Felix (56) a criminal boss in the south of Mexico, has always wanted to go to San Francisco so see how drawbridges rise for ships to go through. Misela (23), whose romantic partners die if they make her cry, seeks comfort in her mother and wants to know where she is buried. They are father and daughter, and one must betray the other in order to go on living.
Living with her tyrannical stepfather in a new home with her pregnant mother, 10-year-old Ofelia feels alone until she explores a decaying labyrinth guarded by a mysterious faun who claims to know her destiny. If she wishes to return to her real father, Ofelia must complete three terrifying tasks.