Splice is a rare film, which is both thought-provoking and disturbing. The story follows a similar arc to Bride of Frankenstein as two ambitious scientists, working on groundbreaking new research in the field of splicing organisms' DNA to create hybrids for medicinal benefits, decide to push on in secret when they include human DNA in their tests and spawn a partly human creature. The parallels are quite obvious as Clive (Brody) and Elsa (Polley) essentially become parents to a creature called DREN.
The film combines elements of the horror, science-fiction and thriller genres to convey a drama, which could easily be set on stage. The rebellious scientists are forced to hide DREN, nurture the hybrid and teach the creature to be more human. The ethical dilemna of all this humanisation and 'playing God' are its core focus as each character's motives are explored. Clive is the reluctant voice of reason, who keeps second guessing himself and never fully committing to the project. However, his gentle cautionary notes are no match for Elsa, whose obsessive drive toward motherhood is too powerful to withstand.
Their relationship is tested as DREN is wedged between them, a dark little secret that could change history, an adopted problem child. The film moves from the confines of a laboratory to a barn in the countryside. The hybrid is partly human, which makes their clinical decisions blurry and it's not long before their creation grows out of control. The uncertainty of DREN's status of being human or not creates a sustained tension as the creature adopts human traits, while displaying animal tendencies. This tension heightens as each human tries to make sense of their situation and establish some kind of relationship with the hybrid. As DREN matures, "she" develops language skills and exhibits human intelligence, sexual drive, all the while masking her wild side.
Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley are convincing as the scientist couple, who unwittingly become parents. Splice relies on its characters and a taut atmosphere to drive the story and Delphine Chaneac, delivers a performance worthy of Andy Serkis's Gollum or Pan's Labyrinth in giving life to DREN. The CGI is true-to-form as hybrid creations make way for DREN's evolution and the transformation is believable.
Splice holds a dark, creepy and slimey hold on its audience. The fascination with DREN, the deteriorating relationship between Clive and Elsa... there's a morbid curiousity in all the goings on. Writer-director Vincenzo Natali (Cube, Ginger Snaps) takes the inquisitive spirit of science and injects the film with a sense of riskiness, an allure of the unknown and a desire to understand the true nature of humanity. The film sets off on a journey of discovery for the good of science and leaves with a sting.
The bottom line: Creepy.
