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The Devil's Backbone
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The Devil's Backbone

2001
Drama
Suspense/Thriller
1h 46m
It is 1939, the end of three years of bloody civil war in Spain, and General Franco's right-wing Nationalists are poised to defeat the left-wing Republican forces. A ten-year-old boy named Carlos (Fernando Tielve), the son of a fallen Republican war hero, is left by his tutor in an orphanage in the middle of nowhere. The orphanage is run by a curt but considerate headmistress named Carmen (Marisa Paredes) and a kindly Professor Casares, both of whom are sympathetic to the doomed Republican cause. (imdb)
Directed by:
Guillermo del Toro Guillermo del Toro
Written by:
Guillermo del Toro Guillermo del Toro Antonio Trashorras
+1 more
Starring:
Marisa Paredes Marisa Paredes Federico Luppi Federico Luppi Fernando Tielve Fernando Tielve Íñigo Garcés Junio Valverde Irene Visedo Eduardo Noriega Eduardo Noriega
More
Genres:
Drama, Suspense/Thriller, Horror
AKA:
espinazo del diablo, El
Countries:
Mexico, Spain
Language:
Spanish
imdb More information at IMDb
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The Devil's Backbone

2001
Drama
Suspense/Thriller
1h 46m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 63.29% from 1921 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

(1921)
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fredericg54frederic_g54
Rated 28 Jun 2009
8
78th
If "Pan's Labyrinth" had sex with "The Orphanage", "The Devil's Backbone" would be their illegitimate child.
Rated 28 Jun 2009
doctor7doctor7
Rated 26 Feb 2007
78
68th
Certainly creepy and pretty violent. It felt quite a bit like Pan's Labyrinth to me so I wasn't surprised to see they're both written and directed by the same person. Truth be told I preferred Pan's Labyrinth and I felt some of the plot elements in this film could've been fleshed out more but this is well worth watching.
Rated 26 Feb 2007
filmfreak88filmfreak88
Rated 13 Jun 2014
80
78th
As hauntingly atmospheric as it is exquisitely mournful, this early Del Toro work is both intimately personal and potently political and it's an impressively crafted precursor to what will be his masterwork (Pan's Labyrinth) in terms of thematic scope and genre subversion.
Rated 13 Jun 2014
paxtonPaxton
Rated 08 Oct 2018
70
65th
Just like my career, this didn't connect with me the way I wanted it to.
Rated 08 Oct 2018
terrymacterrymac
Rated 16 Oct 2019
80
84th
Not quite what I expected, but none the worse for it. The supernatural aspects are played down; the scares come from the backdrop of the civil war, and the human monsters. Really very well made, tense, sad and occasionally affecting. It's brought to life by an engaging cast, including a credible band of youngsters. Has a lot in common with the later Pan's Labyrinth, including having a proper bastard of a baddie; I think it would appeal to folk who liked that one. Recommended.
Rated 16 Oct 2019
thewhalerTheWhaler
Rated 12 May 2009
85
76th
Another great movie from Del Torro. Love his use of child characters and their endless span of imagination. A great story, worth a few watches.
Rated 12 May 2009
catscandalCatScandal
Rated 28 Dec 2007
59
69th
Good tension, though the film is not really frightening, some fairly interesting characters, and a very intriguing setting. The symbolism is occasionally awkward, but nonetheless interesting. The direction is very confident, but the film's not quite perfect. Luckily, the companion piece Pan's Labyrinth came along five years later to prove that del Toro could live up to the promise in this film.
Rated 28 Dec 2007
curioushaircurioushair
Rated 08 Sep 2007
84
91st
A Spanish ghost story from the director of Pan's Labyrinth. It's never scary but the details are evocative from the unexploded bomb nested in the central courtyard to the mystery of the drowned boy. It's lyrical, haunting and intriguing and the characters are wonderful. The special features are neat, the making-of is simply stage-by-stage without commentary, set to music.
