protecting the innocent

His films consistently center vulnerable characters facing systemic threats, from children in war (Empire of the Sun, War Horse) to wrongly accused innocents (The Post, Lincoln).

He repeatedly explores the protection of innocence against fascism and darkness, particularly through child protagonists in Pan's Labyrinth and The Shape of Water.

His films deeply examine innocence threatened by greed and corruption, with young protagonists learning to protect themselves and others, as seen in Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle.