His films consistently explore monsters as misunderstood beings worthy of empathy, from Pan's Labyrinth to The Shape of Water.
David Cronenberg CanadaHe pioneered body horror and the transformation of humans into creatures, examining the monstrous within us through visceral cinema.
Hayao Miyazaki JapanHis animated masterpieces feature richly imagined creatures and monsters that blur the line between beautiful and grotesque while exploring human nature.