Cronos (1993)

Director:

Guillermo del Toro

Writer:

Guillermo del Toro (screenplay)

Release Date:

May 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Horror

Plot:

In 1535, an alchemist builds an extraordinary mechanism encapsulated into a small golden device. The invention...

Plot Keywords:

Scarab | Blood | Vampire | Alchemist | Tycoon

Awards:

21 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Federico Luppi	...	Jesus Gris
Ron Perlman	...	Angel de la Guardia
Claudio Brook	...	De la Guardia
Margarita Isabel	...	Mercedes
Tamara Shanath	...	Aurora
Daniel Giménez Cacho	...	Tito
Mario Iván Martínez	...	Alchemist
Farnesio de Bernal	...	Manuelito
Juan Carlos Colombo	...	Funeral Director
Jorge Martínez de Hoyos	...	Narrator (voice)
Luis Rodríguez	...	Buyer
Javier Álvarez	...	Bleeding Man
Gerardo Moscoso	...	Drunk
Eugenio Lobo	...	Stoned Man
Adriana Olivera	...	Tango Student

Also Known As:

Chronos
La invención de Cronos

MPAA:

Rated R for horror violence and for language.

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

Mexico

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

South Korea:12 | Spain:18 | Denmark:16 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Canada:18A | UK:18 | USA:R | Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Mexico

Company:

CNCAIMC

Trivia:

Director Trademark: [Guillermo del Toro] [insects]The cockroaches in the statue and the Cronos Device.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When Jesús searches for Aurora after she has taken the Cronos, as he walks through two doors, he stops. Behind him, reflected in the glass of the door, is crew and equipment.

Quotes:

Jesus Gris: I am Jesus... Gris... Jesus Gris... Jesus Gris.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Blood Pact: The Making of 'Blade II' (2002) (V)

Soundtrack:

Die Schöne Müllerin

A gem lies inside Cronos.

An antiques dealer finds a device that gives everlasting life, but with it comes a horrible price.

Cronos follows the story of a kind hearted Mexican antiques dealer Jesus (a well cast Frederico Luppi), who one day stumbles upon a huge golden mechanical bug that when applied to specific parts of his anatomy seemingly starts reversing the aging process. However lurking in the background are a demented man (played by a very haunting Claudio Brook) who realizes the potential of the mechanical bug's power and will stop at nothing to acquire it. Assisting him in his search to get the mechanism is his maniacal son Angel (Ron Perlman in one of his best performances).

Writer/Director Guillermo Del Toro proves that he could be one of the most innovative low budget mexican directors to come about since Robert Rodriguez. The scenes showing the inside of the cronos device are very sharply done and it seems you are actually looking inside the device. To compliment Guillermo on his writing, never before have I seen such an interesting spin put on the vampire/zombie genre. And in saying that I may be giving away too much of the plot.

Unfortunately due to low production cost, the movie moves along at a slow pace and without a lot of shock. It is, however, kept strong by first rate acting, especially by Jesus' little granddaughter (Tamara Shanath), who in my opinion, if given the chance, will grow up to be a very fine actress. Which is actually a great feat for all actors involved because this movie is a cross between drama and horror and requires fine acting.

All in all, this best picture winner at Cannes is a hidden horror gem that just pours out originality, and can really not be overlooked by any true horror or movie buff. The twists come aplenty and there is enough gore to suffice any horror fan. So for any person looking to rent a mindless gorefest rent C.H.U.D. But for those looking for a horror film with a little intelligence, do yourself a favour and pick up Cronos, it's well worth the rent.

Overall Rating: 7 out of 10