Rated 08 Sep 2007
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 29 Nov 2008
81
64th
Quite effective and visually slick and for a film with so many children the acting is quite good. That said, it never quite surpasses being very good as many elements could use more fleshing out.
Rated 29 Nov 2008
petrostserPetrosTser
Rated 20 Apr 2018
60
44th
Eerie but not scary, interesting but not riveting, "El espinazo del diablo" is a worthwhile early film from del Toro that captivates the viewer but without showcasing the director's mastery in its fullness. The plot and symbolism felt a bit basic and the visual splendor that graces his later work is absent yet the execution is confident.
Rated 20 Apr 2018
omicron91Omicron91
Rated 15 Oct 2008
92
79th
A good old horror movie.
Rated 15 Oct 2008
stainStain
Rated 29 Apr 2007
60
47th
Well-made but not scary or even particularly engaging
Rated 29 Apr 2007
kojilessKojiless
Rated 11 Feb 2011
78
82nd
I didn't know Brendan Fraser could act...oh, wait...
Rated 11 Feb 2011
leonardisLeonardis
Rated 21 Nov 2021
93
75th
Guillermo Del Toro may be one of the best storytellers working today. I have yet to see a movie of his that I dislike and this is definitely one of his very best. All of the acting was really good (most of the kids are great) and the cinema and rustic look of everything was beautiful and easy to get lost in. Starts out a bit eerie before becoming a harmless, violent, adult ghost story, and that worked really well. I’m surprised more people haven’t seen this. Very well made on all fronts.
Rated 21 Nov 2021
fudgiebfudgieb
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
55th
I really wanted to love this movie, but I ended up with only a like. It's pretty interesting and very original and I remember a lot about it. I think that's always the sign of promise. I could probably use another viewing.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
suture_selfSuture Self
Rated 06 Jun 2015
8
80th
Perhaps better viewed by young adults or adolescents than adults. Even though the fable-like allegory brings the politics of the war front and center, the moments of clarity and real significance tend to occur when the adults - even the sympathetic ones - are exposed to be just as weak, desperate, and forsaken as the children, if not more so. In this way, it becomes a story about the triumph of the young over those old enough to have been ruined by the war.
Rated 06 Jun 2015
obdurateObdurate
Rated 10 Feb 2013
75
53rd
I certainly enjoyed it, but maybe seeing Pan's Labyrinth first spoiled me (since they share some similarities). With that said, it's still a wonderfully crafted movie, pretty touching with some nice visual touches, and good acting from pretty much all the children involved.
Rated 10 Feb 2013
magdabagmagdabag
Rated 04 May 2022
90
79th
Had no prior knowledge to this before watching other than It being written and directed by Guillermo del Toro. I've del Toro's more popular works and loved them, but hadn't heard of this. I loved it! I thought all of the acting was topnotch, especially the kids, and was very invested from the beginning. If you're a del Toro fan or just like spooky ghost movies, I highly recommend this. I give 9 bombs out of 10.
Rated 04 May 2022
walkaboutwalkabout
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
97th
remains as Del Toro's true masterpiece...
Rated 14 Aug 2007
astrakhanastrakhan
Rated 09 Dec 2010
77
49th
A solid but fairly by-the-numbers drama/horror, well-made in its sombre tone and technically accomplished, but lacking real heart or magic. The baddies are bad, the kids are kiddish, and the ghosts are ghostly. However, I didn't see anything new, exciting or refreshing in the events depicted. It was a little boring.
Rated 09 Dec 2010
halfjapaneseHalfJapanese
Rated 14 Feb 2010
85
76th
A great period ghost story by Del Toro that established the precedent for his more successful Pan's Labyrinth. Both are great films, and suffice it to say that if you like one you will probably like the other.
Rated 14 Feb 2010
mojojojoMojo_Jojo
Rated 14 Aug 2008
51
35th
Interesting but it's hard to get involved for some reason, the film just fails to generate the required empathy. Worth a watch though, you can really see the roots from which the fantastic Pan's Labyrinth emerged.
