James is introduced by his grandfather, Geppetto, to a seemingly magical wooden doll named Pinocchio. As the two become friends, James unknowingly exposes the naïve puppet to the darker aspects of the world. Unable to understand human morality, Pinocchio begins a violent crusade to eliminate everything he perceives as "bad." Influenced by a sinister Cricket and driven by a desire to become a real boy, Pinocchio's quest turns increasingly murderous and grotesque.