When antiques dealer Jesús Gris (Federico Luppi) discovers an ancient artefact in the form of a golden mechanical scarab, he is unaware of the power it holds.

While the parasite inside the device grants eternal life to its new host, it also causes an extreme aversion to daylight and an unquenchable thirst for human blood. Desperate to claim the scarab for himself, a dying millionaire (Claudio Brook) and his brutish nephew (Ron Perlman) are soon in hot pursuit.

Released in 1992, del Toro’s take on the vampire movie has become regarded as one of the most important Mexican films, and horror films, of all time. Starring Federico Luppi and Ron Perlman (who both went on to become regular cast members in del Toro’s films), Cronos won nine Ariel awards in Mexico and the Cannes Critics Week Grand Prize.