The director of this movie , Del Toro said that he thinks the story to be a fable , influenced by fairy tales , and that it focuses on and continues themes related to his earlier movie The Devil 's Backbone , a spiritual sequel , though not an actual sequel . Del Toro stated that he considers the story to be a parable , influenced by fairy tales , and that it addresses and continues themes related to his earlier film The Devil 's Backbone ( 2001 ) , to which Pan 's Labyrinth is a spiritual successor , according to del Toro in his director 's commentary on the DVD .