Weekend Pick or Pass: Pinocchio: Unstrung (2026) on Moviebox

Well, hello there. How's the weekend looking so far? There's a good chance you've had your eye on Saturday's movie selection from Moviebox and I'm here to tell you about some of this week's new picks. If you've been wondering what happens when classic characters collide with some modern imagination and a dark touch, look no further. Directed by Rhys Frake-Waterfield, with a reputation for putting his spin on public domain movies, welcome to the world premiere of Pinocchio: Unstrung. If you were ever wondering what gives this little wooden boy his violent edge, look no further than the film's devilish Cricket. With one brother a slow and methodical real boy maker, and the other a violent instrument of engineering, you're sure to get a different take on family dinners.

Unstrung Pinocchio wakes up one day from wishing on a star to a violent ambition and will stop at nothing to carve out his place in the world, one piece at a time. This is definitely not your grandparents movie with lessons of morality and the consequences that come with it. If you're looking for a movie that really commits to the fantasy dark side with a mystery horror story woven into the fabric of the film, look no further. At only 1 hour and 22 minutes, Unstrung Pinocchio is a perfect Friday night selection for people who don't want to make the time commitment to an epic fantasy saga. It certainly has its moments and keeps you on your toes wondering, "Do you think you know this movie?" while brandishing its tools of darkness. Dim the lights, hold your comfort item nice and tight, and let's see what all the fuss is about.

Pulling the Strings of Expectation

When making a horror movie based on a fairy tale, there are expectations. The audience doesn't want a movie that is just one joke that is stretched too long. Surprisingly, the creators of Pinocchio: Unstrung were able to avoid making a joke of a movie and actually tie everything together. The trick appears to be getting as specific as possible about what exactly drives the film’s monstrosity. Pinocchio’s violence is shocking, but if the audience understands the motive, they can relate to it. It’s important to have a purpose beyond just shocking the audience with jump scares. Creating a monster of a puppet is interesting. It’s about more than just having a puppet on a slash rampage rampage, it’s about having a unique perspective and showing a twisted outlook of the item of identification and having a sense of belonging.

This film's short run time is both its strength and potentially its weakness. However, as is, it works in the film’s favor, showing the audience that the film has no fat and will keep you interested with its engaging pace. On average, the film gets a 6.7, which is decent, and probably reflects that the film has what it take to entertain those “in the know” of this brand of horror. One reviewer said, “it does work [and] the others really couldn’t pull through in their own right,” reflecting that the film is able to carve its niche among the crowded horror subgenres. The idea that this film builds “tension naturally” and features “a justified twist and the ending is earned” shows that through its ridiculous plot, the film’s writers have structured a cohesive narrative. You end up watching this dark and twisted film on your journey and not just a series of grotesque scenes. Overall the film is schlock, however it achieves “effective schlock…” with its surprise level of narrative integrity.

Carving Out a Niche on Your Sofa

Now, where does Pinocchio: Unstrung fit your weekend schedule? Certainly not a gentle cup of tea Sunday Afternoon watch. Probably not a Saturday night popcorn blockbuster either. This is a Friday Night watch that gets the heart racing and (most likely) delivers some uncomfortable laughs. This film is a uniquely visceral and challenging take on the horror genre that will definitely appeal to that adventurous viewer. The film's twist of a violent puppet on a killing spree to become a real boy by disassembling others is certainly the type of evening if you are into that kind of thing. This film will be your way to spend the evening as the talented cast, bringing their A-game especially Richard Brake, helps to ground the fantasy a bit more into this world.

Being gory and for adults only, Pinocchio: Unstrung does not beat around the bush. If you don't like horror movies or aren't looking for any scares, don't pick this. If you want to see a movie that shows you how horrifying it can get, and you want to see it get there slowly and painfully, then this is the movie for you. It shows you the dark side of fantasy. There are a lot of movies that try to take on surrealism with a horror twist, but this one does a much better job than most public domain movies trying to do the same thing. This movie starts early with the red and stained cards and does something unique with horror while most movies are trying to be predictable with the scary movies of today. This movie is a nice, bloody surprise for you.