Twisted Childhood Universe Unveils Sinister Poohniverse Expansion!

Rhys Frake-Waterfield’s “Pinocchio Unstrung” officially joins the expanding Poohniverse, also known as the Twisted Childhood Universe, following 2023’s “Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey.” This latest entry, the fifth in the series, reimagines Carlo Collodi’s classic puppet tale as a horror narrative where Pinocchio’s desire to become a real boy takes a sinister turn. The film made its world premiere at the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival in April, with a theatrical release set for July 24 in both the U.K. (courtesy of Altitude) and North America (via Viva Pictures).

The narrative begins with young James, Geppetto’s grandson, grieving the loss of a childhood friend. Geppetto (played by Richard Brake) gifts James a new companion: the titular puppet. A chilling exclusive sneak peek reveals Geppetto’s prior research, documenting a breakthrough in learning that a soul or life energy can remain after death and be placed into another vessel for “rebirth.” This research culminated in shocking Pinocchio to life, demonstrating his ability to move without strings to a stunned audience, indicating his motor skills were rapidly improving beyond imagination.

Under the malevolent influence of a sinister Cricket, voiced by horror legend Robert Englund, Pinocchio embarks on a violent rampage. His goal is to free James from perceived evils around him and to transform himself into a real boy, piece by piece. The film is largely set within the walls of an elite London prep school, adding a unique backdrop to the coming-of-age horror story.

Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield, speaking after successful screenings at the Raindance Film Festival, described his approach to “Pinocchio Unstrung” as “campy, crafty and fun,” emphasizing that it is not intended to be taken “dead seriously.” He relished the challenge of using a puppet as the lead character, especially after the VFX-heavy production of “Bambi,” and found working with a controllable puppet to be an enjoyable experience.

Frake-Waterfield was particularly keen on using practical effects, drawing a comparison to Guillermo del Toro’s stop-motion “Pinocchio.” He aimed for a “crafty” and “kooky” feel, believing that the “janky movements” achievable through practical effects give the film its heart and are difficult to replicate with CGI. To achieve this, he enlisted Emmy-winning special effects artist Todd Masters, known for his work on “Child’s Play” and “Dune: Part Two,” to design the central Pinocchio puppet, recognizing its design as crucial for the film’s quality given Pinocchio serves as both “monster slash hero.”

The film distinguishes itself from previous adaptations by introducing fresh concepts, such as a new “mother tree” character, and deliberately moving away from the classic “lying is bad” narrative. Instead, “Unstrung” fully embraces the gory aspects, portraying Pinocchio ripping teeth and pulling skin, with blood dripping through his wooden crevasses, escalating the inherent darkness of Collodi’s original tale to a new level of horror.

The production benefited from a budget increase, allowing for the involvement of renowned talent. Richard Brake, a frequent collaborator with Rob Zombie, portrays Geppetto, while Robert Englund, famous for his role as Freddy Krueger, lends his voice to the Cricket. Frake-Waterfield noted that Englund’s voice performance was key in developing the character’s mannerisms and was an ideal role as it did not require strenuous physical involvement. Jack Art Gray provides the voice for Pinocchio, supported by Cameron Bell as James and Jessica Balmer as Mia.

“Pinocchio Unstrung” has garnered positive reception, with many considering it the strongest entry in the franchise so far, marking a “substantially improved” quality compared to the initial “Blood and Honey” film. Frake-Waterfield, who remained unfazed by the online backlash against the first installment, attributes this growth to continuous development and a commitment to improvement within Jagged Edge Productions.

With “Unstrung” now released, Frake-Waterfield is concentrating on his most ambitious project yet: “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble.” This upcoming crossover film aims to unite all the characters from the Twisted Childhood Universe in an “Avengers”-like fashion, with Pinocchio’s backstory feeding into the larger narrative. Filming is anticipated to begin later this year or early next year, promising a “kooky, crazy and fun” experience that Frake-Waterfield hopes will be a pioneering effort in the horror world.