El espinazo del diablo 2001

Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press: Even if it waves its psychological and political implications like a flag, it at least takes a stand against mindlessness. Read more

Robert K. Elder, Chicago Tribune: A well-crafted, white-knuckle cinematic journey. Read more

Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times: Del Toro risks ponderousness of pace and symbolism--of an oppressive artiness--to be true to his bleak vision, which is so compelling, unpredictable and unique that The Devil's Backbone really works. Read more

Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel: The chills and suspense and graphic violence are leavened with the horror that comes from knowing the victims -- and knowing they are undeserving of their fate. Read more

Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer: Creepy and compelling and beautifully shot. Read more

Mark Rahner, Seattle Times: Del Toro's directorial sure-handedness makes you settle back for an elegantly creepy ride that has some shockingly unsafe stretches. Read more

Jane Sumner, Dallas Morning News: Working again with cinematographer Guillermo Navarro, who used sepia filters for an old photograph feel, Mr. del Toro creates an eerie, unnerving mood and maintains it to the end. Read more

A.O. Scott, New York Times: Mr. del Toro provokes your screams and shudders, but he also earns your tears. Read more

John Anderson, Newsday: Genuine creepiness, drafted by one of the prime purveyors of intelligent horror. Read more

Lou Lumenick, New York Post: A genuinely scary, exquisitely shot -- and very well-acted -- ghost story/political allegory. Read more

Andrew Sarris, New York Observer: Mr. Del Toro has generated powerful feelings, even in such digressions as the execution of members of the International Brigade from many nations. Read more

Martin Rubin, Chicago Reader: An entertaining and atmospheric revenge tale. Read more

Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal: It's a horror flick, and a creepily good one, that also functions as an allegory of the war that still haunts Spain seven decades later. Read more

Nathan Rabin, AV Club: The Devil's Backbone augments its abundant creepiness with an equally powerful poignancy. Read more

Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle: A carefully wrought, atmospheric tale that takes its ghosts seriously and treats its audience with respect. Read more

Steven Rosen, Denver Post: In the end, Backbone is about showing off a horror film director's tools of trade. Read more

Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly: The picture also shares an Iberian-flavored compatibility with The Others by Alejandro Amenabar. Both directors know when to reveal their ghosts and when simply to suggest them so quietly as to pleasurably levitate neck hairs. Read more

Bruce Diones, New Yorker: Del Toro's elegant pacing and gothic touches imbue the proceedings with a cool mystery. Read more

Peter Rainer, New York Magazine/Vulture: [Del Toro] understands how war can bring out the strangeness in people's perceptions; fear, as the patriarch played by Federico Luppi says, makes you see things. Read more

Jami Bernard, New York Daily News: Guillermo Del Toro's The Devil's Backbone is a really cool ghost story with an extraordinary human and political dimension. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: The Devil's Backbone has been compared to The Others, and has the same ambition and intelligence, but is more compelling and even convincing. Read more

Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle: It's fun to watch Del Toro confront death and fear with such energy and humor. Read more

Peter Howell, Toronto Star: [Del Toro] finds real substance in shadows and whispers, in the terrors that reside at the back of the mind. Read more

Geoff Andrew, Time Out: If only for its technical aspects, this would rate as a pleasurably superior supernatural psychological thriller, with polished but subtle special effects, painterly, atmospheric cinematography and vivid performances. Read more

Jonathan Holland, Variety: Though it fails in its final reels to capitalize on its early promise, pic is still stylish, accomplished and tremendously enjoyable fare. Read more

J. Hoberman, Village Voice: An expert, sunlit chiller audaciously predicated on an unquiet historical memory. Read more

Desson Thomson, Washington Post: A ghost story that's not only evocative and original, it's a pleasure to watch. Read more