The Devil's Backbone (2001) movie poster

The Devil's Backbone (2001)

El espinazo del diablo
"What is a ghost?"
ThumbScore
👍 87%Google users liked it archived
Critics Score
🎬 86% (RT: 93%, MC: 78) ℹ️RT = Rotten Tomatoes (critic reviews). MC = Metacritic (weighted critic average). Critics Score is the average of both.
FantasyDramaHorrorThriller

Where to Watch

Free
Tubi
Rent / Buy
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Runtime
1h 48m
Country
Spain, Mexico
Language
Spanish
TMDB Rating
7.3/10 (1,337 votes)
Rotten Tomatoes
93%
Metacritic
78
Cast
Marisa Paredes as Carmen
Eduardo Noriega as Jacinto
Federico Luppi as Dr. Casares
Fernando Tielve as Carlos
Irene Visedo as Conchita
Francisco Maestre as 'El Puerco'
Yes. 87% of real audiences liked it based on 1,337 votes. Critics agree, scoring it 86%.
Overview
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. Wikipedia ↗
Fun Facts
  • The initial cut of The Devil's Backbone was reportedly much longer, with several subplots removed to improve the pacing.
  • Guillermo del Toro cited several classic fantasy films as the primary inspiration for the visual style.
  • Marisa Paredes spent months preparing for the role, heavily researching the subject matter.
Audience Consensus

The Devil's Backbone is a 2001 fantasy, drama, horror film directed by Guillermo del Toro. 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.

The film has been rated by 1,337 audiences on ThumbScore, reflecting its reach and engagement with viewers. As a fantasy film, The Devil's Backbone delivers on the expectations of its genre while bringing its own distinctive perspective to the storytelling. The production showcases the creative vision of its filmmaking team, bringing together performances, cinematography, and narrative elements that have resonated with audiences.

The Devil's Backbone (2001) continues to find viewers through theatrical releases, streaming platforms, and home media, maintaining its place in the contemporary entertainment landscape. The film represents the kind of cinematic experience that has attracted a dedicated audience, with viewers appreciating its approach to the story and characters it presents.

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What Reddit Thinks

r/MovieDetails
⬆ 2,455💬 24 comments
In Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022), a bomb is dropped by a warplane, killing Gepetto's son. The shot of the bomb being dropped visually references del Toro's earlier movie The Devil's Backbone (2001).
Top comment: "Possibly but that is so the standard shot you do when showing a bomb being dropped from a plane."
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