In the most bizarre development of 2022, the once loveable and honey-obsessed Winnie the Pooh is officially the leading star of a new violent slasher film titled Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey. Far from the lush green pastures of the Hundred Acre Wood, this unusual yet unique horror film sees Pooh and Piglet go rogue, feasting on forest animals, rampaging the woods and murderously plotting against Christopher Robin.

The film, which Rolling Stone referred to as “childhood-ruining,” follows Pooh and Piglet’s journey after having been abandoned by their closest companion Robin. Seeking retribution, the two vigilantes begin to wreak havoc on the inhabitants of the forest, kidnapping a bikini-clad young woman from a hot tub, beheading a lone holiday-goer, and gorging themselves on all of the honey they can find. Honestly, you can’t make this stuff up.

Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey recently spoke about their motivations for the slasher flick with TMZ. In the interview, they expressed how “this film is for different people who want a different type of Winnie.” They also teased a future project where Peter Pan and the world of Neverland are transformed into a wild circus featuring Captain Hook and Tinkerbell as tormented freak show acts.

The trailer for Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey was released on 31 August 2022 and captures all of the goriest moments. Viewers watch on, horrified, as Pooh and Piglet smear blood on windows, consume eyeballs, and chase a terrified victim through a swimming pool while wielding an axe.

Following the release of the highly anticipated trailer, the film’s leading man himself gave audiences a closer glimpse into what to expect in theatres. The actor behind the mask, Craig Dowsett, has warned viewers that this movie is “not for the faint-hearted.” Speaking with UNILAD, Dowsett expressed his immediate excitement at the prospect of taking on this iconic role. “When I first read the script I knew this was going to be special!” he exclaimed.

The Guardian, having recently reviewed the trailer, stressed the significance of the antagonists’ identities. The publication emphasised that the film’s primary purpose is to shock audiences by “subverting an innocent icon like Pooh.” For many of us, we remember Alan Alexander Milne’s creation as a simple creature whose soft voice and friendly nature helped soothe many of his companions when they were struggling. However, now we’re faced with a Pooh who craves bloodshed, violence and destruction—quite a big contrast.

We should ask ourselves, if the stars of this film had been obscure inventions rather than historic symbols of nostalgia, would we all still be so enthralled?

In all seriousness, we highly doubt the film will make an appearance during awards season. That being said, it’s somewhat comforting knowing that, out there in the ether, a piece of cinema exists to further cement Milnes’ seminal character Winnie the Pooh as a cultural icon.