New ‘Pinocchio Unstrung’ Clip Reveals Bloodiest Chapter in Twisted Childhood Universe

The Twisted Childhood Universe has been transforming beloved storybook characters into unexpected horror icons over the past few years, and it shows no signs of slowing down. What started with a terrifying take on Winnie the Pooh has now evolved into a diverse collection of dark fairy tale villains, each more elaborate than the last.

Now, the franchise is gearing up to unveil its most ambitious entry yet, offering a fresh perspective on a story familiar to many. Instead of merely imparting a lesson about honesty, this new adaptation reimagines the classic wooden puppet as something far more sinister, giving fans an exciting glimpse into the filmmakers’ bold vision.

This reimagining is embodied in ‘Pinocchio Unstrung,’ the fifth installment in the Twisted Childhood Universe. A newly released exclusive clip provides audiences with a taste of what’s to come. Set in an elite London prep school, the film follows Pinocchio, created by Geppetto and influenced by a malevolent version of Cricket, as he embarks on a violent quest to carve himself into a real boy like his brother James, one piece at a time.

Richard Brake stars as the obsessive Geppetto, while horror icon Robert Englund lends his voice to Cricket, adding yet another genre veteran to the franchise’s roster. Pinocchio is voiced by Jude Evan Lloyd and brought to life through a practical animatronic crafted by Todd Masters, known for his work on ‘Tales from the Crypt’ and ‘Slither.’ The cast also includes Cameron Bell, Jessica Balmer, Jack Art Gray, and Peter De Souza-Feighoney.

Writer and director Rhys Frake-Waterfield, known for the original ‘Winnie-the-Pooh, Blood and Honey,’ has expressed his desire for this installment to push the franchise’s tone even further. He described the film as a fun experience, promising fans a kooky, crazy adventure in line with his previous works, as stated in an interview with Variety. Frake-Waterfield hopes this film will pioneer a fresh approach in the horror genre, moving beyond simply replicating earlier formulas.

This ambition extends beyond tone, as Frake-Waterfield noted that this installment benefits from a significantly larger budget compared to previous entries in the Twisted Childhood Universe. This financial boost has allowed for bigger names and more investment in practical effects. The film reportedly deviates from the traditional narrative of lying being bad, introducing new elements like a mother tree character and embracing the story’s darker potential.

Englund’s participation adds further horror credibility to the project, following his legendary role as Freddy Krueger in the ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’ series. Since his role is entirely voice work, Englund was able to contribute without the need for physically demanding scenes, a detail Frake-Waterfield highlighted as a reason for casting him as Cricket.

Early reactions from the film’s premiere at the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival in April suggest that this entry may stand out within the franchise. Reviewers have praised the film’s practical puppetry work, with some noting that the design of Pinocchio evokes both dread and unexpected sympathy, despite the character’s murderous rampage throughout the narrative.

With ‘Pinocchio Unstrung’ set for a worldwide theatrical release on July 24, the Twisted Childhood Universe continues to expand ahead of its planned crossover event, which will bring together several of its reimagined characters. Given the excitement already surrounding this installment, it appears poised to become one of the most talked-about entries in the growing horror franchise.

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