Cronos

Name: Cronos
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Horror, Comedy
Released: March 30, 1994
Duration: 94 min
Rating: 70
Cast: Federico Luppi, Ron Perlman

1994

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Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 99 Ratings

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7.5

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Cronos

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Movie Details & Credits

October Films | Release Date: March 30, 1994 | R

Starring: Federico Luppi, Ron Perlman

Summary: Jesus Gris discovers a mechanized scarab that causes a need for blood to those who are stabbed by it.

Director: Guillermo del Toro

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller, Horror, Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 94 min

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Critic Reviews

Richard Harrington

Cronos is a horror genre film about vampires - but one so well conceived and executed that it satisfies both mainstream and art-film expectations. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

Cronos surprises with its sophisticated and spirited look at a tale straight from the crypt. [22 Apr 1994]

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

An offbeat and in some ways, more daring variation on vampirism Read full review

Roger Ebert

For all its absurdity Cronos generates a real moral conviction. Read full review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

[It] may not be your cup of tea, but you have to admire the style, sincerity, and overall sense of craft even if you don't fancy the comic-book gore. Read full review

Marc Savlov

Cronos is a thoughtful, intelligent film, and as a horror movie (which is, I think, its main mission in life) it's genuinely disquieting. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

The picture, which marks the debut of Mexican film maker Guillermo del Toro, is a dull hybrid - a ponderous art film crossed with a vampire story. [06 May 1994]

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User Reviews

alejandro970

Nov 24, 2018

La película que sacó del anonimato a Guillermo del Toro y lo pondría bajo el reflector. Un enfoque fresco al género de vampiros, situando la inmortalidad al mismo tiempo como una bendición y una maldición, en un tono más cercano al drama que el de terror, con un final que no dejaráLa película que sacó del anonimato a Guillermo del Toro y lo pondría bajo el reflector. Un enfoque fresco al género de vampiros, situando la inmortalidad al mismo tiempo como una bendición y una maldición, en un tono más cercano al drama que el de terror, con un final que no dejará indiferente a nadie. A destacar el maquillaje y el diseño de producción.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Jhikaru

Nov 4, 2014

This movie was marvelous. It was a really interesting and original story. It also had a remarkable group of casts especially Federico Luppi and Ron Perlman. Ron had added some comedy scenes to the film too. The progression of the film tends to move in a slower pace but it does not make meThis movie was marvelous. It was a really interesting and original story. It also had a remarkable group of casts especially Federico Luppi and Ron Perlman. Ron had added some comedy scenes to the film too. The progression of the film tends to move in a slower pace but it does not make me felt bored at all while watching. I loved the soundtrack that played at the final part of the film, it was great and really improved the mood of the scene. Director Del Toro did a fabulous job in directing this movie. It would be awesome if the movie talked more about the history background of the device and its maker.
Overall, Cronos is amazing and those who prefer a not so scary, no shocks, no nudity scene, not too gory, slower pace type of horror movie, this is the right one for you.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Spangle

Sep 17, 2016

Guillermo del Toro has always had a flair for the fantastical and that was ever on display in his directorial debut, Cronos. A vampire film about an unsuspecting man who discovers a device that will give him eternal life, Cronos is a film with considerable heart, but also a terrificGuillermo del Toro has always had a flair for the fantastical and that was ever on display in his directorial debut, Cronos. A vampire film about an unsuspecting man who discovers a device that will give him eternal life, Cronos is a film with considerable heart, but also a terrific atmosphere, special effects, and a knack for making you feel unsettled. Of his works that I have seen, del Toro makes horror-esque films and often dabbled on the outskirts of the horror genre. Cronos is the most horror of any of them, but it is not the type to leave you scared and afraid to turn off the lights. Instead, it is the type of horror film that lingers in the air and in the mind.

With a compelling premise and well thought out mythology behind this mysterious cronos device, Guillermo del Toro creates a sense of mystery that quickly turns into dread as you discover what secrets this device holds. Creating this stiff, atmospheric tension, del Toro's debut never produces outright scares, but it does create significant tension. As Jesus Gris (Federico Luppi) begins to explore the device and transform before our eyes, the film is incredibly tense and retains this sense of mystery, as the film's mythology and explanation of events is ever evolving as we learn alongside Jesus what this device is truly capable of. The unique backstory aside, however, the film does largely stick to typical vampire genre tropes when it comes to the daily life of a vampire. However, del Toro executes these tropes very well and makes them feel fresh and new, in large part thanks to the backstory.