Rated 14 Aug 2008
twincinematwincinema
Rated 01 May 2015
80
75th
A dreamy more-drama-than-horror ghost story. Set during the Spanish Civil War, and at an orphanage in the middle of nowhere, it both has a historical setting and one where time has no meaning. Outside forces exist, but they feel a far distance away. While there is a feeling of dread, there's also a sadness that surrounds every character. Only one ghost exists (a ghost, in this film, meaning a moment of regret stuck in amber), but it touches everyone.
Rated 01 May 2015
gritGrit
Rated 19 May 2007
78
84th
Del Toro creates another great film, ironing out of the creases from some of his earlier efforts to create his first true great. The way the film develops and the plotline are handled almost perfectly. Good to see Federico Luppi make another key appearance since his last role in "Cronos".
Rated 19 May 2007
djrossdjross
Rated 24 Feb 2011
50
44th
Some effective moments, but overall rather contrived and manipulative, so preoccupied with devising a gripping narrative, thinking up memorable images and playing with the viewer's emotions that it somehow undermines the audience's actual involvement. Perhaps it is that the film too heavily and crudely draws attention to its own "cinematic mastery", leaving the viewer with a sense of sound and fury, but only a veneer of significance. This feeling increases as the movie plays out its conclusion.
Rated 24 Feb 2011
stflyst_fly
Rated 03 May 2009
85
86th
Great. During the Spanish civil war, a 10 year old boy is brought to a desolate orphanage haunted by the ghost of a murdered kid. One of Mr del Toro's earlier works, this movie shines in every department. A rare masterpiece that lets you fully experience the tragedy of loss, love, greed and despair as intended by the filmmaker. Definitely worth buying.
Rated 03 May 2009
picklemanPickle_Man
Rated 31 Mar 2018
80
55th
Better than Pan's Labyrinth, but still not as good as Spirit of the Beehive. Keep trying Guillermo.
Rated 31 Mar 2018
sirstuckeySirStuckey
Rated 11 Jul 2016
80
78th
I very much enjoyed it. The acting was quite excellent. I enjoyed how centralized and relatively small the story was in a grand scope of a civil war that we mostly only hear about.
Rated 11 Jul 2016
moraesfelipemoraesfelipe
Rated 01 Aug 2015
74
77th
The dead are also entitled to justice. Beautiful Del Toro's ode to his fathers work amazingly well -- despite the flat acting from most of the cast --, in a way that combines his interest in the macabre and childhood dramas of abandon and sollitude. Serves as some sort of prequel to what he would craft in Pan's Labyrinth.
Rated 01 Aug 2015
vespera23vespera23
Rated 29 Mar 2011
82
74th
Less of a horror movie and more of a gripping grimdark drama. Well shot, acted, and written; my only complaint is they used the female lead's attractiveness as a substitue for actually developing her character.
Rated 29 Mar 2011
lady_moeLady Moe
Rated 30 Oct 2015
88
77th
A movie that intertwines a story of ghostly vengeance with the true horrors of life during the Spanish Civil War. These two elements of horror meld together in forming the feelings of a lonely child during such hard times, a theme that del Toro would later perfect in "El Laberinto del Fauno", and the two films serve as companion pieces: one being horror and the other being fantasy. The cinematography is rustic and beautiful all the while capturing the desolation of the setting.
Rated 30 Oct 2015
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 30 Sep 2011
58
15th
Dull ghost story with half-hearted commentary on the Spanish Civil War. The characters are bland, the scares entirely absent, the story feels slapped together. It's just really hard to care about what's going on, and there's not much going on anyway. Carlos approaches the ghost and then gets scared and runs away. Creepy Eli Roth-looking dude does something nasty. Repeat, repeat, repeat. While the craftsmanship is somewhat impressive, it's an empty experience, free of passion, wisdom or thrills.
Rated 30 Sep 2011
amerigoamerigo
Rated 06 Nov 2007
90
96th
So I went back and watched this film after Pan's Labyrinth. Halfway through, I'm thinking: Guillermo sure is a one trick pony when doing films about the Spanish Civil War--childish escapism juxtaposed with a violent adult realism, same general plotline, same character archtypes, same formula. But then past the halfway mark, I don't really care, because he's the only writer/director who can pull it off uniquely and beautifully each time. This is film is as masterful as the one to come after it.
