The Devil's Backbone
El espinazo del diablo
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.
Why it matters
A ghost story steeped in historical weight, blending supernatural dread with the scars of war to haunt both body and soul.
- Guillermo del Toro’s signature blend of gothic atmosphere and political allegory elevates this war-era ghost tale beyond genre clichés.
- The orphanage setting is a claustrophobic character itself, filled with shadows and secrets — a masterclass in mood and production design.
- Practical effects and subtle scares deliver a lingering unease without resorting to cheap jump scares.
- Ideal for fans of folk horror and period ghost stories that use the supernatural to explore trauma and memory.
Director
7 horror films in catalog
Cast
Horror DNA
Gore
0
Slow Burn
83
Psychological
43
Supernatural
40
Creature
0
Disturbing
67
Fun Factor
33
Cerebral
100
Survival
83
Ghost
