A horror film where Winnie the Pooh and Piglet turn into psychopathic killers has been voted as the worst film of 2023 by the Razzie Awards, prizes designed as anti-Oscars.
With its budget of less than $250,000,
Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey
hit the headlines last year, to the point of generating death threats from outraged fans of the cute little bear.
If the adventures of Winnie and his companions - Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger - have been the subject of a license held by Disney for decades, the legal protection of Milne's first books, released in 1926, has now expired.
The original character therefore fell into the public domain, allowing this nightmarish adaptation.
Also read: Blood and Honey: Winnie the Pooh hits the headlines with a horror film
If it succeeded in creating a buzz by grabbing the teddy bear, the horror film is now stamped with the seal of infamy, awarded very officially by the Razzies.
It was not only voted as the worst film of the year, but also won awards for worst director and worst screenplay.
A box full of mediocrity, which however is not likely to embarrass director Rhys Frake-Waterfield.
His film grossed nearly $5 million, after benefiting from a worldwide theatrical release thanks to the controversy it generated.
And the sequel is already due out next month.
Last year, he explained to AFP that he was also considering horror films based on the books
Bambi
and
Peter Pan
.
A parody award, the Razzies were created in 1981 to poke fun at Hollywood's culture of self-righteousness.
They are announced each year the day before the Oscars.
This year, actor Jon Voight won the worst actor award for the thriller
Mercy
.
Megan Fox was voted worst actress for the horror film
Johnny & Clyde
.