Interview: Guillermo del Toro Talks Nightmare Alley

We at JoBlo.com have a great deal of respect for Guillermo del Toro. His brilliance is on display in the dark beauty of films like The Shape of Water and Pan’s Labyrinth, as well as the beautiful horrors of The Devil’s Backbone and Blade 2. And don’t forget his wildly entertaining Hellboy films. The visionary director always brings a sense of wonder to his incredible work. And now he gives us Nightmare Alley, a remake of the 1947 classic, this time with Bradley Cooper taking on the role originally played by Tyrone Power. The new feature is a gorgeously dark and moody thriller. It brings the world of carnies to life with its stunning set design, and a fantastic cast that includes Cate Blanchett, Toni Collette, Willem Dafoe, Richard Jenkins, Rooney Mara, and Ron Perlman.

Recently, we had the joy of chatting with Guillermo about his latest. It’s always tricky to remake a film, especially well. Yet del Toro opened up about why he felt that this was a good time for a return to Nightmare Alley. And considering the size of the inspired ensemble cast, he ably allows all cast members to have their moment. While we didn’t get a ton of time with the director, he always brings his best to interviews. And besides being one of the most talented filmmakers working today, there is nobody more kind and genuine than this person. If you are hankering for something that will delight your senses, and shock appropriately, Nightmare Alley is for you.