Cronos

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Cronos

R

Released Sep 12, 1993

1h 32m

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

61 Reviews

69%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Antique dealer Jesus Gris (Federico Luppi) stumbles across Cronos, a 400-year-old scarab that, when it latches onto him, grants him youth and eternal life -- but also a thirst for blood. As Jesus enjoys his newfound vitality, he's unaware that a dying old man, Dieter de la Guardia (Claudio Brook), has sent his nephew, Angel (Ron Perlman), to find the scarab and bring it back to him. But Jesus will not give immortality up easily, even risking the life of his orphan granddaughter (Tamara Shanath).

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Critics Consensus

Guillermo del Toro's unique feature debut is not only gory and stylish, but also charming and intelligent.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Cronos gallops on, in its peculiar way, to a conclusion that is weird without being especially shocking. But it certainly has a distinctive authorial signature, the work of a very individual film-maker.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 19, 2025

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Steven Rea

Philadelphia Inquirer

Guillermo del Toro's feature debut is an arch twist on the vampire tale.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 5, 2013

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Kenneth Turan

Los Angeles Times

Cronos surprises with its sophisticated and spirited look at a tale straight from the crypt.

Oct 5, 2013

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Jeff Beck

The Blu Spot

It's hardly a bad effort, for it certainly shows us a glimmer of the greatness to come in [Del Toro's] later films, with their wild designs and stronger narratives, but Cronos really ended up being a kind of stepping stone for him to get there.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 24, 2025

Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

…Cronos is the kind of beautifully achieved film that should be shown to anyone about to start work on their first feature; it’s not so high-concept or expensive to realise, but it’s wildly imaginative and could only come from Gullermo del Toro…

Rated: 5/5

Feb 24, 2025

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

A trippy Mexican import.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 22, 2025

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Jo J

I love this film. I've seen it several times and am going to watch it again. Ron Perlman is great in it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/21/24

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Mario M

Muy buena pelicula, la primer opera prima de Guillermo del Toro, excelente!!!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/27/23

Full Review

William D

Even though the film starts well, it collapses during the second half. It morphs into a predictable narrative that doesn't offer any interesting idea. I have the feeling it would have worked so much better as a short film. Ron Pearlman's performance doesn't help either.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

07/04/23

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Bill T

Guillermo del Toro's absolutely crazy debut finds an old antique dealer in possession of a strange spider-like device, that, when activiated, gives the gift of eternal life! Pretty awesome premise combined with just the total dedication of it's lead actor, Federico Tippi, in a part that is made for you to care about this aged old man at first, and then marvel at all this weird stuff he does in the movie. It's truly wild, and a must see for anyone interested in vampire movies.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/05/23

Full Review

s r

Started with promise, but it fell apart with the oddities surrounding the cronos device and its effects on its users. Very bizarre, culturally different and a bit cheaply done towards the end. Saw on TCM.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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georgan g

An alternative to the standard vampire flicks. Clever & philosophical with del Toro's (now, well-known) colorful & eye-catching cinematography.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Guillermo del Toro

Director

Federico Luppi

Jesús Gris

Ron Perlman

Angel de la Guardian

Claudio Brook

Dieter de la Guardian

Margarita Isabel

Mercedes Gris

Tamara Shanath

Aurora Gris

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Synopsis

Antique dealer Jesus Gris (Federico Luppi) stumbles across Cronos, a 400-year-old scarab that, when it latches onto him, grants him youth and eternal life -- but also a thirst for blood. As Jesus enjoys his newfound vitality, he's unaware that a dying old man, Dieter de la Guardia (Claudio Brook), has sent his nephew, Angel (Ron Perlman), to find the scarab and bring it back to him. But Jesus will not give immortality up easily, even risking the life of his orphan granddaughter (Tamara Shanath).

Director: Guillermo del Toro
Producer: Arthur Gorson, Bertha Navarro
Screenwriter: Guillermo del Toro
Distributor: October Films
Production Co: Ventana Films
Rating: R
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 12, 1993, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 2, 2017
Runtime: 1h 32m
Sound Mix: Stereo

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