A bit niche, but I think I've discovered a reference to this film! Was playing the Rogue Trader RPG, and there's a bit where you can discover a nobleman who uses a Halo Device:
The device is described as looking like a metal scarab (which is also shown in the wiki illustration) that burrows into the user's flesh, and like vampires the users are rendered immortal but at the cost of becoming flesh-eating monsters. There's also a Lovecraftian element in the connection to unknown alien worlds, and the nobleman in the game speaks a Cthuhu-esque alien language.
The blood sucking scarab reminds me of the vampire mask in JOJO's Bizarre Adventure. I say, having not watched this movie (yet). If you like horror & bizarre, funny situations, JOJO is for you!
You might be able to find it & Chronos for free at the library.
😁 It's so good! I'm a weird fan who really enjoys the 1st & 2nd ones a lot.
Another good pure horror is Junji Ito. The Promised Neverland also has fantastic horror elements & unique world. Mononoke, an anime, also has unique art style.
It really is! A friend of mine started it after realising how few of the great horror films I'd seen. I think I previously had the wrong idea about horror - I thought it was all shock and gore. But as you say of Cronos, the good stuff is so much more than that. Perhaps better described as dark fantasy? In any case it's rich territory to explore!
I saw this when I was young and didn't know it was Del Toro's work until long after. It stuck in my memory as a unique and brilliant version of vampirism.
One of the things I love most about Del Toro is his affection for the afflicted. Whether they're vampires or other monsters, he treats them with so much humanity that it's often they who have more humanity than the humans around them. In 2025, shining the light on human-monsters and illuminating the basics of our own morality is more necessary than ever!
I forgot how much I loved this film - thanks for the reminder and for the brilliant analysis of its genius. I'm going to propose it to my horror film club and hope we have a screening soon!
I love this movie and you totally capture it's beguiling & peculiar tone: "Cronos is too heroic to be horror, too heartfelt. Like the bulk of del Toro’s work, it’s more gothic fantasy than terror tale."
Thanks! Yeah, I think because del Toro's a such a monster guy he tends to get regarded as a consummate horror-movie guy, but, for me, he's not really a scare merchant like a Wes Craven or John Carpenter.
If only! Feel like there's a Borges-type video library out there in the multiverse full of del Toro's aborted projects like The Hobbit, Mountains of Madness, and pretty sure he had something going with George Romero at one point.
I truly love this film! Have a very specific memory of renting it from a video store, watching it, and spending the remainder of the week thinking about it.
A bit niche, but I think I've discovered a reference to this film! Was playing the Rogue Trader RPG, and there's a bit where you can discover a nobleman who uses a Halo Device:
https://warhammer40k.fandom.com/wiki/Halo_Devices
The device is described as looking like a metal scarab (which is also shown in the wiki illustration) that burrows into the user's flesh, and like vampires the users are rendered immortal but at the cost of becoming flesh-eating monsters. There's also a Lovecraftian element in the connection to unknown alien worlds, and the nobleman in the game speaks a Cthuhu-esque alien language.
Haha! Couldn't possibly comment on that one. ;)
The blood sucking scarab reminds me of the vampire mask in JOJO's Bizarre Adventure. I say, having not watched this movie (yet). If you like horror & bizarre, funny situations, JOJO is for you!
You might be able to find it & Chronos for free at the library.
I've heard JoJo's brilliant! Need to check it out. Thanks, Ada.
😁 It's so good! I'm a weird fan who really enjoys the 1st & 2nd ones a lot.
Another good pure horror is Junji Ito. The Promised Neverland also has fantastic horror elements & unique world. Mononoke, an anime, also has unique art style.
Jung Ito is a flat-out genius! I wrote about him right here https://alecworley.substack.com/p/four-techniques-that-will-make-your?r=1l6e8a Just bought his biography too! Promised Neverland + Monoke both added to the list. Thanks, Ada. Saw Kwaidan years ago. Brilliant!
Correction: Mononoke is the sequel to Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales.
Oh! And Kwaidan, a movie, is also fantastic.
It really is! A friend of mine started it after realising how few of the great horror films I'd seen. I think I previously had the wrong idea about horror - I thought it was all shock and gore. But as you say of Cronos, the good stuff is so much more than that. Perhaps better described as dark fantasy? In any case it's rich territory to explore!
I saw this when I was young and didn't know it was Del Toro's work until long after. It stuck in my memory as a unique and brilliant version of vampirism.
One of the things I love most about Del Toro is his affection for the afflicted. Whether they're vampires or other monsters, he treats them with so much humanity that it's often they who have more humanity than the humans around them. In 2025, shining the light on human-monsters and illuminating the basics of our own morality is more necessary than ever!
For sure! Del Toro's empathy and generosity of spirit is such a big part of what makes his movies so great.
I forgot how much I loved this film - thanks for the reminder and for the brilliant analysis of its genius. I'm going to propose it to my horror film club and hope we have a screening soon!
Aw, man. Your horror-movie club sounds cool!
I love this movie and you totally capture it's beguiling & peculiar tone: "Cronos is too heroic to be horror, too heartfelt. Like the bulk of del Toro’s work, it’s more gothic fantasy than terror tale."
Thanks! Yeah, I think because del Toro's a such a monster guy he tends to get regarded as a consummate horror-movie guy, but, for me, he's not really a scare merchant like a Wes Craven or John Carpenter.
Such a great movie. I feel like it had to be part of the inspiration for Midnight Mass, lotta commonality there.
Not seen Midnight Mass. Need to check it out.
Its really good. Like a blend of Cronos and Salems Lot.
I first saw this at a friend's house not long after it came out on VHS. Been a fan ever since. If only he could make At The Mountains of Madness...
If only! Feel like there's a Borges-type video library out there in the multiverse full of del Toro's aborted projects like The Hobbit, Mountains of Madness, and pretty sure he had something going with George Romero at one point.
After Pan's Labyrinth, Cronos is still my second favourite of del Toro's movies. Sometimes a shoestring budget really helps.
Absolutely!
I truly love this film! Have a very specific memory of renting it from a video store, watching it, and spending the remainder of the week thinking about it.
I love it when movies do that, just sit in your head for days after as you try and figure out why they're still there. :D