Guillermo Del Toro Talks about Monsters, Fears and his Worlds

Shashat Media at the Marrakech International Film Festival 2025

At the 2025 Marrakech International Film Festival, Shashat Media spoke with filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, whose career has been defined by creatures that blur the line between horror and humanity.

Del Toro has created many monsters over the years, but when asked which one still haunts him, his answer was not a character from his films. Instead, he spoke about something more personal. For del Toro, the monster that lingers is internal, shaped by conscience, memory, and moral responsibility.

Growing up Catholic, he explained, had a lasting effect on how he sees the world. As a young boy, he developed a strong sense of guilt around the idea of hurting others. That feeling never left him. Even now, he said, he struggles with the thought of causing pain, which is why violence in his work is never careless or empty. There is always consequence, and often compassion.

This outlook is reflected in how del Toro treats monsters in his films. They are rarely evil for the sake of it. More often, they are misunderstood, lonely, or punished for being different. In contrast, human characters are frequently the source of cruelty.

The conversation also turned to world-building, a defining feature of del Toro’s career. Having created so many distinct universes, he was asked which one he would choose to live in. His answer was immediate. He said he would happily live in the world of Hellboy, a place he feels balances darkness with humor and belonging.

Del Toro also spoke about his admiration for Frankenstein, calling it one of the most important stories in his creative life. However, he noted that while he respects much of 20th-century storytelling, he feels impartial toward the era itself. 

His interests are not tied to one period but spread across myths, history, and imagined futures.

At Marrakech 2025, del Toro came across not just as a master of fantasy, but as a filmmaker deeply concerned with empathy, responsibility, and the emotional cost of storytelling. His monsters, much like their creator, are shaped by a strong moral core.