Del Toro explicitly states that Roberto Gavaldón’s films, particularly 'Macario,' were foundational in shaping his own cinematic language, including his visual style, thematic preoccupations with death, folklore, and the supernatural, and his unique blend of gothic horror, social realism, and rich visual storytelling. He draws parallels between Gavaldón’s use of chiaroscuro and gothic atmosphere and his own work, such as 'Pan's Labyrinth' and 'The Devil's Backbone'.
The Films That Shaped It