Pan's Labyrinth (20th Anniversary)

Pan's Labyrinth is coming to Gloucester Guildhall on Saturday 31 October, and it's a 20th anniversary screening of Guillermo del Toro's classic. It's part of the Guildhall's spine-chilling cinema season, so it sits right in the middle of the Halloween run. The film is showing in a new 4K restoration, which is a good reason to see it on the big screen even if you've already watched it a few times.

For those who haven't seen it, Pan's Labyrinth is a dark fairy tale set in post-Civil War Spain. It follows a young girl who discovers a mysterious labyrinth and is tasked with three dangerous trials by a faun to prove her royal lineage. It's a story that runs two parallel tracks: the fantastical world she creates for herself and the harsh, violent reality of the military outpost where her stepfather is in charge. The two eventually collide in a way that's as heartbreaking as it is eerie.

Del Toro is known for his creature work, and this is one of his most memorable. The Pale Man — the skinless monster who sits at a table with his eyes in his palms — is the kind of image that sticks with you long after the credits roll. It's a film that doesn't shy away from the darker side of things, and seeing it in a 4K restoration means the practical effects and the deep, moody colours of the Spanish countryside should look their best. It's a horror film in the sense that it's unsettling and atmospheric, but it's just as much a drama about childhood and survival.

The screening is taking place in The Chamber Cinema at Gloucester Guildhall on Saturday 31 October, so it's a proper Halloween night out. If you're planning to go, keep in mind that it's part of a wider season of cinema there, so it's one of several screenings running around this time of year.