Pan’s Labyrinth Review (2006) – A mesmerizing, captivating and enchanting journey into darkness and magic!
As we wrap up this month’s theme, we wanted to take a darker turn into one of our favorite dark fantasy films: “Pan’s Labyrinth”. This dark fairy tale can be difficult to classify into a specific genre but leans heavily into classic fantasy and fairytale aspects. Either way, it paves the way nicely for us to wrap up September and segue into October, ANOTHER all-time favorite month, where we will delve into our Horror Theme!
However, before we dive headlong into this labyrinthine narrative, it's crucial that we issue some trigger warnings. "Pan's Labyrinth" treads into dark and disconcerting territory, so there are a LOT of trigger warnings that we’d like to provide before we start discussing the film: Graphic violence, torture, blood and gore, child endangerment, child abuse, pregnancy complications, disturbing imagery, death, authoritarianism, gore and body horror, fantasy violence, suicidal ideation, mutilation, animal harm, depiction of war, political oppression, emotional distress, dark themes.
Although this is (literally) a fantastic film, there are quite a few elements that may be disturbing. With these trigger warnings in mind, this film is a journey into the shadows of the human experience, so please approach it with caution and emotional preparedness.
We will do everything we can to not give too many spoilers in this review but there are likely to be some, so please take that into consideration and read cautiously.
One more thing to keep in mind is that Pan’s Labyrinth was filmed in Spanish, so you may need subtitles if you don’t speak Spanish. Honestly, we loved the fact that this movie stuck to the original Spanish that Guillermo Del Toro envisioned for this modern fairytale. Considering that the story takes place in Spain, we thought it wholly appropriate to have the film in Spanish and it really added to the immersion as we watched the film. We potatoes don’t mind subtitles in the least though, but we wanted to make sure you all are aware that this is a film that will require your undivided attention. Honestly, you’ll want to give it your full attention anyway since there is just so much content and so much to unpack as you watch!
Without further ado, let’s begin!
The film starts off with a brief text description of our setting. Spain, 1944, after the Spanish Civil War has ended. We’re told that there is still a group of rebels fighting against a new fascist regime. We then cut to a young girl who is lying on the ground, bleeding from the nose. She looks scared and there is a faint tune being hummed as we watch the blood from her nose travel in reverse, back into her nose.
A voiceover comes through describing an ancient, underground kingdom where pain and lies do not exist, and a princess dreamt of the human world. She wondered what it would be like to see the surface. Eluding her guardians, she made it to the surface, only to be blinded by the blazing sun, losing her memories and eventually dying of sickness. Her father, the king, predicted that she would one day come back to her kingdom, perhaps reincarnated in another body at another time.
From this we see a convoy of old, 40’s style cars driving past some ruins and eventually into a forest on a dirt path. In one of the vehicles, we meet our main character, Ofelia (Ivana Baquero), and her mother, Carmen (Ariadna Gil). Ofelia is reading a book of fairy tales. Her mother tells her that she’s too old to be reading fairy tales before abruptly holding a cloth to her mouth. She asks Ofelia to tell the driver to stop the car since Carmen is feeling sick.
The driver stops the car and Carmen says that Ofelia’s brother is acting up again. Carmen is pregnant and is obviously having some difficulties with the pregnancy. Honestly, we were shocked that Carmen was traveling in the first place considering how late in her pregnancy she appears to be!
Ofelia wanders from the car a bit and finds a chunk of stone with an eye carved into it. She looks around and finds a statue with the eye missing. She puts the eye back into place and a very large stick bug emerges from the mouth of the statue! We were very caught off guard with this, but Ofelia seems curious and intrigued. She is called back to the car, and they continue to drive down the dirt path. The stick bug watches as they drive through the forest, eventually following the convoy.
At their destination, we get our first glimpse of our big antagonist of the film: Captain Vidal (Sergi López). He is holding a pocket watch and announcing to himself that the convoy is 15 minutes late. He greets Carmen as she exits the vehicle, almost immediately placing his hand on her pregnant tummy and smiling down at it before wishing her welcome to his outpost. He insists that she be placed in a wheelchair, as if that makes up for the fact that he obviously made her travel at such a late stage of pregnancy.
