6.7/10
26,407
97 user 102 critic

Cronos (1993)

R | | Horror | May 1994 (USA)
Clip
2:49 | Clip
A mysterious device designed to provide its owner with eternal life resurfaces after four hundred years, leaving a trail of destruction in its path.

Director:

Guillermo del Toro
23 wins & 13 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Federico Luppi ... Jesus Gris
Ron Perlman ... Angel de la Guardia
Claudio Brook ... De la Guardia
Margarita Isabel Margarita Isabel ... Mercedes
Tamara Shanath 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 Luis Rodríguez ... Buyer
Javier Álvarez Javier Álvarez ... Bleeding Man
Gerardo Moscoso Gerardo Moscoso ... Drunk
Eugenio Lobo Eugenio Lobo ... Stoned Man
Adriana Olivera Adriana Olivera ... Tango Student
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Storyline

In 1536, in Veracruz, Mexico, during the Inquisition, an alchemist builds a mysterious and sophisticated device named Cronos to provide eternal life to the owner. In the present days, the antiques dealer Jesus Gris finds Cronos hidden inside an ancient statue while cleaning it with his granddaughter Aurora. He accidentally triggers the device and soon his wife Mercedes and he note that he has a younger appearance. Out of the blue, the stranger Angel de la Guardia visits Gris's shop and buys the old statue. On the next day, Gris finds his shop trashed and Angel's card on the floor. He pays a visit to Angel that introduces him to the eccentric millionaire De la Guardia that explains the healing power and the eternal life given by Cronos. Angel is sent by De la Guardia to hunt down Gris to get Cronos no matter the costs. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

The secret of immortality is living inside the Cronos device. See more »

Genres:

Horror

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for horror violence and for language | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The role of Jesus Gris was originally written for Max von Sydow. See more »

Goofs

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. See more »

Quotes

Funeral Director: You're going to Heaven covered in makeup. Your wife will think you've been with a whore!
See more »

Crazy Credits

Dedicated to the memory of Josefina Camberos See more »

Alternate Versions

Some explicit nudity was added in the US video release. See more »

Connections

Referenced in Adventures in Moviegoing: Guillermo del Toro (2017) See more »

Soundtracks

Die Schöne Müllerin
Franz Schubert
Arreglov: Charlotte Georg (as Lee Ashley) BMI
Editor: Software Music BMI
Cortesia de Capitol Productions Music - Ole Georg
See more »

User Reviews

 
An interesting, original and engaging retelling of a classic story!
12 January 2005 | by The_VoidSee all my reviews

Guillermo Del Toro's stylish and original take on the vampire legend is one of the most strangely overlooked and underrated films of the 1990's. It's films like this that make me want to watch films - films that are fresh, unpredictable and so rich in symbolism that it has leaves lots of room for discussion. Del Toro was little more than an amateur director at the time this made, but in spite of that he's more than given the professionals a run for their money. Every scene is adeptly filmed, and the way that Del Toro makes contrasts between locations and the two central families is a pleasure to observe. The way that the film switches language from English to Spanish and back again is indicative of the fact that this is a rich tapestry of contradictions and one that makes intelligent comments on many subjects, from obvious ones such as addiction, to more concealed ones, such as a commentary on family; stemming from the way that the roles of child and parent become reversed when our hero becomes afflicted with the vampire-like curse.

For the story, Del Toro has taken the classic vampire theme and mixed it with essences of mechanics and the human lust of being able to live forever. The story follows Jesús Gris, an antique dealer that lives with his granddaughter Aurora and wife Mercedes. One day, our hero happens upon a mechanical scarab that latches itself onto his palm, causing him to bleed. Jesús slowly gets addicted to the mystical scarab, but there's someone else that wants it and will stop at nothing to get it. The mythology of the scarab is told in a great opening sequence that sets the viewer up for an intriguing and original horror story. The film retains the intrigue that it sets up in it's intro for the duration, and Del Toro ensures that his audience is always left guessing and wanting to see what comes next. The film works due to interesting characters that the audience is able to feel for, and is constantly interesting by the way that Del Toro handles the contrasts that the story presents.

On the whole, this is a fabulous horror story that takes an existing legend and makes it it's own. This is exactly the sort of film that cinema needs more of; and it's not one that film fans will want to miss. Highly recommended viewing.


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Frequently Asked Questions

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Details

Country:

Mexico

Language:

Spanish | English

Release Date:

May 1994 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Cronos See more »

Filming Locations:

Mexico

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Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$17,538, 3 April 1994

Gross USA:

$621,392

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$621,392
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »

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