The Visual Representation of Historical Trauma in Pan’s Labyrinth - Focusing on Hal Foster’s ‘Uncanny’ and Jung’s ‘Archetype’ Theory

War and violence not only devastate individual lives but also leave profound scars on collective memory and culture. Guillermo del Toro’s Pan's Labyrinth(El laberinto del fauno, 2006) offers a poignant cinematic exploration of these themes, employing surrealist aesthetics and rich symbolic imagery to reimagine the traumatic legacy of the Spanish Civil War. This study examines how del Toro visually reconstructs historical trauma by integrating Carl G. Jung’s theory of archetypes and collective unconscious with Hal Foster’s reinterpretation of the uncanny. Through this lens, the research explores how trauma is confronted, processed, and reframed as a journey toward psychological healing and integration. Focusing on the protagonist Ofelia’s psychological journey, this paper analyzes how key fantastical elements—such as the labyrinth, the faun, and the Pale Man—function as archetypal symbols representing her internal struggles and her interaction with the oppressive realities of Francoist Spain. The study situates Pan's Labyrinthwithin the broader context of surrealist cinema, examining how the film employs uncanny imagery to evoke unease and fascination, immersing the audience in a complex engagement with historical trauma. By bridging Jung’s concepts of individuation and collective unconscious with del Toro’s cinematic language, this research reveals how the film transcends historical representation to propose a path toward psychological reconciliation and self-realization. This paper contributes to the discourse on trauma, memory, and visual storytelling, offering new insights into how fantastical narratives can serve as powerful vehicles for addressing collective and individual wounds. By transforming historical atrocities into a space for reflection and empathy, Pan's Labyrinth demonstrates the unique capacity of cinema to inspire both psychological introspection and the possibility of renewal.