Sometimes when you’re the reincarnation of a mythical princess and fighting facism, you gotta disobey a few rules. That’s the lesson we’re gleaning, anyway, from the dark fairy tale that is Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)—a movie all three of your hosts had never seen before, but one that’s instantly recognizable for its iconic visuals and nightmarish creatures. Guillermo del Toro is no stranger to fantasy and this one certainly cemented him as a genius in the genre. It’s a rich parable packed with enough symbolism to keep the internet ruminating with fan theories and interpretations for years. On our newest episode, we’re doing our part to unpack its many meanings while diving into our love of Doug Jones, the real vs imagined debate, and what the hell is up with the Pale Man.

Resources

https://www.cmucollege.com/blog/oscars-lookback-inside-the-world-of-pans-labyrinth/

https://www.slashfilm.com/1131730/why-doug-jones-thought-he-was-going-to-ruin-pans-labyrinth/

https://www.cbr.com/pans-labyrinth-underworld-real-or-imagined/

https://www.theotherfolk.blog/dissections/pans-labyrinth

https://medium.com/@culturalcurfew/the-hidden-meaning-behind-pans-labyrinth-1c06086919d

https://www.vivianasimos.com/incidental-mythology/the-meaning-of-the-pale-man

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/25-best-horror-movies-of-the-21st-century-ranked/