Rated 06 Nov 2007
bitch_alertBitch Alert
Rated 29 Aug 2008
90
92nd
Del Toros best - at least until Pan.
Rated 29 Aug 2008
ribcageribcage
Rated 27 Feb 2014
77
71st
fantastic story, nice creepy ghost. the villain is one of the most under-your-skin sons of bitches i've ever seen in a movie. excellent direction from del toro.
Rated 27 Feb 2014
the_pirateThe Pirate
Rated 28 Jun 2014
86
82nd
Incredible film! Scary, mesmerizing, disturbing, and in a weird way touching. Villains like Jacinto are, for me, always the most interesting because despite how greedy and animalistic he is, you know he's also a victim of the same environment that all the other orphans come from: the war. Very worthy thematic lead-in to Pan's Labyrinth.
Rated 28 Jun 2014
woozybWoozyB
Rated 16 Mar 2009
95
94th
It's flawed, but it has great atmosphere and charm and story and characters. I dislike horror movies, but love ghost stories, and this, personally, is my favorite del Toro film.
Rated 16 Mar 2009
jstryjstry
Rated 07 Feb 2008
93
96th
I was nervous about seeing this movie because I generally don't like horror/creepy movies and the cover art made it look like it would fall into that category....but, it's so not a horror movie. Don't let the imagery scare you away. This movie is smart and moving -- if you liked Pan's Labyrinth, you should like this one.
Rated 07 Feb 2008
oughtought
Rated 23 Feb 2009
61
30th
Not very scary and the ghosty bit really did not seem to have a thing to do with the nasty man bit.
Rated 23 Feb 2009
johnshaftjohnshaft
Rated 03 Jul 2009
87
84th
A strange but touching horror story with some astounding visuals and creepy performances.
Rated 03 Jul 2009
maakalmaakal
Rated 24 Jan 2011
82
83rd
Really creepy, with a lot of symbolism and made so much stronger with its desolate setting in the eve of the Spanish Civil War.
Rated 24 Jan 2011
damildamil
Rated 23 Aug 2012
65
54th
Definite similarities to Pan's Labyrinth (2006). It was a lot less heavy on the supernatural elements though. In fact, I was surprised with how matter-of-fact the paranormal parts were shown in this movie. It was also very... Spanish. That's not a negative or positive thing, just how it felt. I don't think I really cared for the first half of the film, but by the end, I liked it.
Rated 23 Aug 2012
lonelypandalonelypanda
Rated 21 Apr 2008
60
69th
Get a job, assholes.
Rated 21 Apr 2008
sebbysebby
Rated 20 Nov 2010
80
91st
Beautiful to look at and creepy as hell.
Rated 20 Nov 2010
halfangHalfang
Rated 19 Sep 2011
80
33rd
It was ok, and I was pleasantly surprised that the characters were not 2D, but quite intricate and with their own reasons behind them. I will probably grow fond of this one in a few year's time, but so far, it was good.
Rated 19 Sep 2011
muutanetmuutanet
Rated 07 Mar 2008
75
74th
Interesting fantasy elements and story.
Rated 07 Mar 2008
quail_butterQuail Butter
Rated 15 Oct 2008
95
86th
Del Toro is a god.
Rated 15 Oct 2008
kavuKavu
Rated 26 Sep 2011
78
63rd
Nice moods and pretty good child actors but the story felt a bit underdeveloped.
Rated 26 Sep 2011
entrapmenentrapmen
Rated 12 Jan 2010
81
82nd
you can see the way, going to pan's labyrient. a must see.
Rated 12 Jan 2010
barraocBarraoc
Rated 04 Apr 2016
80
85th
Del Toro's 'The Devil's Backbone' is a classic ghost story, with just a hint of the supernatural in a harsh real world.
