Everyone Thought This ‘Pinocchio Unstrung’ Puppet Was CGI… They Were Wrong
One of the biggest surprise horror movies of the summer has quietly become one of our most anticipated. When the […]
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. 😳🪵
— Brad @ Dread Central (@DreadCentral) July 3, 2026
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]
👇… pic.twitter.com/OzKtD9nksM
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.