Pinocchio Unstrung
Verdict: A gory, effects-driven slasher that delivers fun kills and strong practical work for genre fans, but uneven storytelling keeps it from rising higher.
Pros:
- Impressive practical puppetry and makeup effects
- Robert Englund’s creepy voice work as the Cricket
- Solid gore and campy kill sequences
Cons:
- Slow and uneven first half
- Thin writing and tonal inconsistency
Pinocchio Unstrung hit theatres on 24 July 2026 as the latest entry in the Twisted Childhood Universe. Directed by Rhys Frake-Waterfield, the film turns the classic puppet story into a dark, violent slasher set mostly inside an elite London prep school.
Robert Englund voices the sinister Cricket while Richard Brake plays Geppetto. The story follows a wooden puppet who desperately wants to become a real boy. Influenced by a malevolent Cricket, he begins a brutal campaign, taking pieces from others to remake himself.
The film keeps the premise simple and focuses more on atmosphere and shocks than deep character work. Early audience reactions on X and other platforms have been mixed but lean positive among horror fans.
Many praised the practical effects, puppetry, and over-the-top gore, calling the kills creative and the practical work a clear step up for this series. Englund’s performance as the Cricket drew frequent compliments for its creepy energy.
Several viewers described the movie as campy, fun, and better than earlier Twisted Childhood entries. Others found the first half slow and the script thin, noting the film sometimes struggles to balance humour and horror. Fans of low-budget practical-effects slashers and the existing Twisted Childhood films will likely enjoy the ride.
Casual viewers or those expecting a polished story may feel the weaknesses more strongly. At around 80 minutes it moves quickly once the violence ramps up, making it a reasonable theatre watch for horror enthusiasts. Others can safely wait for streaming.
Disclaimer: This review is based on publicly available audience reactions and discussions on X at the time of writing. Individual opinions may vary.
