Guillermo del Toro’s PINOCCHIO on Netflix is a wonderful animated version of the story about a puppet that comes alive. This time with a focus on the similarities with Frankenstein. Read our Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio movie review here!

Guillermo del Toro’s PINOCCHIO is a new Netflix movie from the iconic genre story filmmaker. With a story that focuses on a puppet that comes to life, the similarities with the Frankenstein story are more outspoken.

While this movie might seem wildly different from other movies by Guillermo del Toro, it really isn’t. We’re still dealing with the same existential questions that a movie like Hellboy or Pan’s Labyrinth touches on. Sure, this is animated, but it’s definitely not “just” a movie for children!

Continue reading our Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio movie review below. Find it on Netflix from December 9, 2022. Also, it’s out in select theaters.

A very different take on the famous puppet story

With this new take on Pinocchio, the story has been moved to another time period. We’re still in Italy, but quite a few decades later – in fact, decades after author, Carlo Collodi, died. Instead, Guillermo del Toro has opted for placing the story in the age when Mussolini ascends to power in Italy.

A time when too many citizens seem to behave like a puppet and do whatever they are told. Well, except for the actual puppet, of course, since Pinocchio is a new and curious being. And, sure, he is easily tricked, but even he can tell that this Mussolini character is not good for anyone or anything.

He can feel in his non-existent heart that he has to disobey to stay true to himself. To his soul. And yes, he does have a soul, which is something that also becomes a core part of Guillermo del Toro’s PINOCCHIO.

The impressive cast of voice actors

The voice actors in Guillermo del Toro’s PINOCCHIO are obviously also brilliant. Featuring David Bradley (Jolt) as Geppetto and Ewan McGregor (Doctor Sleep) as Cricket.

The title role is played by the young Gregory Mann. He plays both Pinocchio and the “real boy” Carlo, who was named lovingly after the book’s author. Also, you’ll be hearing the voice of Tilda Swinton, along with the easily recognizable voice of Christoph Waltz (Alita: Battle Angel).

Also, there’s Cate Blanchett playing Spazzatura which is a brilliant twist! And yes, of course, Ron Perlman plays a key role just as he has in most of Guillermo del Toro’s movies. In Pinocchio, he plays the role of Podesta.

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022) Netflix Review

PINOCCHIO on Netflix is all about life and death

Guillermo del Toro has helped viewers along by pointing out a few questions that this version of Pinocchio will explore. Questions such as: Can something that was never alive become human? Is disobedience actually a virtue? Is there a dark side to obeying blindly?

And perhaps, the core question of “What makes our span in this world precious and important?” where the answer is: Death!

Anything that is finite, has a value simply in existing. With Guillermo del Toro’s PINOCCHIO, a little wooden puppet comes to life. But how can a puppet die? Well, you’ll see in this movie, which is as much about death as it is about life.

After all, one cannot exist without the other.

This is also why you’ll want to watch this one with the younger viewers. Of course. Disney movies do tend to also be quite creepy in their own right. Still, this one is from Guillermo del Toro, so it is quite a bit deeper and darker. Also, fans of the Frankenstein story should feel love for that one as well.

Watch Guillermo del Toro’s PINOCCHIO on Netflix now!

The directors of the Netflix movie Pinocchio are both Guillermo del Toro and Mark Gustafson. The screenplay comes from Guillermo del Toro and Patrick McHale, based on a screen story by Guillermo del Toro and Matthew Robbins (Crimson Peak).

And, of course, it’s all based on the Italian book “Pinocchio” from 1883, which was written by Carlo Collodi. The movie was made by the very best animators from all across the world. The fact that the Henson Company is also involved, should tell you a lot.

No matter how you feel about animation – and stop motion in particular – I urge you to check out this Netflix movie. To use a quote from Guillermo del Toro “In many ways, stop motion animation is to live action what Ginger Rogers was to Fred: we do all the same steps, but backwards in high heels.”

What the filmmakers have accomplished with Pinocchio in this stop motion version is beyond impressive. My mind can’t even truly understand it, which is probably why I end up forgetting that I am, in fact, watching a stop motion production.

This is the result of over one thousand days of shooting and more than 60 units of production in Mexico and Portland. Stats that take my breath away! In fact, this production is as breathtaking as the story is both uplifting and heartbreaking – both in life-affirming ways!

Guillermo del Toro’s PINOCCHIO is on Netflix from December 9, 2022.

Details

Directors: Guillermo del Toro & Mark Gustafson
Writers: Guillermo del Toro & Patrick McHale
Cast: Gregory Mann, Ewan McGregor, David Bradley, Tilda Swinton, Finn Wolfhard, Ron Perlman, Cate Blanchett, Christoph Waltz

Plot

Academy Award®-winning director Guillermo del Toro and award winning, stop-motion legend Mark Gustafson reimagine the classic Carlo Collodi tale of the fabled wooden boy with a whimsical tour de force that finds Pinocchio on an enchanted adventure that transcends worlds and reveals the life-giving power of love.

I write reviews and recaps on Heaven of Horror. And yes, it does happen that I find myself screaming, when watching a good horror movie. I love psychological horror, survival horror and kick-ass women. Also, I have a huge soft spot for a good horror-comedy. Oh yeah, and I absolutely HATE when animals are harmed in movies, so I will immediately think less of any movie, where animals are harmed for entertainment (even if the animals are just really good actors). Fortunately, horror doesn't use this nearly as much as comedy. And people assume horror lovers are the messed up ones. Go figure!
Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard
Latest posts by Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard (see all)