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The Mastermind Behind Evil Pooh Bear Is Back With Another Twisted Childhood Nightmare
Remember when everyone's favorite honey-loving bear went feral in "Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey"? Well, British indie filmmaker Rhys Frake-Waterfield has apparently decided that one childhood nightmare wasn't enough. His latest offering, "Pinocchio: Unstrung," takes the beloved wooden boy and gives him a decidedly dark makeover. While the concept of weaponized children's characters might have felt fresh back in 2023, this follow-up struggles to justify its own existence beyond being yet another entry in what Frake-Waterfield optimistically calls his "Twisted Childhood Universe."
Where the Puppetry Shines (And Everything Else... Doesn't)
Here's the honest truth: if you're going to watch "Pinocchio: Unstrung," do it for the puppet work. The film's saving grace lies in its surprisingly creative technical execution . the killer puppet sequences are genuinely inventive and occasionally unsettling. Frake-Waterfield clearly knows his way around a low-budget set and has developed some genuine skill in making the impossible look convincing on screen. The man has resourcefulness, there's no denying that.
What he doesn't have, unfortunately, is a compelling story to tell. The narrative feels thin . more like a sketch that got stretched past its breaking point than a fully realized horror film. The scares are predictable, the pacing drags in places, and by the time the credits roll, you might find yourself wondering what exactly you just watched (and why).
The Verdict: Fun For Fans of the First One, Maybe
Let's be real: if you found yourself chuckling at a bloodthirsty Pooh Bear, there's a decent chance you'll get some entertainment value here. Frake-Waterfield has a certain scrappy charm and occasionally displays genuine wit in how he approaches these dark reimaginings. But "Pinocchio: Unstrung" never transcends its gimmick, and the "Twisted Childhood Universe" concept feels more tired with each installment rather than more intriguing.
The film isn't offensively bad . it's just aggressively mediocre. It won't earn Frake-Waterfield a shelf of Razzies, but it also won't convert skeptics into fans. Sometimes a bad idea executed with some skill is still just... an okay movie.
Bottom Line
"Pinocchio: Unstrung" is a technically creative but narratively hollow horror entry that will appeal primarily to those who already enjoy Frake-Waterfield's particular brand of twisted nostalgia. Everyone else can safely give this one a pass.
