Cronos (1993)

Directed by Guillermo del Toro. Starring Federico Luppi, Ron Perlman, Claudio Brook, Tamara Shanath, Margarita Isabel, Daniel Giménez Cacho, Mario Iván Martínez, (voice) Jorge Martínez de Hoyos. [R]

An unusual but fascinating horror film, del Toro’s directorial debut, as poignant as it is horrific. A kindly, old antiques dealer (Luppi) discovers an ornate mechanical device, shaped like a scarab, which can attach itself to the skin and transform the bearer into an immortal creature that thirsts for blood, an addiction that the victim can’t shake. Meanwhile, a wealthy businessman on death’s door (Brook) and his boorish ruffian of a nephew (Perlman) want the device for themselves, even willing to kill or die for it. Has the thrills and blood-and-guts to satisfy the genre faithful, exhibited through the stately intelligence and ponderous atmospherics of the arthouse. Though the yarn is spun on the level of fable (as most of del Toro’s films are), there still is a shortage of character identity—particularly Luppi‘s symbol-of-innocence granddaughter (Shanath)—and the narrative never fully coheres beyond a series of vivid images and off-kilter concepts bathing in Gothic ambience. Required viewing for those who enjoy modern vampire stories and the director’s imaginative work; all others can proceed with more caution. Won 9 Ariel Awards (Mexican Academy Awards) including Best Film.

76/100