Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

A sort of fairy tale for adults, set in 1944 just after the Spanish Civil War. 

Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) and her pregnant mother live with the sadistic and psychopathic Captain Vidal (Sergi López), who is locked in combat with the local resistance fighters. Ofelia finds herself drawn into a strange fantasy world by a faun who assigns her three challenges. 

It’s deeply strange, working on the level of political allegory as well as being a sort of horror story full of symbolism that invites multiple interpretations. 

I don’t usually enjoy “magical” or fantasy stories, but it’s so unusual and imaginative that it draws you in. Plus, there’s some pretty strong stuff – torture, maiming, close-range shootings and constant threat.

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