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The Devil's Backbone
El espinazo del diablo
2001 108 min Spain, Mexico R 18+
★7.6
Fantasy, Drama, Horror, Thriller
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Trailers
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Description
Spain, 1939. In the last days of the Spanish Civil War, the young Carlos arrives at the Santa Lucía orphanage, where he will make friends and enemies as he follows the quiet footsteps of a mysterious presence eager for revenge.
Budget:
$4.5M
US Gross:
$755,249
Worldwide:
$6.58M
Starring
Marisa Paredes
Actor
Eduardo Noriega
Actor
Federico Luppi
Actor
Awards
Goya Awards 2002
— Best Visual Effects
Goya Awards 2002
— Best Costume Design
Saturn Awards 2002
— Best Horror Film
Key opinion
Guillermo del Toro’s early masterpiece is widely regarded as a poignant, atmospheric blend of war drama and gothic suspense. While most critics praise its visual craftsmanship and emotional depth, some viewers feel the screenplay lacks the narrative polish or thematic complexity of the director's later work.
| Cinematography | The cinematography and production design create an oppressive, vivid, and masterful atmosphere that effectively grounds the supernatural elements in the harsh reality of war. | |
| Emotion | The film succeeds as a poignant emotional exploration of childhood trauma, cruelty, and the loss of innocence within the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War. | |
| Acting | The child actors deliver naturalistic, compelling performances that anchor the film's tense social dynamics. | |
| Pacing | The film's pacing divides opinion: some find it to be a masterclass in patient, suspenseful storytelling, while others perceive a slow, dull start. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay draws polarized reactions; supporters admire its tight, symbolic narrative, while detractors label it predictable, structurally weak, or inferior to the director's subsequent films. |