In 1535, an alchemist builds an extraordinary mechanism encapsulated into a small golden device. The invention, designed to convey eternal life to its owner, survives its maker until 1997 when it shows up to an antiquarian. Fascinated with the strange device, Gris (Luppi) doesn’t note that there’s more than one person looking for it. The promise of eternal life has become an obsession to old and sick Mr. De la Guardia (Brook). He and his nephew (Perlman) will do anything to get the “Chronos Invention”.

Cronos (1993)
  • Rating: (9,465 votes)
  • Runtime:94 minutes
  • Director: Guillermo del Toro
  • Country:Mexico
  • Actors:
    Jesus Gris
    Federico Luppi
    Angel de la Guardia
    Ron Perlman
    De la Guardia
    Claudio Brook
    Mercedes
    Margarita Isabel
    Aurora
    Tamara Shanath
    Tito
    Daniel Giménez Cacho
    Alchemist
    Mario Iván Martínez
    Manuelito
    Farnesio de Bernal
    Funeral Director
    Juan Carlos Colombo
    Narrator (voice)
    Jorge Martínez de Hoyos
  • Genre:Horror
  • Producers:
    Rafael Cruz
    associate producer  
    Arthur Gorson
    producer  
    Francisco Murguía
    co-producer  
    Bertha Navarro
    producer  
    Bernard L. Nussbaumer
    co-producer  
    Julio Solórzano Foppa
    associate producer  
    Alejandro Springall
    co-producer  
    Jorge Sánchez
    associate producer  
  • Plots: In 1535, an alchemist builds an extraordinary mechanism encapsulated into a small golden device. The invention, designed to convey eternal life to its owner, survives its maker until 1997, when it shows up with an antiques dealer. Fascinated with the strange device, Gris (Luppi) doesn't note that there's more than one person looking for it. The promise of eternal life has become an obsession for old and sick Mr. De la Guardia (Brook). He and his nephew (Perlman) will do anything to get the Chronos Invention. Written by Maximiliano Maza <mmaza@campus.mty.itesm.mx>
Cronos
  • User's comment:An interesting, original and engaging retelling of a classic story! by The_Void

    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.


  • Quotes: Jesus Gris: I am Jesus... Gris... Jesus Gris... Jesus Gris. Aurora Gris: Grandfather. Jesus Gris: He thinks it will help him live longer.
  • Also known as: Cronos (France), Cronos (Greece - festival title), Cronos (Spain), Chronos ( - undefined), La invención de Cronos ( - undefined),

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