We also get a brief glimpse of his underlying brutality when he greets Ofelia, who extends her left hand to shake his. Captain Vidal roughly grabs her left hand and crushes it a bit before saying “It’s the other hand, Ofelia.” He does not seem to care for the fact that Carmen brought her other child and it’s important to note that there is a heavy dose of sexism sprinkled throughout the film exhibited by the men. Captain Vidal in particular, not only treats women like crap, but doesn’t take them seriously in any capacity.
It is here that we also meet one of our favorite characters, Mercedes (Maribel Verdú). She works as the head housekeeper and also works closely with Captain Vidal to meet the needs of the people in the main house of the outpost. Captain Vidal instructs Mercedes to take Carmen and Ofelia’s luggage up to the main house.
Meanwhile, Ofelia wanders away from the convoy and away from the main house chasing the stick bug that we saw earlier. It leads her to the entrance of a large, stone labyrinth with what appears to be a sculpture above the entrance archway of a wailing faun’s head, much like the one that she saw back in the forest earlier.
Mercedes comes after her and tells her that this is the entrance to a labyrinth that’s been here for longer than even the outpost. She warns Ofelia not to get lost in it and says that she they should get back to her mother and father. Ofelia quickly corrects Mercedes and says, “He’s not my father!” They head back toward the main house as they discuss Ofelia’s mother.
From here, we’re going to speed things up since this is a long film.
We get some info about the fascist’s struggles against the guerillas in the mountains as well as the dynamic between Mercedes and the outpost physician, Doctor Ferreiro (Álex Angulo). We get more gruesome behavior from Captain Vidal as we see his interaction with a few farmers who have been captured and taken to him on suspicion of being rebels. Honestly, pretty much every instance we saw Captain Vidal made us wince with revulsion…Sergi López’s performance as Captain Vidal was amazing and he really brought his ‘A’ game to the role! Back to the film!
Later that first night, Ofelia is awakened by the stick bug she chased earlier crawling in her bed. Once again, we potatoes would have flipped out at such an enormous bug crawling up to us in bed! But Ofelia does not seem afraid. She greets the bug as it crawls up to her and asks if it is a fairy. She shows it a picture of a fairy from her fairytale book and the bug morphs itself into the shape of the fairy!
The fairy then leads Ofelia out into the labyrinth, guiding her all throughout until they get to a spiral staircase at the labyrinth’s center.
At the bottom of the staircase, she is greeted by the wildest looking faun we have ever seen! We have got to give it to Guillermo Del Toro on the creature design! As always, it’s a wonder to behold his creations!
The faun introduces himself to her, bows and calls her “Your Highness…” She is confused and tries to correct him, but he interrupts her, explaining that she is Princess Moanna, born of the moon and the daughter of the king of the underworld! He explains to her that she needs to complete three tasks to ensure that “her essence is intact”. He gives her a magical book that seems to have blank pages from cover to cover!
He tells her that if she opens it when she is alone, it will tell her what tasks she needs to complete. As soon as she goes to inspect the book, she finds that it is blank from cover to cover. Confused, she looks up from the book to find that the faun has disappeared!
This is where we’re going to wrap it up! There is so much for us to unpack throughout this film!
From there, Pan's Labyrinth deftly interweaves two contrasting worlds that Ofelia needs to navigate. One is the harsh, unforgiving reality of post-war Spain, where Captain Vidal's ruthless authoritarianism reigns supreme. The other is the mystical, albeit perilous fantasy world that Ofelia traverses under the guidance of her magical book and the cryptic faun. The entire story leading the audience to the realization that reality truly is more horrifying than fiction.
As previously mentioned, sexism is heavy in this film. Captain Vidal treats Carmen as a baby making factory. Which is ICKY to say the least! Any time he shows her any regard, we get the distinct feeling that he is not looking out for her but looking out for his unborn child. He shows no regard for her as an autonomous person and even insults her on multiple occasions, all the while showing a LOT of concern for his “son”. Captain Vidal is convinced that the child that Carmen is carrying will be a boy! Eye roll.
