You have to admit that it's unforgettable

Rating: 9/10 (26 February 2020)

Visually, this film reminded me somewhat of Terry Gilliam's _Brazil_. Everything looks dated, elaborately cockeyed, and surrealistic. It's a feast for the eyes.
Content-wise, the film is rich in metaphor. The negative reviewers obviously have no taste for magic realism, a rich Latin American tradition that Guillermo Del Toro has brought to the movie screen. These same reviewers probably hate the authors Marquez and Borges--or they would if they had ever read anything other than People magazine.
Yes, there is a bit of sex and violence. Being somewhat puritanical, I flinched a couple of times, but none of it was salacious or overdone. Del Toro does what he does. The film is his vision, and I respect that.
There is really no way to describe this film. It obviously evokes Beauty and the Beast, but it goes way beyond that. Open minded folks and those who appreciate grand cinema will put on their "best movies" list.
The performances by Hawkins, Shannon, Jenkins, Spencer, and Doug Jones as the creature are unforgettable. You can tell when actors know they're participating in something great.