There's some huge debates going on in the forum at IMDB about whether or not the fantasy elements were real of all in Ofelia's mind. When I watched the movie, I never once doubted that it was real. But after reading the arguments (especially the "Occurance At Owl Creek Bridge"-alluded one, since we see Ofelia laying on the ground dying at the START of the film, and then at the end again) yeah I can see how its possible that the fantasy was in her head. But unfortunately it makes me like the film a little less to realise that it might not have been real. I like when fantasy is real. :P

Well, it had certainly never crossed my mind whilst watching the film that the fantasy sequences could be anything but real, but the friends I saw it with were all very adamant that this was the case.

With hindsight, I find it plausible that the fantasy elements took place entirely inside Ofelia's mind, to help her escape from the harsh realities of her life, and to give purpose and meaning to what was clearly a very forlorn existence. If so, the only thing which I don't understand is, toward the climax, how she really escaped from the room using the door she'd drawn herself out of chalk. There might have been hints which I missed. I guess I need to see it again.

SOMEONE TOOK THEIR KIDS!??!?!


Dude!!! IT SAYS RIGHT ON THE POSTER. R IS NOT FOR CHILLENS. JEEZ.