Ofelia is also treated with disdain and abuse, not only because she’s female, but because she’s not his child. None of the women are treated with respect or consideration, mostly being brushed aside and underestimated. He objectifies them and exerts control through fear and violence, perpetuating the stereotype of women as subordinate and powerless.
These instances of sexism in "Pan's Labyrinth" mirror broader issues of gender inequality and abuse of power that persist in today's society! The character of Captain Vidal serves as a stark reminder of how toxic masculinity and patriarchal values can manifest in real-life situations, leading to the oppression and suffering of women. We won’t spoil too much, but it’s something that Captain Vidal will come to regret as the film progresses.
But, the film also provides a counterpoint to this sexism through the character of Ofelia. She represents resilience and the capacity to resist oppressive forces. Her journey into the labyrinth and her interactions with mystical creatures can be seen as a metaphor for escaping the constraints of a patriarchal society and forging her own path! We love this for her but our hearts were incredibly sad that she had to live in such a dark world. No child should have to endure what she does.
The very real portrayals of fascism are another aspect of the film that is explored. The outpost soldier’s blind faith in their leader and their fear of being on the wrong side of Captain Vidal’s wrath is apparent. The struggles of the guerillas who are forced to fight for their way of life in the mountains brings the horrors of war to the screen in a unique and fascinating way. We’ve all heard, read, or seen rebellion stories, but I feel that we were given a rare and brutal glimpse of the fascist’s horrifying behavior toward their own citizens and the hardship the rebels endure.
In today's context, discussions about sexism, gender inequality, and the general abuse of power are more critical than ever. "Pan's Labyrinth" serves as a thought-provoking cinematic work that encourages audiences to reflect on these issues and consider how they continue to impact individuals and societies around the world. It reminds us of the importance of challenging and dismantling systems of oppression and promoting equality and empowerment!
As we conclude our exploration of "Pan's Labyrinth," we emerge from the film’s depths with a profound appreciation for its ability to provoke thought, evoke emotion, and challenge our perceptions. Guillermo Del Toro's visionary storytelling casts a spell that binds us to this tale, reminding us that the power of storytelling transcends the boundaries of age and genre.
This dark fairy tale is a testament to the enduring magic of cinema that we potatoes love so much! It invites us to embrace the darkness, confront the harsh realities of life, and find solace in the enchanting realms of imagination. "Pan's Labyrinth" is a cinematic journey that leaves an enduring mark, and it stands as a testament to the transformative power of storytelling!
So, dear reader, as you venture forth into the world, may you carry with you the enchantment, the darkness, and the profound themes of "Pan's Labyrinth." May you embrace the wonder and resilience of Ofelia and the toughness of Mercedes! It is a cinematic experience that defies categorization and continues to resonate with all!
We love this film and could not recommend it more! If you’re a fan of dark fantasy, fairy tales, and emotionally evocative masterpieces, then this film is for you!
We give Pan’s Labyrinth 5 Sangria’s out of 5!
The Pan's Labyrinth Drinking Game
Take a sip anytime:
1. You hear humming
2. Ofelia explores/wanders
3. Ofelia's mother shows concern for Ofelia's well-being
4. Ofelia disobeys her mother or the captain
5. Anyone says fairy or fairies
6. Anyone reads from or opens a book
7. Anyone says Princess
8. Any references to classic fairy tales
9. A magical creature, fairies, the fawn, the pale man, etc. is on screen
10. The Captain displays violence, cruelty, self-absorption, or threatening behavior
11. Mercedes is incredibly courageous
12. Anyone mentions Rebels, guerrillas, or rebellion
13. You see or hear a pocket watch
14. Anyone dies
What did you think? Did you like the movie? Did you hate it? What movies should we watch? Any and all thoughts are welcome! Let us know here in the comments and always remember to be safe and drink responsibly!