The twisted world of Jagged Edge Productions’ Poohniverse is expanding once again! And this time, the target is a storybook classic you thought you knew. Pinocchio: Unstrung is the latest horror entry in the franchise, turning the innocent puppet into a sinister, murderous force and the first trailer confirms it’s not holding back.
A Nightmare Reimagined
The trailer introduces audiences to a Pinocchio far removed from the wooden boy we grew up loving. This Pinocchio forms a disturbing bond with a young boy, guided by a malevolent version of the Cricket voiced by none other than Robert Englund, best known as Freddy Krueger in A Nightmare on Elm Street. From there, the narrative spirals into a brutal killing spree as the puppet pursues his dark interpretation of becoming “a real boy.”
The trailer teases gruesome sequences that will make horror aficionados flinch, including one particularly shocking scene where Pinocchio forcibly peels off a victim’s skin. If the trailer is any indication, audiences are in for a terrifying, visually inventive ride.
Creative Force Behind The Horror
The film is written and directed by Rhys Frake-Waterfield, who has been instrumental in shaping the Poohniverse’s aesthetic — a blend of dark satire, body horror, and subversive storytelling. The ensemble cast brings together talent including Evan Lloyd, Richard Brake, Adrian Burton, Peter DeSouza-Feighoney, Charlotte Jackson Coleman, Kelly Rian Sanson, Karolina Knight, Alexander Butler, Cameron Bell, and Jessica Balmer.
Executive producers Stuart Alson and Nicole Holland, alongside producers Frake-Waterfield and Scott Jeffrey, promise that the project maintains the franchise’s signature vision. Behind the camera, cinematographer Vince Knight crafts a visually striking nightmare world, while composer Andrew Scott Bell adds an eerie, tension-filled score.
The Poohniverse Expands
Pinocchio: Unstrung follows the success of previous Poohniverse entries including: Winnie-The-Pooh: Blood and Honey, Blood and Honey 2 continued the carnage with even more inventive horror sequences. While Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare and Bambi: The Reckoning proved that no childhood favorite is safe in Jagged Edge’s vision.
The Poohniverse has carved a unique niche in independent horror, turning nostalgia into a macabre spectacle that keeps audiences guessing what classic story will be “unstrung” next.
If the trailer is any indication, Pinocchio: Unstrung isn’t just another shock value. In fact, it’s a twisted exploration of obsession, identity, and the horrifying cost of desire. It promises to push the boundaries of practical and visual horror while maintaining the dark humor the Poohniverse is known for.
For fans of the franchise, it’s another deliciously horrifying chapter. For horror newcomers, it’s a warning that nothing is safe, and everything can be turned on its head. With that being said, Pinocchio: Unstrung is expected in theaters later this year and based on the trailer, it’s ready to carve out a terrifying place in the horror landscape.