I Did A Guillermo Del Toro Marathon For The First Time In Years, And I’m Shocked At What Has Become My Favorite Film

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It’s clear that if you’re familiar with me, you’d know I’m quite passionate about Guillermo del Toro‘s work. My admiration for him has spanned over many years. I’ve taken the time to watch every one of his movies, eagerly awaited announcements of any new film releases from 2025 and beyond, and in a sense, could be considered a devoted fan. Remarkably, del Toro has been creating films even before my birth.

To be truthful, it’s been quite some time since I watched all of Guillermo del Toro’s films one after another. In fact, it’s been a considerable length of time. While I’ve caught his latest releases and occasionally revisited the old ones, it has been years since I undertook a full Guillermo del Toro movie marathon. Recently, however, I decided to revisit this experience over the past few weeks. Surprisingly, the film that ended up being my favorite took me by surprise.

A Lot Of His Earlier Films Are Great

It’s uncommon to discuss a renowned film director and find that their latest creation is considered their finest. Instead, it seems we often gravitate towards their classic works when discussing directors like Christopher Nolan. For instance, many people will mention The Dark Knight, Inception, or even Interstellar as his best films. Some might bring up Oppenheimer, which has been well-received, but I believe his earlier work still holds a special place for many.

Perhaps when discussing Steven Spielberg’s most renowned films, Jurassic Park or Schindler’s List often come up. However, with Guillermo del Toro, I believe his movies improved significantly over time. I wouldn’t say his earlier works represent his best.

Let me clarify, it’s still top-notch. He wouldn’t have earned his title as a master of horror and fantasy without it. His two Hellboy films are undeniably excellent superhero movies, unrelated to any contemporary superhero worlds. Blade II remains iconic. Pan’s Labyrinth is equally impressive. If I had to summarize, it was this film that truly established Guillermo del Toro as a director. For a long time, it held the title of my favorite one he made. However, there’s another movie that outshines them all – one I must discuss.

However, Nightmare Alley Became My Favorite By Far, And Is Even Better A Second Time Around

You might not have anticipated it, but indeed, Nightmare Alley is among Guillermo del Toro’s finest works, and I must admit, I grew to adore it quite a lot.

One might expect, given its title, that “Nightmare Alley” would rank among the top horror films. However, this assumption is misleading as it’s not a traditional horror movie at all. Instead, it falls under the category of neo-noir psychological thrillers. This genre might come as a surprise to many, considering Guillermo del Toro’s reputation for fantasy and horror productions. Yet, “Nightmare Alley,” adapted from the 1946 novel of the same name, certainly proves to be a captivating watch for those who appreciate such stories.

In simpler terms, Nightmare Alley revolves around a carnival employee who ventures into risky endeavors to accumulate wealth and climb the social ladder. However, as things progress, the nature of his work becomes increasingly dark, causing significant disruption in his life. If you haven’t watched it yet (and many others are in the same boat), this movie presents a compelling story about ambition and its potentially destructive consequences.

This movie flips the thriller genre upside down. Unlike a David Fincher production that leaves you puzzled about right and wrong by the end, this one keeps you guessing all the way through. In essence, it embodies the very spirit of a thriller, as every moment is unpredictable and keeps you on the edge of your seat.

I Still Love Pinocchio, But Nightmare Alley Is So Creative

Back in 2022, I penned a heartfelt piece about my cinematic journey with Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio. Watching that masterpiece left an indelible impression on me, eclipsing the brilliance of any other del Toro film I had previously seen – and remember, this was following Nightmare Alley.

I admit, it’s been a while since I watched Nightmare Alley, so perhaps my appreciation for it wasn’t as profound at that moment. However, Pinocchio remains one of my all-time favorite del Toro films, evoking such raw emotions within me.

Upon viewing “Nightmare Alley,” I discovered that many of the emotions evoked during “Pinocchio” seemed to be echoed in it. Despite their distinct differences and intended audiences (except for cinephiles like myself), I frequently experienced the same level of exhilarating excitement and intensity watching “Nightmare Alley” as I did with “Pinocchio.” Guillermo del Toro masterfully created a film that kept me on the edge of my seat.

At that moment, I came to understand that Nightmare Alley had moved up to my number one pick. Crafting an effective thriller involves immersing oneself fully into the viewer’s mindset. As a writer and director, you must uncover what sets the human brain in motion. When I found myself experiencing emotions similar to those evoked during Pinocchio while watching this movie, it definitely changed my perspective on it.

The exceptional performances by the cast in Nightmare Alley significantly contributed to its impact on me. They brought their characters to life so convincingly that it’s become challenging to distinguish them from their real-life personas. From the moment I started watching, I was instantly captivated and found myself feeling a whirlwind of emotions throughout. The film seemed like an incredible work of art poured into every frame, and while comparing it to Pinocchio might seem unusual, that’s how powerful its impact felt on me.

It’s A Shame That It Came Out During A Time Where Not As Many People Saw The Film In Theaters

In retrospect, it’s heartbreaking to reflect on the release of this movie. It dropped in December 2021 when cinema attendance was at an all-time low. The only film that seemed to make a significant impact during that period was none other than “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” with its fan-pleasing antics.

Despite being one of several Academy Award-winning films that emerged during this period, Nightmare Alley was relatively less viewed in theaters compared to others like Steve Spielberg’s West Side Story and Licorice Pizza, as well as other notable releases. Unfortunately, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on movie theaters, Nightmare Alley did not receive the same level of acclaim it deserved back then.

Regardless of the method, it’s now accessible to stream online, and this is a movie I strongly urge you to see. It’s not particularly terrifying, but it showcases some truly exceptional instances of cinematography and acting that I believe warrant far more admiration and recognition.

Since Guillermo del Toro has another movie coming out in 2025 titled “Frankenstein”, why not take a look at his most recent live-action film before that? I’ll be revisiting mine for enjoyment, if it doesn’t bother you.

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2025-08-09 16:11