Postmodern Mysticism

Postmodern Mysticism carefully explores the cinema of the prolific filmmaker Guillermo del Toro. Arguing for del Torös status as a consummate artist, this study encompasses all eight of his films, and mobilizes close, formal analyses of del Torös distinctive style as an extension of his personal history and personality. In doing so, Postmodern Mysticism illuminates the motifs, images, and issues that del Toro is invested in, such as: the beauty and horror of bodies; the restructuring and subversion of genre codes and conventions; and representations of children that reject sentimentalism. Moreover, with the recent preponderance of films and television programs based on or inspired by Christian and fairytale narratives, Postmodern Mysticism positions del Torös cinema as a subversive body of work that aims to challenge¿without pretense or derision¿religious dogma and the prettification of fairytales. As such, del Torös work is necessary viewing for audiences looking to break free from conventional approaches tö and understandings of¿Christianity and fairytales as they appear in film and television.