Guillermo del Toro (director)
(studio)
15 (certificate)
103 (length)
13 April 2026 (released)
3 d
Whatever the reasons, be it commercial or good fortune, let’s just enjoy the rerelease of two of Guillermo del Toro’s early and career building films: The Devil’s Backbone (2001) and Cronos (1992).
The Devil’s Backbone is now 25 years old and while in no need of a reappraisal, it has been given a 4K restoration. And it looks magnificent with the rich colours of the barren Spanish landscapes and the darkness of the orphanage’s interiors brought out.
The latter’s darkness serves well as 12yr old Carlos (Fernando Tielve) story unfolds. He’s left in the care of people sympathetic to the ‘red’ cause just at the nationalist forces are starting to encroach. The atmosphere is charged with bullying from the other orphans and the goings on of the toxic male janitor Jacinto (Eduardo Noriega), despite the best efforts of the principles Carmen (Marisa Paredes) and Dr Casares (Federico Luppi).
Unusually for a ghost story del Toro doesn’t take his time with the reveal with Santi (Junio Valverde) appearing fairly early on. Santi is a ghastly creation his body grey ravaged by the wastewater he was dumped in and an ever-bleeding head wound.
But the monster here, as in Pan’s Labyrinth, is very much human. Jacinto has his eyes set on the gold he thinks is hidden in the orphanage and there’s no length he won’t go to get it. The boys recognise that and once Carlos has proved to his bullies that he’s sound, action and circumstances force them to act.
Set in the final days of the Spanish Civil War, that event is pretty much in the background. However, with the brutal execution of members of the foreign brigade and others wary of saying the wrong thing, there is palpable terror and paranoia throughout the film.
Del Toro however is more interested in building dread and atmosphere, which he does with great skill. Equally for all the brutality of the war and the adults’ shenanigans, there’s still a place for empathy as the boys try to get on with life, sharing share comic books, stories and embarrassing each other about their crushes.
The Collector’s Edition will include copies of the film on 4K UHD and Blu-Ray, two posters including new artwork by visual artist Krishna Bala Shenoi, a 64-page booklet and an extensive offering of bonus material including audio commentaries, deleted scenes, ‘Behind the scenes’, ‘the Making of’ and an original EPK featurette, plus a brand new introduction by Guillermo del Toro himself.
The Devil’s Backbone with be available as a standalone release on 4K UHD for the first time & on Digital from 13th April 2026.
The Devil’s Backbone will also screen at the BFI later in 2026 as part of a Guillermo del Toro retrospective.