In terms of the writing, it is typical del Toro fare. Smart and well crafted characters who are very well developed and relatable. Particularly, del Toro manages to wring significant pathos out of this film, particularly when it comes to the relationships between Jesus and his wife and his granddaughter. Truly moving, this is the human core to all of del Toro's fantastical films and, as he will later do to perfection in Pan's Labyrinth, he executes it flawlessly. This is not some hollow vampire film. Instead, it is one with a heart and soul, which is always appreciated.

The film's special effects are another one of its major strengths, namely when Jesus is becoming a vampire. The decaying flesh, the ripping of dead flesh, and the full transformation, are really impressive. This is make-up special effects at their very finest and given the film's release date, this work is thoroughly impressive. How they managed to make them look this believable and never silly is a true accomplishment.

Overall, Cronos is a terrific film that showcases the skill Guillermo del Toro already possessed at the time of his debut, as well as hinted at even better things for the director. With a consistently tense and mysterious atmosphere, Cronos is a vampire film that strikes its viewers in the heart with its tension, unsettling events, and emotion.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

TheQuietGamer

Oct 31, 2016

Guillermo del Toro's take on vampires is rife with the writer and director's little fetishes. Insects and clocks are integral parts to the story. They help add to the film's unique twists to vampire lore.

What it lacks in fear it more than makes up for with plot. It's respectableGuillermo del Toro's take on vampires is rife with the writer and director's little fetishes. Insects and clocks are integral parts to the story. They help add to the film's unique twists to vampire lore.

What it lacks in fear it more than makes up for with plot. It's respectable depiction of vampires is all tied up in very compelling characters. The bond between main character Jesús (not sure if that's an intentional bit of irony there or not) and his granddaughter Aurora is touching. Ron Perlman is an absolute treat.

Cronos is a very enjoyable vampire movie. Guillermo del Toro brings his signature feel and quirks along for the ride with a unique take on vampires. My only complaint is that it isn't a scary film. However the classic atmosphere of those classic vampire horror flicks is present and the story is interesting. So in the end it's still a success of a movie.

8.9/10… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Bugger217

Sep 3, 2017

A solid debut effort from Guillermo del Toro that has a strong sense of confidence. A fascinating twist on the traditional vampire tale, with a great central performance from Federico Luppi, and a wonderfully eccentric Ron Perlman to boot. Even as early as this, you can feel Guillermo beginA solid debut effort from Guillermo del Toro that has a strong sense of confidence. A fascinating twist on the traditional vampire tale, with a great central performance from Federico Luppi, and a wonderfully eccentric Ron Perlman to boot. Even as early as this, you can feel Guillermo begin to develop the sumptuous style that he'd ultimately perfect over the course of his his career.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

amheretojudge

Jun 27, 2018

a phantasmagorical delight that is at best innocent and tender..

Cronos The chemistry of the relationship between the grandfather and grandchild is depicted with passion that is clearly visible on screen as its three dimensional character communicates with the audience from frame to frame.a phantasmagorical delight that is at best innocent and tender..

Cronos

The chemistry of the relationship between the grandfather and grandchild is depicted with passion that is clearly visible on screen as its three dimensional character communicates with the audience from frame to frame. The scrutiny in here isn't as convoluted, but then the makers wisely doesn't focus on it and keeps it simple and sensible. It is rich on technical aspects like sound department, art design and editing, although the make-up design could have been a lot better. Guillermo del Toro; the writer-director, has done an excellent work on executing his anticipated vision that can be inedible and adorable to encounter at times. The structure of Guillermo's feature follows textbook formula as he plays safe every time and works for him too, and the reason behind it could also be his skills on weaving the plot through using the characteristics of his pragmatic characters. Federico Luppi is decent on his portrayal and is supported nicely by Ron Pearlman and Tamara Shanath. Cronos is a phantasmagorical delight that is at best innocent and tender and at worst horrifyingly poetic, and the makers being well aware of it keeps the balance throughout the course of it, ending on a nail-biting climax.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

GrandtourGames

Dec 27, 2022

This movie begins with a very interesting story around a scarab and its powers that gives eternal life and creates an insatiable thirsty for blood, but as the movie continues, you just feel that things happen very slowly (when something happens, rare moments) and this makes the movie reallyThis movie begins with a very interesting story around a scarab and its powers that gives eternal life and creates an insatiable thirsty for blood, but as the movie continues, you just feel that things happen very slowly (when something happens, rare moments) and this makes the movie really boring and not surprising.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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