Splice Movie Review

SPLICE: UNSETTLING

Splice is an intense and creepy horror film about what happens when you mess with science. Sarah Polley and Adrien Brody are the scientists who create “Dren”. These morally ambiguous characters manage to make these characters sympathetic and tragic. Overall it leaves a lasting impression that will make you squirm.

Elsa (Sarah Polley) and Clive (Adrien Brody) are research scientists for a pharmaceutical company. They mix animal DNA to develop proteins for drugs. They want to mix, or “splice” human and animal DNA to make even further strides in science. But they are denied this request by their employers. When they decide to do it anyways “Dren” is born. Dren (Delphine Chaneac) develops at a rapid pace. Elsa is delighted while Clive becomes weary. When things get out of control, they have to decide what to do.

Splice's story is equal parts disturbing and fascinating. The evolution that Dren goes through is an attention getter to say the least. But the events that occur will make you squirm. It borders on sleazy at times but it never gets dull. Sarah Polley as Elsa is obsessed and entranced with Dren from the moment she saves her from Clive trying to kill her. She plays her driven due to a sad childhood and then becomes borderline psychotic. She does a fine job of walking the line between good and evil. Where as Adrien Brody might as well leave a trail of slime behind him. Clive always has his own agenda. When he commits his most heinous act of the movie and is caught, the look on his face is utterly pathetic. Delphine Chaneac as Dren gives her a wonderful childlike quality that make her sympathetic and chilling. The visuals are Dren, the doom and gloom of the winter, and the sterile, cold environment of their work areas. Dren has a beautiful face but her tail (that becomes a weapon) is terrifying. Her appearance induces a feeling of wanting to protect and run from her at the same time. The opening scene when Elsa and Clive are “delivering” a specimen is creepy and sets the tone of the film.

The movie tries to deliver the message of what happens when you try to do things that nature didn't intend. The film would have been perfectly fine if it didn't take what happens to the extreme.

Splice takes its story of research scientists going where they shouldn't and not being able to go back. Its engrossing but makes you uneasy. There are no heroes here. Take the film at face value and enjoy.

Report Card:

Story-B

Acting-B

Visuals-B

Originality/Innovation-B

Enjoyability Grade–B

DVD Extras-N/A

Overall Grade-B