Cronos
Metascore
70 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
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  1. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kenneth Turan
    90
    Cronos surprises with its sophisticated and spirited look at a tale straight from the crypt. [22 Apr 1994]
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  2. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Richard Harrington
    90
    Cronos is a horror genre film about vampires - but one so well conceived and executed that it satisfies both mainstream and art-film expectations.
  3. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Staff (Not Credited)
    88
    An offbeat and in some ways, more daring variation on vampirism
  4. Empire
    Reviewed by: Steve Beard
    80
    A witty, stylish and imaginative variation on the vampire movie.
  5. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Janet Maslin
    80
    This film's reflective, even stately style elevates it from the ranks of ordinary stake-through-the-heart vampire dramaturgy, turning it into something much more exotic.
  6. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Desson Thomson
    80
    An enormously enjoyable gothic yarn from Mexico, transfuses the genre with wry grotesquerie, but retains respect for the old, classic films.
  7. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    75
    For all its absurdity Cronos generates a real moral conviction.
  8. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Jonathan Rosenbaum
    70
    [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.
  9. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Marc Savlov
    67
    Cronos is a thoughtful, intelligent film, and as a horror movie (which is, I think, its main mission in life) it's genuinely disquieting.
  10. ReelViews
    Reviewed by: James Berardinelli
    63
    Cronos is more concerned with ideas and atmosphere than people.
  11. The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
    Reviewed by: Rick Groen
    50
    A Mexican feature from writer/director Guillermo Del Toro, it's a modern vampire tale that occasionally rises to the level of competence but never inches any higher. [20 May 1994]
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  12. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Mick LaSalle
    25
    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

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User Score
7.5 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. chelano
    8
    This movie had a lot of good things going for it. First it had a great cast. Federico Luppi was a great character for the film and he really did an excellent job as main. Also I find it kind of ironic that his name is Jesus. Tamara Shanath, who played the little girl, had such a strange character, but she really pulled it off. The others were good too, but I will only mention Ron Perlman because he brought some nice comedy to the film as well. The story was pretty fantastic. It was like they combined being a vampire with being a zombie; but they put their own little twist on it. The twist made the story good from start to finish. The movie wasn't as scary as it was interesting. It may not make you jump in your seat, but it still gives off the horror vibe. Take it all in and it will seem creepy to you. Guillermo del Toro wins awards for reasons and this is just one of the films to show it.… Full Review »
  2. ElizabethA.
    9
    Thoughtful and beautiful! Guillermo del Toro is a truly amazing director. His character development adds such meaning to his films. You can't help but care about what happens to them! He takes time to tell a great story!… Full Review »
  3. JasonV.
    9
    Great twist on the vampire film, with some great black humour from Ron Perlman.
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