What do you get when you cross a coming of age story, geeky genetic technology, and a creature film? A new generation of horror film from the writer/director who also brought us Cube, Vincenzo Natali. Splice is about two rock star geneticists who decide to cross animal DNA with human DNA to create a barn new organism. What started out as an experiment just to see if it could be done turns into a twisted story of morals and inner demons/monsters coming to surface from each of the scientists. After their lab is taken from their control and charged to concentrate on profits rather than focus on research, Clive and Elsa, played by Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley, decide to take matters in their own hands and take their research to the next level. Eventually they got what they dreamed for but created something that they couldn’t even imagine in their wildest dreams…or nightmares.
Splice is like three movies in one. You begin with a sci-fi discovery movie as you enter the N.E.R.D. lab with the scientists and see how genetics and biotechnology actually works. Then, you’re introduced to Dren (Nerd backwards) and the story quickly turns into a relationship film with strong family ties evident. You watch as Dren comes into her own as she evolves rapidly and dramatically and see how Clive and Elsa both interact with her and how their relationship with each other is affected. Throughout this process to the end of the film where it climaxes, Splice delivers a great horror aspect which will leave you with an anxious nervous feeling even after the end credits have finished rolling. It’s an incredible build up and conclusion as the movie takes you places and does things you would never expect. I can’t wait to see the public reaction after this film hits theaters. This is definitely an indie film which had to be created out of the regular movie studio environment and I’m amazed it got picked up for a major release.

Elsa (Sarah Polley) meeting Dren for the first time
Adrien Brody, Sarah Polley, and the actresses who play Dren, Delphine Chaneac and Abigail Chu, all give incredible performances which are vital to this film because it is mainly about the relationships and family elements. The casting was spot on since you had to believe that these characters could really be genius scientists and the creature had to be something completely new and familiar at the same time. Adrien Brody seemed to have a different geek t shirt in every shot which was awesome and Dren’s body movements and expressions left you wondering what exactly was going on in the mind of the creature which many films have trouble showcasing. All the cast had to be confident in what they were doing because this movie really does do some edgy things that are quite out there and controversial. Vincenzo Natali held nothing back when creating this project which took him twelve years to complete (he refers to it as his baby). There is so much symbolism and hidden messages in this movie that you can get lost in the fascination of the subject matter.

Clive (Adrien Brody) and Elsa (Sarah Polley) in Splice
I got to screen this movie at the San Francisco International Film Festival where there was Q&A session with Vincenzo Natali afterwards. He remarked that this was definitely his homage to creature films and Frankenstein. Even the lead character names, Clive and Elsa were taken from the Frankenstein films. He consulted with real geneticist while writing the script and through the development of the film to stay true to the science and keep it real. He was actually kind of shocked when he kept asking the scientists about everything he put in the film and they continued to reply that yes, these things could be done. Many other great questions were answered like the technology which was used, meanings of some of the symbolism, and the reasons some choices were made in the film but I don’t want to give away anything from this film because it truly will surprise you as you watch it and the conclusions you draw for yourself are part of the great filmmaking that Splice has to offer. So, come June 4th, go check out Splice in a theater near you or check out our list of advance screenings to see it early!
This post is part of our SFIFF coverageFounded in 1957, the San Francisco International Film Festival is the longest-running film festival in the Americas. Held each spring for two weeks, the International is an extraordinary showcase of cinematic discovery and innovation in the country’s most beautiful city, featuring some 200 films and live events with more than 100 filmmakers in attendance and nearly two dozen awards presented for cinematic excellence.
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The Losers
A Nightmare on Elm Street
Splice
Inception
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