Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Let's be crystal clear: if your kid sees the words 'fairy tale' and 'labyrinth' and expects something magical and fun, they're in for trauma. This is a war film. A brutal, unflinching war film that happens to have a fairy tale running parallel to it.

That said, for the right audience—mature high schoolers and adults—this is an absolute masterpiece. Del Toro created something that respects the intelligence of viewers who can handle darkness. The creature design is still jaw-dropping, the performances are exceptional, and the way it weaves historical horror with mythological storytelling is genuinely brilliant.

The violence isn't gratuitous, but it is graphic and on-screen. A man's face gets smashed in with a bottle in close-up. A child is shot. There's torture. This isn't Marvel-style bloodless combat—it's meant to horrify you, and it succeeds.

But if you're 17 and ready for serious cinema, or an adult who appreciates dark fantasy that doesn't pull punches, this is essential viewing. It's earned every bit of its 95% Rotten Tomatoes score and 98 Metacritic rating. Just keep it very, very far from actual children.

Age Fit

This is for mature teens (16-17+) and adults only. Common Sense Media suggests 15 as the absolute minimum, but even that feels young for the graphic violence. The fantasy elements are a trap—this is not a family film in any sense.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

35

Set against the brutality of Franco's Spain, this film depicts graphic violence including the bloody death of a child, torture scenes, and ruthless executions. The stepfather character is a sadistic fascist officer who commits horrific acts on screen. While the fantasy elements offer some emotional refuge and the film models courage and resistance, the pervasive darkness and explicit violence make it emotionally challenging and wholly inappropriate for children.

Imaginative

95

Guillermo del Toro crafted a visually stunning dark fairy tale that seamlessly weaves Spanish Civil War realism with haunting fantasy. The creature design is extraordinary—the Pale Man and the Faun are iconic, unsettling figures. The three tasks blend mythology with original invention, and the film's ambiguous ending (is the magic real or Ofelia's escape mechanism?) invites deep contemplation. It's a masterclass in world-building that respects audience intelligence.

Safe

15

Common Sense Media explicitly warns this is 'not meant for children' despite fantasy elements. Contains explicit violence including a man's face being smashed with a bottle (graphic close-up), a child shot on screen with blood visible, torture scenes, war violence with guns and grenades, and a disturbing creature that eats fairies. The R-rating equivalent content is front and center, not hidden. This would be deeply traumatic for young viewers expecting a fairy tale.

Enriching

92

A profound meditation on fascism, innocence, choice, and the power of imagination as resistance. The film explores complex themes: obedience versus morality, the loss of childhood during war, and whether fantasy is escape or transcendence. It's earned a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 98 on Metacritic for good reason—it's a film that stays with you, prompting discussions about history, storytelling, and what we choose to believe. For mature teens and adults, it's genuinely transformative.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

One of the most visually stunning fantasy films ever made—del Toro's creature design is iconic and the cinematography is gorgeous
Explores profound themes about fascism, resistance, innocence, and the power of imagination in unbearable circumstances
Perfectly balanced blend of harsh historical reality and haunting fairy tale—neither element undermines the other
The ambiguous ending respects audience intelligence and sparks genuine debate about what's real
Has aged incredibly well—still feels fresh and powerful nearly 20 years later

⚠

What to Watch For

Extremely graphic violence including close-up torture, a child's death on screen, and brutal executions—this is genuinely hard to watch
The 'fairy tale' framing is deceptive—this is a war film with fantasy elements, not a fantasy film with war elements
Deeply sad and emotionally heavy throughout—even the fantasy sequences are often disturbing rather than whimsical
Common Sense Media's age 15 recommendation is the absolute floor; many adults find this difficult viewing

Conversation Starters

"Do you think the magic was real, or was it Ofelia's way of coping with an impossible situation? Does it matter?"
"Why do you think the Faun gave Ofelia tasks that seemed cruel? Was he testing her or something else?"
"The Captain represents fascism at its most brutal—what does the film say about following orders versus doing what's right?"
"How does Ofelia's fantasy world reflect what's happening in the real world around her?"
"What does the ending mean to you? Is it hopeful or tragic or both?"

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