Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro has been hailed as a genius of modern fantasy and horror film. His works are characterised by complex themes, intricate visuals and a deep appreciation for humanity and nature. His career has spanned over three decades, resulting in numerous awards and a lasting impact on the genre film industry, contemporary directors and popular culture.
But what does it mean to be a genius? According to Merriam-Webster, genius is defined as “an attendant spirit of a person or place” or “exceptional intellectual or creative power or other natural ability”.
In this article, we will examine del Toro’s career, themes, visual style, influences, collaborations, awards and legacy.
Early Life
Del Toro was born in Guadalajara, Mexico in 1964. His parents were businessman Federico del Toro and Silvia Hernandez. As a child, he was fascinated by horror and fantasy films, which would later inform his work as a director.
Early Works
Del Toro’s career began in the early 1990s with the Mexican horror film Cronos. The film follows an elderly antiquarian who discovers an ancient artifact that grants him immortality, at a cost. The film was praised for its unique blend of horror and fantasy elements, and it won numerous awards, including nine Ariel Awards from the Mexican Academy of Film.
Breakthrough Projects
In 1997, del Toro released his first Hollywood film, Mimic. The film follows a group of scientists attempting to eradicate a species of deadly insects that have evolved to mimic humans. The film was a financial success and it established del Toro as a major talent in the genre film industry.
He followed up with the horror film The Devil’s Backbone (2001) and the fantasy film Pan’s Labyrinth (2006). Both films were critically acclaimed and they won numerous awards, including three Academy Awards, two BAFTA Awards and three Goya Awards.
Recent Works
Del Toro’s most recent works include the fantasy film Pacific Rim (2013), the horror film Crimson Peak (2015) and the sci-fi film The Shape of Water (2017). The Shape of Water was a critical and commercial success and it won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Future Projects
Del Toro is currently working on a live-action adaptation of the animated TV series Trollhunters, as well as a horror-fantasy anthology series for Netflix. He is also developing a stop-motion animated film with the animation studio Laika.
Fantasy and Horror
Del Toro’s works are characterised by a blend of fantasy and horror elements. His films often explore themes of human nature, mortality and the supernatural. In Pan’s Labyrinth, for example, a young girl is forced to confront her fears and the realities of war. In The Devil’s Backbone, a group of children must confront the horrors of the Spanish Civil War.
Romance
Del Toro often incorporates romantic themes into his works. In The Shape of Water, a mute janitor develops a romance with an amphibious creature. In Crimson Peak, a young woman is caught in a love triangle between two mysterious brothers.
Family
Family is a recurring theme in del Toro’s films. In Pan’s Labyrinth, a young girl is torn between her father and her fantasy world. In The Devil’s Backbone, the children must protect each other from the dangers of war. In Crimson Peak, a young woman is torn between her family and her new husband.
Color
Del Toro’s films are often characterized by vibrant colors, which he uses to convey a sense of fantasy and surrealism. In Pan’s Labyrinth, he uses bright greens and blues to create a fairy-tale world, while in Crimson Peak he uses muted reds and oranges to create a sense of foreboding.
Lighting
Del Toro often uses lighting to create a mood for his films. In The Devil’s Backbone, he uses low-key lighting to create a sense of dread, while in Pan’s Labyrinth he uses bright lighting to create a sense of hope. In The Shape of Water, he uses a combination of bright and low-key lighting to create a dream-like atmosphere.
Details
Del Toro pays close attention to details in his films, from the costumes and sets to the makeup and special effects. He often uses practical effects rather than digital effects, which gives his films a unique look. In The Shape of Water, he used a combination of practical and digital effects to create a realistic yet surreal atmosphere.
Literature
Del Toro has cited a variety of authors as influences on his work, including H.P. Lovecraft, J.R.R. Tolkien, Ray Bradbury and Gabriel García Márquez. He often incorporates elements of their works into his films, such as the dark fantasy elements of Lovecraft’s stories in Mimic and the magical realism of García Márquez’s works in Pan’s Labyrinth.
Film
Del Toro cites a variety of filmmakers as influences on his work, including Alfred Hitchcock, Federico Fellini, Luis Buñuel, Stanley Kubrick and Jean-Pierre Jeunet. He often incorporates elements of their works into his films, such as the suspenseful atmosphere of Hitchcock’s films in The Devil’s Backbone and the surreal imagery of Buñuel’s films in Pan’s Labyrinth.
