Advanced Search Beta »
Basic Search Fields
The Devil's Backbone
The Devil's Backbone Image
See the trailer
Metascore
77 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.6 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 19 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
Rate this:

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Lisa Schwarzbaum
    91
    del Toro builds excitement, dread, and melodrama in equal layers.
  2. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: Sean Axmaker
    91
    What gives the story resonance is the tenderness and sacrifice and even innocence del Toro reveals amid the savagery.
  3. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Christopher Varney
    60
    That The Devil's Backbone makes any sense at all -- with its many, swirling plotlines -- seems like a little wonder.

See all 25 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. BillS.
    9
    An atmospheric wonder of a film. Del Toro uses horror to enhance the film, rather than making it the film. The characters are engaging, and the symbolism is rich. One in a recent line of smart horror films (Sixth Sense, The Others) that hopefully signals a resurgence of an almost lost genre. Buy this, don't rent it.… Expand
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  2. bigbossluna
    9
    So good. Not that scary but doesn't matter because is one of the greatest stories ever told. It has the greatest characters in a scary movie (more of a fable). Interesting in so many ways.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. RegOz
    8
    This is a great movie! Engaging, rich in symbolism, frightful and clever, this movie does not rely in gore to create an intense feeling of mystery and anxiety. Eduardo Noriega's performance deserves applauses. The 'ghosts' here are not such, at least not in the stereotypical 'ghost film'. The Devil's Backbone has a great script, powerful scenes, and manages to be thrilling without the need to recur to tasteless and extreme resources. Moreover, this film, has the perfect balance, because it manages to create tension with the idea of the 'unknown' and delves into the dark side of human nature; yet, the the Devil's Backbone doesn't lack the emotional element for it is unfolded during the whole movie.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 9 User Reviews

Trailers

Related Articles

  1. Movies

    Ranked: The Best Foreign Horror Films Since 2000

    Ranked: The Best Foreign Horror Films Since 2000 Image
    Published: October 27, 2010
    Yesterday, we looked at the worst horror films of the past decade; today, we begin our look at the best. Up first: the best foreign-language horror movies -- a list that includes cult hits like Sweden's "Let the Right One In" as well as more esoteric fare.
    More »

Recommended Products

  1. Live-In Maid

    Live-In Maid Image

  2. Human Resources

    • Release Date: Sep 15, 2000
    Human Resources Image

  3. Last Orders

    Last Orders Image

Current Movie Releases

Full List »
  1. Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol
    Metascore: 73
  2. War Horse
    Metascore: 72
  3. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
    Metascore: 71
  4. The Adventures of Tintin
    Metascore: 68
  5. Haywire
    Metascore: 67
  6. The Grey
    Metascore: 64
  7. The Woman in Black
    Metascore: 62
  8. The Iron Lady
    Metascore: 54
  9. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
    Metascore: 48
  10. Red Tails
    Metascore: 46
  11. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
    Metascore: 46
  12. Underworld Awakening
    Metascore: 39
  13. One for the Money
    Metascore: 22
  14. The Devil Inside
    Metascore: 18
  15. The Darkest Hour
    Metascore: 16
All Current Movies »