30 Years Later, Guillermo del Toro's Debut Horror Film Is the Most Unhinged Flick on Max
Yes, Pan's Labyrinth and Crimson Peak are great, but have you seen del Toro' s very first horror movie?
Magical realism, fantasy, science fiction, gothic, horror, multimillion-dollar blockbusters – Guillermo del Toro has excelled in all of them. The monsters created by the master of dark fairy tales are unforgettable – be it the Kaiju from Pacific Rim or the Pale Man from Pan's Labyrinth.
But del Toro doesn't just try to scare. Monsters, ghosts, and other supernatural creatures in his films are metaphors for the human experience, and each story has a profound humanist message.
And one of such films is Cronos – del Toro's debut shot in Mexico. The director went into debt for it, even mortgaging his house. Special effects were handled by Necropia, a studio he founded from scratch.
Del Toro spent ten long years developing this brainchild, after studying makeup with the great Dick Smith, who was responsible for the makeup on The Exorcist. The horror film did not become a box office sensation, but it did well at the festivals and received rave reviews from both critics and viewers.
What is Cronos About?
An ancient artifact with a winding mechanism falls into the hands of an elderly antiquarian, Jesús Gris. Experimenting with it, the old man discovers that the device is capable of restoring his youth.
However, he will have to pay for the gift of fate – Jesús develops an irresistible thirst for blood. As a righteous Catholic, he experiences genuine horror at his new desires, but the temptation to live forever is too great.
_35023.webp)
Turning an elderly character into a vampire is a surprising move in itself, but del Toro goes even further. His character combines a touching love for his granddaughter with a diabolical thirst for death. And yes, if you saw Jesús licking blood from the floor, you are unlikely to forget this scene.
Cronos is Reminiscent of Lovecraftian Horror Movies
Cronos is a work in the spirit of Lovecraftian stories, old-school low-budget horror and classic gothic novels.
A device that grants immortality, greedy people desperately fighting against the merciless time, alchemy – this movie is composed of details familiar to any fan of the genre, but in del Toro's hands, these elements come together to form a dark, magical story about the inevitability of death.
More than the master's other films, his debut is more like a creepy campfire horror story – and it is in this naivety that Cronos derives much of its charm.
Where to Stream Cronos?
Cronos is available to watch on Max and Apple TV.