Rated 04 Apr 2016
yiannosYiannos
Rated 08 Jul 2014
78
89th
How to classify this? A gothic romance? A metaphysical horror? A rumination on the nature of ghosts and phantoms? A murder mystery? A supernatural melodrama? Del Toro seems to be really blurring the lines here without even trying. The ghost is more tragic than frightening, and becomes even moreso as the film progresses and the secrets of his death and return are revealed. The effectiveness of the socio-political allegory is debatable, but the film is wonderfully suggestive nonetheless.
Rated 08 Jul 2014
phaedrusphaedrus
Rated 07 Jan 2011
65
57th
I love films about orphans.
Rated 07 Jan 2011
luna6ixLuna6ix
Rated 23 Jul 2011
80
74th
Well made, written, and fair acting. The best part is the ghost is actually really scary looking, unfortunately the only person who sees the ghost isn't frightened by it, this along with minimal screen time, turn it into a fairly poor horror movie. Since every other aspect of it is above average to great it does turn out as a pretty good watch, even if it's devoid of thrills and screams.
Rated 23 Jul 2011
kramyessevKramYessev
Rated 14 Feb 2013
66
46th
That one guy looked like Eli Roth in "Basterds", so I took great pleasure watching him get beat with sticks.
Rated 14 Feb 2013
ag0stomesmerAg0stoMesmer
Rated 06 Nov 2012
4
91st
The supernatural provides some creepy moments but the real horror is all human. Similar in subject to Pans Labyrinth but better, subtler.
Rated 06 Nov 2012
fantacbobFantacBob
Rated 11 Jun 2009
75
90th
Ghost story in a Spanish orphanage in 1939. Another great del Torro film.
Rated 11 Jun 2009
rthornhillrthornhill
Rated 04 Dec 2012
80
23rd
although the title is a bit misleading, del toro's film has enough backbone to stand up on it's own merits as an entertaining ghost story. nice acting all-around with luppi and paredes especially captivating...
Rated 04 Dec 2012
the_tussThe Tuss
Rated 29 Mar 2014
65
50th
Had to study this for GCSE Film Studies, It's a bit overrated for me. It's not tense or scary, it's just entertaining. But as I said, I've studied it in depth and read up on the wider meanings of the film but I still didn't find it good enough to warrant a higher rating.
Rated 29 Mar 2014
lrampartllrampartl
Rated 05 Feb 2007
87
87th
Seemed more like an exercise in style, but the children are full, wonderful characters. Symbolism abound! Very original, very unconventional.
Rated 05 Feb 2007
monstergearMonsterGear
Rated 03 Mar 2008
80
61st
A good spook-story, with some great characters and a dash of rather unflinching violence. Visually, the slow cloud of red from the ghost's head is one of the niftiest, creepiest ideas I've seen in some time.
Rated 03 Mar 2008
movebitchmovebitch
Rated 15 Oct 2010
85
36th
A little slow, but otherwise very good.
Rated 15 Oct 2010
madmanMadMan
Rated 11 Nov 2022
95
86th
Creepy, emotionally charged and very well made. Definitely one of Guillermo del Toro's best.
Rated 11 Nov 2022
martrynmartryn
Rated 12 Jan 2010
82
81st
You know you're in pretty good hands with del Toro, and this movie came out before he was widely known to the English speaking world. A very solid movie that stands up with the best of his work, and is leaps and bounds better than some of the later things he did when he went mainstream.
Rated 12 Jan 2010
fenixdownfenixdown
Rated 16 Oct 2013
57
13th
Visually interesting in spite of being a blender full of cliches.
Rated 16 Oct 2013
glm01glm01
Rated 03 Oct 2013
82
71st
81.67.
Rated 03 Oct 2013
astfglAstfgl
Rated 15 Oct 2008
70
58th
A good Del Toro film, but somewhat eclipsed by later offerings with similar themes of childhood and trauma.
