It’s not about wood coming to life, but about lives being shaped by foreign hands. Guillermo del Toro’s version of “Pinocchio” goes far beyond a mere aesthetic reinvention of a classic. Here, the Mexican filmmaker constructs a narrative where childhood rebellion becomes a symbol of resistance in a world obsessed with conformity. Mussolini’s Italy is not just a backdrop: it represents an authoritarian ideal trying to stifle any spark of individuality. Winner of the 2023 Oscar for Best Animated Feature, del Toro once again establishes himself as a master of dense, visually arresting worlds, where fantasy becomes the key to revealing truth.
Far from seeking mere empathy, the puppet who refuses to be tamed provokes visceral discomfort. Pinocchio, with his untamed essence, defies a world intent on shaping him — whether through Gepetto’s love, Volpe’s ambition, or the State’s impositions. His restless spirit breaks the bounds of obedience and becomes an allegory for all who do not fit in. The pain of loss and the yearning for acceptance turn Gepetto into a torn figure, unable to cope with the freedom he granted his creation. What unfolds is an intense clash between what is expected of a child and what that child allows himself to be.
The film’s strength lies in the complexity of human relationships translated into animated form. Every frame meticulously crafted by del Toro and Mark Gustafson radiates a somber beauty, capable of expressing the unease of a crumbling world. Fascism, ever-present like a haunting specter, compels all to submit: worshippers to the altar, children to parents, workers to masters. Pinocchio’s journey weaves through this logic of domination, but within it pulses a fierce question: how far must we bend to be loved? The puppet’s refusal to follow the prewritten script echoes as a cry for self-preservation.
Attempts at control — whether emotional or political — are unmasked with precision. Count Volpe, the embodiment of opportunism, exposes the fragility of a society that turns everything into spectacle, even what should be free. Gepetto’s search for Pinocchio is not merely a physical pursuit, but an intimate journey of understanding: true love does not demand conformity. Amidst visual enchantment and poignant reflections, “Pinocchio” reveals itself as a mature narrative, where the lesson lies not in becoming human, but in refusing to be shaped. And in the end, the question remains: how often do we become puppets just to fit into the molds the world offers us?
Film: Pinocchio
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Year: 2022
Genre: Animation
Rating: 9/10