The Devil's Backbone

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2:05

The Devil's Backbone

R

2001

1h 46m

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

119 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

After losing his father, 10-year-old Carlos (Fernando Tielve) arrives at the Santa Lucia School, which shelters orphans of the Republican militia and politicians, and is taken in by the steely headmistress, Carmen (Marisa Paredes), and the kindly professor, Casares (Federico Luppi). Soon after his arrival, Carlos has a run-in with the violent caretaker, Jacinto (Eduardo Noriega). Gradually, Carlos uncovers the secrets of the school, including the youthful ghost that wanders the grounds.

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Critics Consensus

Creepily atmospheric and haunting, The Devil's Backbone is both a potent ghost story and an intelligent political allegory.

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Steve Rose

Guardian

Dec 23, 2025

5/5

The political and the supernatural come together beautifully (and violently), and the unsentimental portrayal of childhood is refreshing, with terrific performances from the boy actors. It’s altogether a supremely satisfying tale.

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Jami Bernard

New York Daily News

Oct 14, 2014

3/4

Guillermo Del Toro's The Devil's Backbone is a really cool ghost story with an extraordinary human and political dimension.

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Bruce Diones

The New Yorker

Oct 7, 2013

Del Toro's elegant pacing and gothic touches imbue the proceedings with a cool mystery.

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Christian Jones

Starburst

Apr 7, 2026

Del Toro’s touch is everywhere: suspense unfurls with patient precision, and the production design – scarred courtyards, dim cellars – mirrors the story’s buried secrets.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Dec 5, 2022

3/4

Fine performances, innovative effects, and the pointed backdrop of the Spanish Civil War.

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Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

Jul 8, 2022

3.5/4

Del Toro considers history, politics, and art through a gothically poetic lens...

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JUAN ALEJANDRO O

@RT54916223 Oct 30, 2026

This is the first movie after the almost buried Cronos and the disaster that Mimic was, it was for me the first actually good Guillermo del Toro movie, it’s so beautiful the way his tells a ghost story without needing a jump scare, I really think Santi’s story is sad and tragic, and the Spanish Civil War is great as a background.

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Robert P

@Superbad Oct 5, 2026

The Devil's Backbone is a 4.5 star Movie!

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B P

@Bradster69 Sep 4, 2026

Definitely Recommend It

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Juan-Pablo C

@RT42617042 Mar 30, 2026

A gem in Del Toro's filmography. A perfect "little brother" to Pan's Labyrinth. Brilliant filmmaking, acting, impecable production design, score, pacing, practical visual effects, all supported by a tight and classic script that feels timeless, and a well researched gothic piece that meditates on the roots of fascism. An underrated classic that merits several viewing to pick. up the meticulous yet free flowing craft Del Toro gives us when he's at his best.

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Jose N

@soyjosenieves Dec 11, 2025

Me gusta que aprovecha su atmósfera de terror y fantasmas para contar una historia mucho más profunda. Logra mostrar cómo la verdadera maldad proviene de los vivos y no de lo sobrenatural. Esa maldad afecta a un grupo de niños inocentes que, con su carisma, se roban la película.

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Christian K

@ckacar Oct 31, 2025

GDT definitely has a talent and knack for directing children. This was solid throughout, the ghost elements really take a back seat though.

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Guillermo del Toro

Director

Marisa Paredes

Carmen

Eduardo Noriega

Jacinto

Federico Luppi

Cásares

Fernando Tielve

Carlos

Irene Visedo

Conchita

The Orphanage

87%

86%

The Orphanage

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TRAILER

for The Orphanage

Bug

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34%

Bug

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Vinyan

56%

32%

Vinyan

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Danika

29%

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Danika

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Synopsis

After losing his father, 10-year-old Carlos (Fernando Tielve) arrives at the Santa Lucia School, which shelters orphans of the Republican militia and politicians, and is taken in by the steely headmistress, Carmen (Marisa Paredes), and the kindly professor, Casares (Federico Luppi). Soon after his arrival, Carlos has a run-in with the violent caretaker, Jacinto (Eduardo Noriega). Gradually, Carlos uncovers the secrets of the school, including the youthful ghost that wanders the grounds.

Director: Guillermo del Toro
Screenwriter: Guillermo del Toro, Antonio Trashorras, David Muñoz
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Good Machine, El Deseo S.A.
Rating: R (Violence|Some Sexuality|Language)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Drama, Horror
Original Language: Spanish
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 21, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 2, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $754.7K
Runtime: 1h 46m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo

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