'Frankenstein' Is Great, but This 93% Fresh Horror Remains My Favorite Guillermo del Toro Film
It is a parable that makes you believe that, even in the darkest of times, a spark of humanity can be found.
It's hard to imagine a more perfect marriage of director and material than Guillermo del Toro and Frankenstein.
In my opinion, however, the most intimate and impressive movie in his filmography is neither the new film nor the Oscar-winning The Shape of Water or Pan's Labyrinth.
It's the lesser-known but profound 2001 work – The Devil's Backbone.
What Is 'The Devil's Backbone' About?
The story begins with Carlos, a boy who is brought to a Spanish Civil War orphanage. His father's confidant leaves him there, and his world crumbles in an instant.
Soon, however, homesickness gives way to true terror when the ghost of Santi, a boy who disappeared the day a bomb fell in the courtyard, begins haunting the stone corridors at night.
Carlos must confront the supernatural and unravel the mystery of Santi's disappearance, which is closely intertwined with the dark secrets of the adults.
'The Devil's Backbone' Established Guillermo del Toro's Signature Style
In hindsight, I see The Devil's Backbone as the quintessence of everything we love about del Toro. It was his creative manifesto formulated on a modest budget, which only fueled his imagination.
Here, he first outlined his enduring themes: innocence confronted by the monstrous, ghosts of the past taking on flesh, and humanism found in the darkest corners.
One of the most brilliant and poignant symbols of his career was also born here: the unexploded bomb in the yard. To the boys, it's not just a shell but a living being with a beating heart.
'The Devil's Backbone' Is a Unique Mix of War Drama and Dark Fairy Tale
Del Toro masterfully blends gothic tale, supernatural detective story, and gritty war drama. Santi's ghost isn't just a terrifying antagonist – like all of del Toro's monsters, he's a victim in need of love and understanding.
The movie navigates the intersection of the tangible horror of war and the otherworldly terror of the ghost, ultimately creating its own unique cinematic space.
The Devil's Backbone remains a benchmark for telling a poignant human story while cloaking it in sophisticated, intelligent horror.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'The Devil's Backbone'?
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The Devil's Backbone has 93% from critics and 89% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
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On IMDb, the movie has a score of 7.4/10.
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On Letterboxd, The Devil's Backbone scored 3.8/5.0.
Where to Watch 'The Devil's Backbone'?
The Devil's Backbone is available to stream on MUBI, or you can buy/rent it on Apple TV and Prime Video.
