Guillermo del Toro, the acclaimed Mexican director, continues to captivate audiences with his distinctive blend of horror, fantasy, and human drama. His highly anticipated adaptation of ‘Frankenstein,’ a passion project for many years, is set to debut on Netflix this Friday after a limited theatrical run. The film features a star-studded cast including Jacob Elordi, Oscar Isaac, and Mia Goth.
As del Toro’s latest vision arrives, it offers an opportune moment to reflect on his celebrated filmography. Over three decades, he has consistently crafted visually stunning and emotionally resonant narratives that defy easy categorization. Examining his work through the lens of critical reception, specifically Rotten Tomatoes scores, reveals a consistent mastery in storytelling and world-building.
Here is a look at five of del Toro’s most critically lauded films, showcasing the breadth and depth of his unique cinematic voice and the enduring power of his imagination.
Crimson Peak (2015) stands with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 72 percent. This gothic romance follows aspiring writer Edith Cushing, portrayed by Mia Wasikowska, as she falls for the enigmatic English baronet Thomas Sharpe, played by Tom Hiddleston. She moves to his sprawling ancestral home, Crimson Peak, shared with his mysterious sister Lucille, played by Jessica Chastain. There, Edith begins to encounter spirits and unravel the dark secrets hidden within the estate and guarded by the Sharpe siblings.
Often considered del Toro’s most underrated work, ‘Crimson Peak’ is a lavish, ghostly, and tragic tale infused with romance. It embraces the ornate and even the kitsch in the most compelling way, appealing to fans of period melodrama, mystery, and ghost stories alike. Anchored by strong performances from its lead cast, the film offers a rich visual and emotional experience that lingers long after viewing.
Next is Hellboy (2004), which holds an 81 percent Rotten Tomatoes score. Based on Mike Mignola’s comic book series, the film introduces the titular demon, Hellboy, brought to Earth as an infant by Nazis attempting to access a paranormal dimension. Rescued by Allied forces, a grown Hellboy, brought to life by Ron Perlman, works for the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense. Alongside other supernatural beings, he protects Earth from malevolent threats while grappling with his own inner darkness.
‘Hellboy’ is praised for its intelligent humor, well-developed characters, and del Toro’s signature visual spectacle. It features terrifying creatures, intense action sequences, and a yearning romantic subplot that adds emotional depth. The film brilliantly showcases many elements that define del Toro’s distinctive style and remains a strong adaptation of its comic book source material, with Perlman delivering a standout performance.
The Shape of Water (2017) boasts an impressive 92 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. Set in 1960s Baltimore, the story centers on Elisa, a mute and solitary cleaner played by Sally Hawkins, who works in a clandestine government laboratory. Her quiet routine is upended when she discovers the lab’s new specimen: an amphibious merman captured in South America, portrayed by Doug Jones. Despite their inability to communicate verbally, Elisa forms a deep emotional connection with the captive creature, eventually falling in love and realizing she must help him escape malevolent forces.
‘The Shape of Water’ made history as it secured the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2018, becoming only the second fantasy film to achieve this honor after ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.’ Critics hailed it as a delicate, visually brilliant, and genuinely unusual love story, placing del Toro at the pinnacle of his career. It is an elegant narrative that explores society’s treatment of “the Other” with profound empathy.
The Devil’s Backbone (2001) earned a 93 percent Rotten Tomatoes score. During the Spanish Civil War, a remote orphanage serves as a base for rebels opposing dictator Francisco Franco. Young Carlos, played by Fernando Tielve, arrives unaware of his father’s death. As Carlos befriends other orphans, he begins to experience visions of a ghost child named Santi. While the adults managing the orphanage contend with political turmoil, Carlos slowly uncovers the facility’s secrets and the truth behind the spectral boy.
Del Toro’s early foray into magical realism, ‘The Devil’s Backbone’ is both a haunting ghost story and a compelling political allegory. Despite its multiple interwoven plotlines, the film achieves a captivating narrative that blends fear with a delicate touch characteristic of del Toro’s later work. It stands as an effective horror film that is also deeply sad and visually stunning.
Topping the list with a 95 percent Rotten Tomatoes score is Pan’s Labyrinth (2006). In the summer of 1944, young Ofelia, played by Ivana Baquero, journeys with her pregnant mother, Maribel Verdú, to meet her new stepfather, the ruthless nationalist Captain Vidal, portrayed by Sergi López. At the estate, Ofelia discovers an ancient stone labyrinth where a faun, also played by Doug Jones, reveals she is the reincarnation of a magical princess. The faun tasks her with three challenges to reclaim her kingdom, which Ofelia endeavors to complete while evading the wrath of the sadistic Vidal.
Following ‘The Devil’s Backbone,’ ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ is del Toro’s second film set in Francoist Spain, with the director viewing both as thematic siblings due to their settings and explorations of similar themes. While ‘The Shape of Water’ garnered the Best Picture Oscar, many critics and fans consider ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ to be del Toro’s magnum opus. Its captivating and intelligent narrative, meticulous special effects, and unforgettable imagery create an unparalleled cinematic experience that defines his unique artistic vision.