X
- 1994
- R
- October Films
- 1 h 34 m
- 1994
- R
- October Films
- 1 h 34 m
Summary Jesus Gris discovers a mechanized scarab that causes a need for blood to those who are stabbed by it.
Directed By: Guillermo del Toro
Written By: Guillermo del Toro
- 1994
- R
- October Films
- 1 h 34 m
- 1994
- R
- October Films
- 1 h 34 m
Cronos
70
7.5
Where to Watch
Summary Jesus Gris discovers a mechanized scarab that causes a need for blood to those who are stabbed by it.
Directed By: Guillermo del Toro
Written By: Guillermo del Toro
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 12 Critic Reviews
70
83% Positive
10 Reviews
10 Reviews
8% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
8% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 12 Critic Reviews
70
83% Positive
10 Reviews
10 Reviews
8% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
8% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Cronos surprises with its sophisticated and spirited look at a tale straight from the crypt. [22 Apr 1994]
An offbeat and in some ways, more daring variation on vampirism
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 92 User Ratings
7.5
76% Positive
70 Ratings
70 Ratings
11% Mixed
10 Ratings
10 Ratings
13% Negative
12 Ratings
12 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 92 User Ratings
7.5
76% Positive
70 Ratings
70 Ratings
11% Mixed
10 Ratings
10 Ratings
13% Negative
12 Ratings
12 Ratings
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 dejará indiferente a nadie. A destacar el maquillaje y el diseño de producción.
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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 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.
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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.
For all its absurdity Cronos generates a real moral conviction.
[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.
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]
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 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.
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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.
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Apart from the cool Cronos itself this film is really quite forgettable. It held my attention but never really got going into anything amazing. It felt like I had seen a lot of the elements that made up this movie before. I thought that this would be really scary with an intense atmosphere but instead all I got was half a story and a film that was never exciting. The filmmaking shows professionalism but a lack of depth or imagination. A disappointingly bland vampire fantasy lacking anything outstanding.
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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 really boring and not surprising.
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Production Company
CNCAIMC,
Fondo de Fomento a la Calidad Cinematográfica,
Grupo Del Toro,
Guillermo Springall,
Iguana Producciones,
Instituto Mexicano de Cinematografía (IMCINE),
S.T.P.C.,
Servicos Filmicos ANC,
Universidad de Guadalajara,
Ventana Films
Release Date Mar 30, 1994
Duration 1 h 34 m
Rating R
Tagline The secret of immortality is living inside the Cronos device.
Awards
Ariel Awards, Mexico
• 9 Wins & 13 Nominations
Fantasporto
• 3 Wins & 3 Nominations
Sitges - Catalonian International Film Festival
• 2 Wins & 3 Nominations
