STORY STUDY - CRITERION WEEK - 551. “Cronos”
- Red Panda Press Team
- Apr 30, 2018
- 2 min read
It’s at this point that vampire fiction is its own subgenre. There’s so many stories told through different mediums involving vampires going through a variety of situations, from hunting to being hunted to being a superhero to just living in a quiet town in Washington (hiding their shiny bodies.)
Then, you get one of those stories that focus on the gifts that vampires have… and how they can curse you as well. Oh, and the word “vampire” is never said.
Directed and written by Guillermo del Toro, Cronos is the story of an elderly antique dealer who discovers a gold, scarab-shaped device hidden inside one of his statues he has in possession in his shop.
When he winds it, the device extends its claws, latches onto his palm, and injects an unidentified solution into him. He discovers that he is slowly becoming into his prime again, becoming younger. However, he also finds that he has a thirst for blood and a severe sensitivity to light.
Meanwhile, a rich businessman, who is fully aware of the device, having done research and searching for it, wants it for himself to regain back his own youth and gain immortality.
He sends his nephew to do the physical work in finding it. He puts up with the abuse from his uncle so that he may gain inherit his fortune.
The film is del Toro’s directorial debut, and he presents us an unconventional vampire story. There is no fighting or war (in the blockbuster sense) going on; just a drama about a man dealing with a situation.
There are times when the film slowly paced. It takes its sweet time relishing in the atmosphere that del Toro captures extremely well, presenting a fantastical situation happening in a contemporary world. However, sometimes, progressing the plot is important as well.
The inclusion of the uncle and nephew and their plot line of hunting for the device might seem tacked on, but I feel that their purpose is to show the duality of how humans would behave when having the knowledge of said device that can grant you immortality.
Del Toro has proven himself to be a unique director since then, all of which have his distinct style and world. As for Cronos, its presentation is thrilling, gory, and sometimes adorable in part to the antique dealer’s granddaughter. Any fan of this director should and probably already have watched it.
Open a box, and check it out.
