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The childhood tale of Pinocchio receives a considerably more gruesome makeover in Pinocchio: Unstrung, the latest horror reimagining from the team behind the Twisted Childhood Universe, arriving on DVD and Digital in the UK this September.

Geppetto (Richard Brake) has spent years hiding an extraordinary secret from the outside world: Pinocchio, a magical wooden creation capable of walking, talking and thinking for himself. When Geppetto introduces the puppet to his young grandson James (Cameron Bell), the boy is fascinated by his unusual new companion and begins teaching Pinocchio about the world beyond the confines of his creator's home.

Unfortunately, Pinocchio's innocent and dangerously literal understanding of right and wrong proves to be a deadly combination.

Encouraged by the sinister Cricket (voiced by horror icon Robert Englund), Pinocchio becomes convinced that the world is filled with bad people who need to be punished. What begins as a seemingly innocent desire to protect James soon develops into a violent crusade as the puppet takes it upon himself to eliminate anyone he considers wicked.

But Pinocchio also desperately wants to become a real boy like James. As his fascination with humanity grows, his attempts to transform himself become increasingly horrifying, leaving Geppetto facing the consequences of bringing his creation to life and James discovering that his new best friend may be far more dangerous than he ever imagined.

Written and directed by Rhys Frake-Waterfield, Pinocchio: Unstrung puts a blood-soaked spin on Carlo Collodi's classic The Adventures of Pinocchio, combining the familiar themes of innocence, morality and the desire to become human with the gruesome practical effects and slasher sensibilities of the Twisted Childhood Universe.

The film stars Richard Brake (Barbarian) as Geppetto, Cameron Bell as James and Jessica Balmer as Mia, with Jude Evan Lloyd providing the voice of Pinocchio and A Nightmare on Elm Street legend Robert Englund lending his unmistakable voice to the decidedly less helpful Cricket.

Following its UK premiere at the Raindance Film Festival and subsequent cinema release, Pinocchio: Unstrung is released on DVD and Digital in the UK by Altitude Film Distribution on 7th September 2026.