film’s gritty horror aesthetic.

The movie had its premiere earlier at the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival on April 11, 2026. Following its festival debut, it is now set for a broader theatrical release in North America on July 24, 2026, through Viva Pictures, with ITN Distribution managing the global release.

Development of ‘Pinocchio: Unstrung’ was first announced in 2024 as part of the Twisted Childhood Universe, a horror franchise that reinterprets public domain children’s characters into darker figures. Concept art and early production details were shared during its development, followed by casting announcements later that year.

Principal photography commenced in late 2024 after initial filming plans were revised. The project progressed through production into 2025 and post-production before its 2026 festival premiere.

With its blend of practical effects, slasher violence, and a twisted version of a well-known fairy tale character, ‘Pinocchio: Unstrung’ aims to be a bold and unsettling reinterpretation of a classic story upon its theatrical release.

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