Here I am talking about another horror movie.
If you’ve been following my reviews, you know this is still a relatively new genre for me. A year ago, there is a good chance I would’ve skipped Pinocchio Unstrung entirely. Now, I’m finding myself appreciating horror more and more, and I’m genuinely enjoying the process.
I had the opportunity to see an early screening of Pinocchio Unstrung, and while it definitely has plenty of gore and body horror, I’m glad I watched it. Full disclosure: I closed my eyes a few times. I’m still working on that part.
The story follows a young boy who owns a wooden doll named Pinocchio. The doll becomes obsessed with becoming a real boy and develops a dangerous jealousy toward the child who owns him. It’s an unusual premise, and honestly, I don’t think the story is the strongest part of the film.
What impressed me was the filmmaking.
From the opening scenes, the visual style stood out. The environments are beautifully crafted, and the movie feels far more cinematic than I expected. Horror films continue to raise the bar visually, and this is another great example.
Then I found out how they created Pinocchio.
I assumed the character was CGI.
It isn’t.
The filmmakers relied on puppeteering and animatronics, and that completely changed my appreciation for what I was watching. It brought back memories of the practical effects that made so many horror films from the ’80s so memorable.
The same goes for the gore. Much of what you’re seeing on screen was created with practical effects, props, prosthetics, and fake blood rather than computer-generated effects. There’s a texture and realism that CGI often struggles to replicate, and it adds another layer to the experience.
If you’re interested in filmmaking, practical effects, or movie magic behind the scenes, this film is worth watching for that reason alone.
The cast also does a solid job. Cameron Bell delivers a strong performance as James, especially considering how demanding the role is. Richard Brake is very good as Geppetto, and horror icon Robert Englund appears as Cricket, adding another fun element for genre fans.
The acting is solid throughout, even if some of the dialogue doesn’t always land. The story itself is already built around a fairly nonsensical concept, so expecting complete realism would be missing the point.
If you’re a fan of the Chucky movies, I think you’ll enjoy this. Personally, I found it more entertaining than the M3GAN films. It leans into practical filmmaking in a way that feels refreshing, and that craftsmanship became my favorite part of the experience.
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Pinocchio Unstrung won’t be for everyone, especially if you’re not a fan of gore. But if you appreciate practical effects, puppetry, animatronics, and seeing filmmakers embrace old-school techniques, this is absolutely worth checking out.
