The ghosts of Guillermo
 

PostED ON 15.10.2025

In conjunction with the presentation of his Frankenstein, this documentary takes viewers on a journey of discovery into the fascinating inner world of Guillermo del Toro. 

© New Line Cinema / DR
The set of Blade II (2002)

THE SUBJECT: Yves Montmayeur examined Guillermo del Toro's monster-filled universe, a source of inspiration for the latter, the result of his childhood beliefs and Mexican upbringing.

THE METHOD:  documentary takes us to key locations, primarily his hometown of Guadalajara, where a major exhibition was held in his honour in 2019: En casa con mis monstruos (‘At home with my monsters’). His cabinet of curiosities, comprising a collection of 900 items (objects, sculptures, old papers), reflects his fascination with oddities and how they have shaped  his narrative identity.

BONUS: The film's originality lies in its approach. Instead of detailing del Toro's filmography, he identifies sources of his inspiration and traces their presence in his work. We learn, for instance, that the desecration scene in Hellboy comes from his experience working as an intern on a Mexican horror movie, where the director had tasked him with... digging a grave. Another surprise is that del Toro expresses himself as much as a philosopher as a cinephile, such as when he reflects on how his religious beliefs – both indigenous and Spanish – have influenced his narrative art. Visiting other museums and exhibitions with him, we learn of his admiration for Honoré Fragonard's écorchés, as well as for the work of David Cronenberg: ‘I would have loved to have directed Videodrome or The Fly’. How could there be a better tribute?

Carlos Gomez 

Sangre Del Toro by Yves Montmayeur (2025, 1h25)
Pathé Bellecour Wed 15 4:30pm