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One of the biggest surprise horror movies of the summer has quietly become one of our most anticipated.
When the first images from Pinocchio Unstrung surfaced, they certainly caught our attention. But it wasn’t until the film’s blood-soaked trailer debuted that we were completely sold. The twisted reimagining of the classic fairy tale follows a murderous wooden boy who collects pieces of his victims in a gruesome attempt to become a real boy, and it looks every bit as nasty as horror fans could hope for.
What really stood out, though, was Pinocchio himself.
Many fans wondered whether the unsettling puppet was created with CGI or practical effects. Now, thanks to newly surfaced behind-the-scenes footage, we finally have our answer—and it’s exactly what practical effects fans were hoping for.
Wait… this ISN’T CGI. 😳🪵
The killer puppet in ‘PINOCCHIO UNSTRUNG’ is a fully practical animatronic, and the behind-the-scenes footage is blowing our minds.
Are practical effects making a comeback, or will CGI always win?
Full details here: [https://t.co/QcTTlyuXlj]
— Brad @ Dread Central (@DreadCentral) July 3, 2026
The circulating test footage showcases the fully animatronic Pinocchio puppet in action, complete with remarkably expressive facial movements, blinking eyes, and an articulated mouth that gives the character an eerily lifelike presence. It immediately evokes the kind of craftsmanship horror fans associate with classics like Child’s Play.
That level of quality shouldn’t come as a surprise.
Emmy-winning special effects legend Todd Masters oversaw the film’s practical animatronics and puppetry, bringing the killer puppet to life almost entirely through practical effects rather than relying on digital animation.
Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield recently told Variety that the goal was “to push the boundaries of practical effects while making Pinocchio feel unsettlingly real,” and the newly surfaced footage certainly backs up that claim.
Digging a little deeper, we also came across another behind-the-scenes clip that showcases exactly the kind of practical gore that has us excited. In the footage, Pinocchio’s wooden hand violently tears the face from one of his victims using what appears to be entirely practical effects.
It’s the sort of craftsmanship that feels increasingly rare in modern horror. Had Pinocchio Unstrung arrived during the late ’90s or early 2000s, it would have been the kind of cult discovery horror fans stumbled across at the local video store and recommended to everyone they knew.
Instead, we’ll get the chance to experience it on the big screen.
Directed by Rhys Frake-Waterfield, Pinocchio Unstrung stars Richard Brake as Geppetto and Robert Englund as the sinister Cricket. The film is scheduled to open in North American theaters on July 24 through Viva Pictures, continuing the ever-expanding Twisted Childhood Universe.
If these behind-the-scenes videos are any indication, Pinocchio Unstrung may end up being remembered just as much for its outstanding practical effects as its outrageous body count. Considering Frake-Waterfield’s stated goal of pushing practical effects while making the character feel “unsettlingly real,” the production appears to have accomplished exactly that. For horror fans who still appreciate real animatronics, puppetry, and buckets of practical gore, this is shaping up to be one theatrical release you won’t want to miss.
Categorized:News