Oscar-nominated director Guillermo del Toro knows good talent when he sees it. And, that’s one of the reasons why he cast Katie Holmes in his latest film Don’t Be Afraid of The Dark.

“I loved her work,” Guillermo exclusively told OK! at the Don’t Be Afraid of The Dark press conference on Friday in San Diego, “I have always liked Katie’s work.”

The Mexican-born mastermind behind Pan’s Labyrinth and The Orphanage handpicked Mrs. Cruise for the leading female role on the 1970’s thriller remake.

“Ever since the first time I saw her in Go, she seemed to me as if she had an big energy and a reality.”

The film is based on a TV movie, which is centered on a young girl who moves in with her dad and his girlfriend, played by Katie, to realize they’re not the only occupants of the home.

“Katie was very present and she brought that to this film,” Guillermo revaled to OK!.

Don’t Be Afraid of The Dark, also starting Guy Pearce, is set to be released in January 2011.