Horror Film Reviews Spotlight 'The Black Phone' and 'Pinocchio: Unstrung

Two recent horror releases have drawn attention for their distinct approaches to fear. "The Black Phone," adapted from Joe Hill’s short story, follows teenager Finney Blake (Mason Thames) as he is trapped by a masked killer known as The Grabber (Ethan Hawke). Critics praise its atmospheric tension, strong performances and emotional storytelling over graphic gore, noting a slow‑burn style that rewards patient viewers.

"Pinocchio: Unstrung," the latest effort from Jagged Edge Productions, reimagines Carlo Collodi’s wooden boy as a nightmarish figure. The film blends handmade shadow puppetry and animatronics, with Richard Brake voicing a treacle‑toned Gepetto. Reviewers highlight its unsettling visual style and the unsettling twist on a classic tale, though reactions are mixed regarding its effectiveness as horror.

Both movies illustrate a trend of adapting familiar stories into psychological horror, emphasizing mood and inventive visuals rather than pure shock value.