Is The Faun Evil In 'Pan's Labyrinth'? The Movie's Real Villain, Explained
The Faun is a central part of Pan's Labyrinth (2006). After Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) finds herself in the labyrinth, the Faun lays out her destiny as Princess Moanna and the three tasks she must complete to return to her kingdom. However, just like many aspects of the film, the Faun is enchanting but creepy. He seems to carry respect for Ofelia's royal status, yet his interactions with her feel slightly… off.
It's this complicated aspect of the character that often spurs questions among audiences. Is the Faun good by acting as a knowledgeable guide for Ofelia? Or is the Faun actually some sort of demon sent to lead her to misfortune? Mercedes even warns Ofelia that Fauns are untrustworthy. The good news is that director Guillermo del Toro has some answers.
The Faun Isn't Good or Bad in 'Pan's Labyrinth'
The short answer to the Faun's morality is neither. The Faun isn't good, but he isn't bad either. As del Toro said (via Cinemaquette), "A creature that is neither good or evil....like nature....a character there to be witness and shepherd her (Ofelia) in her rite of passage, but he has no agenda. He doesn't care if she dies or lives."
To some, that still might read as "evil," considering not caring about a child's well-being is, well, pretty concerning. However, the Faun's comparison to nature explains that. After all, how many times have tragic disasters (like tornadoes or monsoons) killed people, children included? It's the brutal side of nature that acts as the dark, ruthless opposite to sunny days and clear skies. We humans can pump our fists into the sky and scream, "Why?" but the sad truth is that there is no why. It's just nature being nature, and it can be both wonderful and horrific.
Based on del Toro's words, the Faun acts similarly. He is an ambiguous character who serves as a taskmaster of sorts. He lays out Ofelia's three missions, but he doesn't necessarily care about her safety, just that she follows the rules. If she passes the trials, she confirms her status as Princess Moanna. If not, it's no skin off his back. That's what the trials are for: to rule out imposters. To him, it's nothing personal, just business.
The Faun Has Roots in Greek Mythology
The Faun is essentially del Toro's take on satyrs and fauns, the half-human, half-goat creatures of Greek and Roman mythology, respectively. However, del Toro has been clear that his Faun is not the same as the Greek god, Pan, who governs shepherds, flocks, and the more untamed side of nature. In fact, the original title for Pan's Labyrinth was El laberinto del fauno, which translates to The Labyrinth of the Faun. It wasn't until the studio decided that English-speaking audiences might mistake "faun" for the baby deer and were likely more familiar with Pan.
That adds further proof to the Faun's ambiguity and almost apathy toward Ofelia. If he were in fact the Greek god Pan, the story likely would have played out very differently, considering Pan is known for being mischievous, unpredictable, and sending humans into panic. Luckily for Ofelia, she meets del Toro's take on Roman fauns, which are also known for trickery, but more subdued or perhaps more innocent than Pan.
Who Is the True Villain of 'Pan's Labyrinth'?
The dishonor of Pan's Labyrinth's true villain goes to Captain Vidal (Sergi López). Not only is Vidal a proud and devout fascist, but he is also Ofelia's stepfather. That means that Ofelia isn't just witnessing the horrors occurring just post-war outside, but she's literally living with them. Vidal's atrocities mount throughout the movie, proving he is up for killing anybody, spy or not. Let's also not forget that [SPOILER!] he even shoots Ofelia toward the film's end.
Unlike the Faun, who remains ambiguous at best and morally gray at worst, Vidal is an obvious villain. He dislikes Ofelia, feels like he is morally superior to most people he interacts with, and has no issue with cruelty. This makes Ofelia's need for escapism more vital, which circles back to the Faun, who serves as a mysterious bridge between the real world and the magical one.
Pan's Labyrinth is undoubtedly a tragic fairy tale, but that's Vidal's doing. The Faun is just there to test Ofelia with tasks aimed at her values. Will she mindlessly follow his orders, or stay true to her own morals? While Vidal would want the former under his fascist regime, the Faun's labyrinth rewards her for the latter, proving that upholding good values and retaining your autonomy are where true freedom lies.
