The Devil's Backbone – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Devil's Backbone

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2001

62%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Guillermo del Toro's haunting Spanish Civil War ghost story is artful and atmospheric—but genuinely scary and emotionally heavy.

7.4/10

93%

→

The Devil's Backbone

movie

R, 2001

62%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Guillermo del Toro's haunting Spanish Civil War ghost story is artful and atmospheric—but genuinely scary and emotionally heavy.

7.4

93%

Jump to

Also rated on

7.4/10

93%

View →

Where to Watch

Loading streaming options...

Where-to-watch data byJustWatch

Screenwise Verdict

This is Guillermo del Toro before Pan's Labyrinth—Gothic, atmospheric, intelligent horror that doubles as Spanish Civil War allegory. It's genuinely good filmmaking with critical acclaim to match (93% on RT).

But let's be clear: this is not a gateway horror film for tweens. The ghost imagery is legitimately creepy, there's a dead kid in the water, and the violence gets intense. It's emotionally heavy throughout, with themes of abandonment, betrayal, and children processing wartime trauma.

For the right teen—one who appreciates artful, slower-paced horror and can handle disturbing content—this is enriching. It prompts real reflection on history and morality. But it's also a 2001 Spanish-language film that requires reading subtitles and patience for atmospheric build-up rather than jump scares.

If your 15-year-old is into horror as art (not just as adrenaline), this is worth watching together. If they're looking for fun scares or can't handle heavy themes, skip it.

Age Fit

Common Sense Media recommends 13+, and that feels right. This is art-house horror for mature teens who can handle genuinely scary imagery and heavy themes about war, death, and trauma. Not for tweens or sensitive viewers.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Set during the Spanish Civil War, this film explores themes of loss, betrayal, and childhood trauma through a ghost story. While it models resilience and the children band together against adult corruption, the emotional tone is dark and melancholic. The violence becomes 'lurid and melodramatic' toward the end (per Movieguide), with children in genuine peril. Not chaotic, but heavy—this isn't emotionally nurturing content for most kids.

Imaginative

Guillermo del Toro crafts a genuinely atmospheric Gothic ghost story that blends supernatural horror with historical drama. The haunted orphanage setting, the ghostly child Santi, and the unexploded bomb in the courtyard create a unique, visually striking world. It invites viewers to puzzle out mysteries and think about how war trauma manifests. Original and artistically ambitious—this isn't cookie-cutter horror.

Safe

Multiple safety concerns: ghost imagery that could frighten younger viewers, a dead child seen in water, threat of explosion, children pursued by ghosts, and violence that becomes 'lurid' by the end. IMDb parent guide flags 'frightening & intense scenes' throughout. No MPAA rating listed, but Common Sense Media suggests 13+. This has genuine scares and disturbing content—not something a 10-year-old should stumble into unexpectedly.

Enriching

Critically acclaimed (93% RT critics, 78 Metacritic) as both 'a potent ghost story and an intelligent political allegory.' It tackles the Spanish Civil War, loss of innocence, adult corruption, and how children process trauma. The acting by the children is praised as very good. This is art-house horror that prompts reflection on history, morality, and grief—meaningful content for mature teens who can handle the intensity.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Critically acclaimed Gothic horror that works as both ghost story and historical allegory about war's impact on children
Atmospheric and visually striking—del Toro creates a genuinely eerie orphanage setting with real artistic merit
Strong performances from child actors and intelligent storytelling that respects teen viewers' ability to handle complex themes
Prompts reflection on history, morality, trauma, and how children survive in wartime—meaningful beyond the scares

⚠

What to Watch For

Genuinely frightening imagery: ghost of a dead child, corpse in water, threat of explosion, children in real peril
Violence becomes 'lurid and melodramatic' by the end—this isn't mild PG-13 horror
Heavy emotional tone throughout—themes of death, abandonment, betrayal, and war trauma dominate
Subtitled Spanish-language film from 2001—requires reading stamina and tolerance for slower pacing than modern horror

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think the ghost of Santi appears to Carlos? What does he want?"
"How does the Spanish Civil War setting affect the children's lives in the orphanage?"
"What did you think about how the adults in the film treated the children? Who could be trusted?"
"The film uses the unexploded bomb as a symbol—what do you think it represents?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic

Writing about The Devil's Backbone? Put this WISE score on your site