Rated 15 Oct 2008
jschlanskyJSchlansky
Rated 15 Jun 2018
75
66th
Macabre Month of Horror review: https://youtu.be/zUgRWhrxzvc
Rated 15 Jun 2018
micahmicah
Rated 23 Jan 2009
77
86th
Clever and engaging little ghost flick from the visually inventive Guillermo Del Toro.
Rated 23 Jan 2009
troothTrooth
Rated 17 Sep 2012
82
86th
It takes some time for it to really get going, but the second half does get really tense and engaging. It reminded me somewhat of The Orphanage, but I think this one had more of a satisfying ending, and didn't try as hard to shoot for the horror-movie angle, which gives it more of a solid atmosphere, once you know that the movie isn't just trying to scare you.
Rated 17 Sep 2012
iyisinekiyisinek
Rated 24 Jan 2012
74
62nd
yetimhane, hayalet, yardimci hayalet, yetim, ihanet, aldatmak, ispanya, iç savaş, (ispanyol iç savaşı esnasinda ailesinin öldügünden habersiz Carlos, bir yetimhaneye birakilir. Yetimhane de dolanan bir hayaletin varligini fark eden carlos, hayaletin hikayesi ile ilgilenmeye baslar. Bu arada savas devam etmektedir.)
Rated 24 Jan 2012
panomadgreekpanomadgreek
Rated 14 Aug 2008
67
30th
Seeing Criticker's icon for the film just reminded me how harrowing it was, though not necessarily frightening. I enjoyed it, interesting story, good characters & original
Rated 14 Aug 2008
nathan_sNathan S
Rated 14 Aug 2017
3
45th
Plenty of really compelling gothic imagery to carry this otherwise so-so mystery/thriller to its conclusion.
Rated 14 Aug 2017
ebelcEbelC
Rated 19 Apr 2014
80
90th
This is not a ghost film or a horror one. but one about fear of ghosts. Ghosts of things we love and can't let go and also things we despise and fear will come back. Fear we won't be able to continue living after losing freedom, youth, our beloved ones. Fear that our secrets and shame will show everyone what we really are. This is a film about what really haunt us.
Rated 19 Apr 2014
mfidler1mfidler1
Rated 13 Feb 2010
89
92nd
Ultimately a very good movie, but not as good as Pan's Labyrinth. The ending was also awesome. This does not rely on cheap scares, and mostly relies on some kind of tonal fear.
Rated 13 Feb 2010
okkervilOkkervil
Rated 02 Aug 2009
76
77th
GdT is great to watch when he gets it right.
Rated 02 Aug 2009
bavafreakBavafreak
Rated 17 Feb 2011
85
73rd
Subtly scary and beautifully filmed.
Rated 17 Feb 2011
kelly909kelly909
Rated 23 Jul 2010
95
69th
great story, amazing actors. i recommend it
Rated 23 Jul 2010
rocketluccoRocketlucco
Rated 02 Aug 2012
70
64th
Overall Enjoyment: 25/40, Plot/Themes: 15/20, Cinematography/Direction: 20/20, Acting/Writing: 10/20 Del Toro's directing debut. A creepy little story with some great cinematography.
Rated 02 Aug 2012
slantmagSlantMag
Rated 20 Oct 2010
35
90th
"With The Devil's Backbone, Guillermo del Toro pulls an Amenábar by deftly mixing bone-chilling dread with sophisticated war commentary." - Ed Gonzalez
Rated 20 Oct 2010
thehynesthehynes
Rated 01 Jan 2013
51
35th
The thing with a suspense film or a thriller is that they have to actually have thrills and suspense in them.This? No,I'm afraid not. Much ado about nothing.
Rated 01 Jan 2013
timoatimoA
Rated 24 Dec 2009
86
56th
40 points for the visuals and good acting and 46 freakout points for being one of the scariest films I've seen. So that makes 86 out of 100.
Rated 24 Dec 2009
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 17 Mar 2007
70
82nd
Some very nice special effects. Not much of a story and the bomb just didn't work for me, I'm sure they could have come up with a better scenario than the bomb in the courtyard. All in all a good film well acted and filmed.
