In just a few days, the Jagged Edge team is officially snapping the strings and turning your childhood memories into terror yet again with Pinocchio: Unstrung.
Pinocchio: Unstrung is the latest blood-soaked entry in the Twisted Childhood Universe. And it is gearing up to mutilate a theater near you on July 24, 2026. The film is already riding a massive wave of momentum, fresh off its UK Premiere at the Raindance Film Festival.
The plot follows the legendary Richard Brake as Geppetto. He is a well-meaning grandfather who gives his grandson an antique wooden doll. Naturally, this triggers a horrific domino effect. Pinocchio develops a highly warped moral compass. He decides that the best way to be a “real, good boy” is to eliminate anyone he deems “bad.”
Architects of the franchise, writer-director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Chambers, have clearly mastered the art of turning public-domain nostalgia into pure box-office nightmare fuel. To ensure maximum insomnia, they also recruited horror royalty Robert Englund (A Nightmare on Elm Street). Englund lends his iconic, sinister voice to a demonic incarnation of Jiminy Cricket. The talent doesn’t stop there. The special effects were created by the legendary artist Todd Masters, who also joined us for an interview about the film.
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Sitting Down with a Legend: Richard Brake
Richard Brake is an absolute titan of the genre, having delivered unforgettable, spine-chilling performances in Rob Zombie’s 31 and 3 from Hell, the terrifying opening sequence of Barbarian, and high-profile series like Mayor of Kingstown. He has a rare, mesmerizing gift for portraying deeply dark, twisted, and mercurial characters with terrifying ease.
So, when the opportunity arose to sit down for an exclusive interview with the man behind Geppetto, there was absolutely no hesitation. (Let’s be real—I am a total fangirl).
While his on-screen presence can make your blood run cold, meeting him in real life is a completely different story. Brake was an absolute pleasure to converse with—warm, incredibly kind, and deeply well-spoken about his craft. In Unstrung, he pulls off an impressive dual tightrope act, portraying both a tender, loving grandfather and a deeply fractured, brutal puppet master. It is a fantastic anchor performance that grounds the film’s chaotic slasher energy in genuine emotional weight.
Watch our full, exclusive interview below to see behind-the-scenes insights into the making of the movie. Make sure to buy your tickets now, Pinocchio: Unstrung slashes its way into theaters this Friday, July 24!
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