Robert Englund’s Evil Cricket Brings a Nightmare Twist to PINOCCHIO UNSTRUNG iin New Clip
The Twisted Childhood Universe is gearing up for another warped fairy tale adaptation, and Pinocchio Unstrung looks like it may be one of its most unsettling yet.
The upcoming horror film from director Rhys Frake-Waterfield takes the familiar story of Pinocchio and drags it into much darker territory, complete with murder, practical effects, and an iconic horror legend lending his voice to one of the story’s most recognizable characters.
Pinocchio Unstrung reimagines the classic wooden puppet in a way that’s a far cry from the beloved 1940 Disney animated film. While Disney’s version already had some surprisingly dark moments for a family movie, this latest horror interpretation pushes the concept much further into nightmare fuel territory.
One of the film’s biggest draws is the involvement of Robert Englund, the horror icon forever associated with Freddy Krueger. Englund voices Cricket, the character inspired by the talking insect from Carlo Collodi’s original The Adventures of Pinocchio. Fans expecting a conscience-like guide similar to Jiminy Cricket should adjust their expectations.
In this twisted version of the story, Cricket doesn’t steer Pinocchio toward making good choices. Instead, he fuels the puppet’s increasingly violent worldview.
After Pinocchio’s "brother" James exposes him to the ugliness of humanity, Cricket encourages the puppet’s desire to purge the world of what he sees as “rot.” Believing he’s on a righteous mission, Pinocchio embarks on a bloody rampage in pursuit of becoming a real boy.
Englund’s distinctive voice brings an extra layer of menace to a character audiences have traditionally viewed as friendly and reassuring. Pairing that with a homicidal Pinocchio creates exactly the kind of twisted contrast that has become the TCU’s trademark.
Richard Brake steps into the role of Geppetto, while newcomer Jack Art Gray provides the voice of Pinocchio himself. Together, they bring a darker spin to a story that has always centered on identity, belonging, and transformation.
One aspect of the production that I like is its commitment to practical effects and real puppetry. Rather than relying entirely on digital creations, the filmmakers have built Pinocchio as a physical puppet, giving the character an eerie presence.
There’s something uniquely unsettling about seeing a childhood icon brought to life this way, especially when that character is carving his way through victims instead of learning life lessons.
Pinocchio Unstrung arrives in theaters on July 24.