Rated 17 Mar 2007
cetincelikcetincelik
Rated 30 Dec 2017
80
75th
2021'de #IzlediğimFilmler : 309. El espinazo del diablo (2001) Halloween gecesini korku filmi izlemeden pas geçmek olmazdı, 20 yıl sonra tekrar ziyaret ettim filmi, atmosferi ve oyunculukları ile etkileyici bir dönem hayalet filmi.
Rated 30 Dec 2017
jebJeb
Rated 26 Jul 2008
85
70th
Del Toro, as usual, has created another masterpiece! The plot is great, and has interesting fantasy elements ( Which can be found in all of DeL Toro's movie! ) .
Rated 26 Jul 2008
mandymandy
Rated 19 Jan 2012
7
73rd
The director creates a great sense of suspense within a menacing and oppressive atmosphere.
Rated 19 Jan 2012
satlalsatlal
Rated 20 Feb 2009
65
39th
Not a horror movie, but gives the creeps in a couple of key scenes. The story is multi-layered and doesn't fit into a particular genre. It covers horror, suspense, thriller, relationship drama, children's mentality among many things. Good watch
Rated 20 Feb 2009
gnalkhereGnalkhere
Rated 31 Oct 2020
65
33rd
Would rate a 66 but that won't do this film justice.
Rated 31 Oct 2020
glmglm
Rated 25 Dec 2010
90
92nd
90.333
Rated 25 Dec 2010
tipar822tipar822
Rated 30 Nov 2016
40
23rd
A Horror movie, boring!!! never mind!!!
Rated 30 Nov 2016
vandelay1Vandelay1
Rated 14 Jun 2008
74
85th
very good movie
Rated 14 Jun 2008
vesupriavesupria
Rated 10 Aug 2010
6
62nd
There wasn't really that much to this, it's basically a Spanish 'Sixth Sense' type affair without the over the top drama, chills, spills and of course the infamously overrated "twist." Severely lacking in real content, but somewhat entertaining.
Rated 10 Aug 2010
drewlephantDrewlephant
Rated 24 Aug 2007
91
91st
A textured, beautifully written, fascinating take on horror. Some incredibly mature themes really enhance the film a lot. A sister piece to the much-loved Pan's Labyrinth, The Devil's Backbone is Del Toro at his finest.
Rated 24 Aug 2007
stevekimesstevekimes
Rated 02 Mar 2011
84
65th
Classic ghost/war story. Spooky and companion to both The Orphanage and Pan's Labyrinth.
Rated 02 Mar 2011
mistersplicemistersplice
Rated 29 Aug 2007
75
77th
+ recommended
Rated 29 Aug 2007
roonay3kroonay3k
Rated 05 Aug 2015
67
52nd
I like the setting and the fact that it's a bit diffrent but the major problem with this horror movie is that it's not scary at all. Lord of the rings is more scary than this. Apart from that it's pretty decent but i was expecting horror not a drama/thriller.
Rated 05 Aug 2015
shockularSHOCKULAR
Rated 20 Oct 2022
78
66th
A creepy, atmospheric ghost/revenge/coming of age story that feels quite similar (despite being very different plot-wise) to Pan's Labyrinth, almost like it was a film del Toro had to make on the path to making that masterpiece. It has that recognizable del Toro aesthetic (it's always amazing how he's able to make squalid conditions look so great) and Jacinto is a great villain.
Rated 20 Oct 2022
meymetmeymet
Rated 11 Jan 2018
60
32nd
I expected a film like Pan's labyrinth but it lacked the originality of that film
Rated 11 Jan 2018
dwiggendwiggen
Rated 07 Jan 2011
95
88th
One of the most subtle ghost movies I have ever seen.
Rated 07 Jan 2011
dustydDustyd
Rated 16 Sep 2007
70
63rd
Uneven but creepy and worth watching.
Rated 16 Sep 2007
matthagenmatthagen
Rated 11 Mar 2020
91
96th
Seen: 2.
Rated 11 Mar 2020

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