Guillermo del Toro’s acclaimed dark fantasy is getting a nationwide theatrical re-release, with stars Ivana Baquero and Doug Jones reflecting on the film’s lasting impact and the experience of bringing its extraordinary creatures to life.
Two decades after its debut, Pan’s Labyrinth continues to captivate audiences. For Ivana Baquero, who played the young protagonist Ofelia at just 11 years old, the film remains a cherished fairy tale. For Doug Jones, who portrayed two of its most memorable creatures, it is a dreamlike experience that has taken on a life of its own.
“It’s transcended time and it’s become a cult movie, which is amazing and so unique,” Baquero said in a recent video interview. Looking back, she described the production as an experience she will always treasure, one that helped shape her career as an actor.
The film, directed by Guillermo del Toro, is returning to cinemas across the United States for a special one-week engagement running through October 16. The anniversary edition has been painstakingly restored frame by frame, with screenings available in standard 2D as well as selected 3D and 4K presentations.
A dark fairy tale that still resonates
Set in Spain in the summer of 1944, in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, Pan’s Labyrinth follows Ofelia as she moves with her pregnant mother, Mercedes, played by Maribel Verdú, to the countryside. There, they live under the control of her ruthless stepfather, Captain Vidal, portrayed by Sergi López, a military officer determined to crush the remaining Republican rebels hiding in the surrounding forests.
As Ofelia explores the woodland, she discovers a mysterious labyrinth and encounters a supernatural world populated by fantastical beings, including fairies and a Faun played by Jones.
The Faun tells her that she is the reincarnation of a princess from an enchanted underground kingdom. To reclaim her place there, she must complete three tasks, one of which requires her to retrieve a dagger from the lair of the Pale Man, a terrifying creature that preys on children. Jones also plays this character.
For Jones, the film remains one of del Toro’s defining achievements and a work whose themes continue to speak to audiences.
“This is a masterpiece of Guillermo’s for sure,” he said, adding that while the film carries personal meaning as a record of a particular moment in his career, its relevance has endured.
Fans still approach him to discuss how the film has affected their lives, he said, describing its continued popularity as unusual for a movie released two decades ago.
“It’s got a very solid shelf life with the fans who have taken it into their hearts and minds,” Jones said. He added that the anniversary re-release was a first in his career, making the occasion particularly meaningful.
Beyond its fantastical elements, the film offers audiences an escape into a world where a young girl faces brutal circumstances and ultimately emerges victorious, he said.
Bringing the Faun and the Pale Man to life
Although Baquero had already appeared in several film and television productions before joining Pan’s Labyrinth, working opposite its extraordinary creatures was a distinctive experience. Jones’s performances relied on elaborate practical makeup and prosthetics rather than simply computer-generated effects.
Baquero said she had always been a curious child and enjoyed auditions, even when other young actors found them intimidating. She recalled seeing children emerge from audition rooms in tears, while she herself approached the process with enthusiasm.
Jones’s transformation into the Faun initially made an impression. The character’s stilts made him even taller, adding to his imposing appearance. But Baquero said her initial nerves quickly disappeared once she understood how the effects were created and got to know the actor beneath the makeup.
Jones also made an effort to speak Spanish phonetically so that she could respond naturally to his performance.
“He’s the most amazing co-star,” Baquero said, describing him as kind and generous. The combination of seeing the makeup process and working with Jones made the experience far less frightening than she had initially imagined.
For Jones, ensuring that his young co-star felt comfortable was essential. Having already played numerous monsters and other fantastical characters, he knew that children on film sets could sometimes be unsettled by such transformations.
He wanted Baquero to feel at ease with the person behind the elaborate costumes, so the production team invited her into the makeup room to see how the characters were created.
A director’s trust that shaped their careers
Baquero credits del Toro with helping her develop as a performer. Since Pan’s Labyrinth, she has appeared in numerous projects, including Netflix’s A Widow’s Game, as well as television series such as The Shannara Chronicles, High Seasand Spartacus: House of Ashur.
One of the most important lessons she took from the film was the way the director treated her as a professional despite her young age.
“He really trusted me,” she said. “That empowered me to put my best foot forward, and he took me really seriously.”
Baquero believes the same respect extends to everyone who works with del Toro. Once he makes a creative decision, she said, he trusts his instincts and those of the actors and crew members collaborating with him.
Jones, who had already worked with the director on Mimic (1997) and Hellboy (2004), said Pan’s Labyrinth deepened his appreciation for that trust.
Despite his experience, he struggled with imposter syndrome during the production and feared he might damage the film. Del Toro helped him overcome those doubts by encouraging him to trust his own instincts.
The two later reunited on Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008), Crimson Peak (2015) and The Shape of Water (2017), in which Jones played the central amphibious character in the Oscar-winning film.
For both actors, the enduring legacy of Pan’s Labyrinth reflects not only its striking imagery and dark fantasy but also the emotional power of its story and the creative trust that helped bring it to the screen.
The anniversary edition, rated R in the United States, is screening nationwide through October 16.
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