Comic Books
Del Toro has cited a variety of comic book artists and writers as influences on his work, including Mike Mignola, Alan Moore, Frank Miller and Neil Gaiman. He often incorporates elements of their works into his films, such as the dark fantasy elements of Mignola’s Hellboy in Pacific Rim and the magical realism of Gaiman’s Sandman in The Shape of Water.
Religion
Del Toro often incorporates religious themes into his works, particularly Catholicism. In The Devil’s Backbone, he uses religious symbolism to explore the impact of war on innocence. In Pan’s Labyrinth, he uses religious imagery to illustrate a girl’s struggles with faith and morality. In The Shape of Water, he uses religious symbolism to explore themes of love and acceptance.
Actors
Del Toro has worked with many actors throughout his career, such as Ron Perlman in Hellboy (2004), Doug Jones in Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) and Sally Hawkins in The Shape of Water (2017). He often casts actors who are able to bring a sense of humanity to their roles, such as Perlman in Hellboy and Hawkins in The Shape of Water.
Producers
Del Toro often works with producers who share his vision for a film, such as Peter Jackson in The Hobbit trilogy (2012-2014). He also works with producers who are able to bring his vision to life, such as Stephen Spielberg in Pacific Rim (2013).
Screenwriters
Del Toro often works with writers who share his passion for the genre, such as David S. Goyer in Blade II (2002) and Travis Beacham in Pacific Rim (2013). He also works with writers who are able to bring his characters to life, such as Matthew Robbins in Mimic (1997) and Cornelia Funke in The Trollhunters (2016).
Artists
Del Toro often works with visual artists who share his passion for the medium, such as illustrator Mike Mignola in Hellboy (2004) and painter Francisco Goya in Pan’s Labyrinth (2006). He also works with designers who are able to bring his characters to life, such as production designer Eugenio Caballero in The Shape of Water (2017).
Academy Awards
Del Toro has won three Academy Awards: Best Director for The Shape of Water (2017), Best Picture for Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) and Best Original Screenplay for Pan’s Labyrinth (2006). He was also nominated for Best Picture for The Shape of Water (2017).
Golden Globe Awards
Del Toro has won two Golden Globe Awards: Best Director for The Shape of Water (2017) and Best Foreign Language Film for Pan’s Labyrinth (2006). He was also nominated for Best Director for Pan’s Labyrinth (2006).
BAFTA Awards
Del Toro has won two BAFTA Awards: Best Film for Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) and Best Director for The Shape of Water (2017). He was also nominated for Best Film for The Shape of Water (2017).
Goya Awards
Del Toro has won three Goya Awards: Best Director for The Shape of Water (2017), Best Screenplay for Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) and Best Foreign Language Film for Pan’s Labyrinth (2006). He was also nominated for Best Director for Pan’s Labyrinth (2006).
Other Awards
Del Toro has won numerous other awards, including a Saturn Award for Best Director for Pacific Rim (2013), a Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation (Long Form) for The Shape of Water (2017), and a Saturn Award for Best Fantasy Film for Pan’s Labyrinth (2006).
Influence on Genre Films
Del Toro’s films have had a lasting impact on the genre film industry. He is credited with revitalizing the horror genre with films such as Mimic (1997) and The Devil’s Backbone (2001), as well as the fantasy genre with films such as Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) and The Shape of Water (2017).
Influence on Contemporary Directors
Del Toro’s films have also had a lasting impact on contemporary directors. His films are often cited as influences on the works of filmmakers such as Guillermo Navarro, Neil Marshall, J.A. Bayona, Panos Cosmatos and Andres Muschietti.
Impact on Popular Culture
Del Toro’s films have had a lasting impact on popular culture. His films are often referenced in other works, such as the animated series Adventure Time and the fantasy novel series A Song of Ice and Fire. His films are also widely celebrated by fans, with numerous fan websites and fan art dedicated to his works.
In conclusion, Guillermo del Toro is a genius of modern fantasy and horror film. He has spent over three decades crafting films that are characterised by complex themes, intricate visuals and a deep appreciation for humanity and nature. His films have won numerous awards, and they have had a lasting impact on the genre film industry, contemporary directors and popular culture.
References:
Merriam-Webster. (2021). Genius. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/genius
IMDb. (2021). Guillermo del Toro. Retrieved from https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0868219/
