Adrian Brody and Sarah Polley star as Clive Nicoli and Elsa Kast,
a pair of genetic engineers and lovers who are on the forefront in the newly
emerging field of splicing DNA from different animals in order to create new life
forms. Their first creations are a pair of slug-like creatures known as Fred and
Ginger, named after the singing and dancing silver screen duo of the 1930s. With
this new field, the possibilities for finding cures for such diseases as
diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer’s are endless. Yet the company that Clive and Elsa
work for don’t really care to cross that boundary--they’re more than happy with
the vast research prospects (which they hope will lead to vast profits) that
Fred and Ginger will provide and plan to suspend Clive and Elsa’s work.
With their dream slowly slipping away, Clive and Elsa boldly plan an experiment
that uses human DNA in the equation. They don’t plan to bring it to full term,
like with Fred and Ginger, but to destroy it after a certain point once they’re
assured that they can achieve their lofty goals. But they soon realize that their
new forbidden experiment has a mind, and a will, all of its own. Splice is a
refreshing blend of horror and science fiction that fondly recalls the early
films in director David Cronenberg’s career, where science runs amok, and those who dare
to cross the threshold of rationality must pay a high personal price.
Polley and Brody are both superb as the lead characters; their brave performances
(neither of them are afraid of portraying their flawed characters, warts and all) keep us firmly on
their side, no matter how bizarre things get. And Delphine Chaneac is a standout
here as Dren, the alluring creature who emerges from their misbegotten science
experiment. Chaneac does a great job at keeping her otherworldly character
sympathetic, while still remaining unnervingly inhuman. Vincenzo Natali, who
directed the original Cube, helms this with a steady hand and plenty of
references to classic films with a similar science-gone-wild theme (the names
of the main characters, Clive and Elsa, are a nod to Colin Clive and Elsa
Manchester, who starred in The Bride of Frankenstein).
David Hewlett is also very good here as Barlow, the willy-nilly manager of the lab. But science
fiction and horror fans who’re expecting a predictable chiller filled with
cheesy effects should be warned. Splice aims much higher than the usual B-movie
thriller, and it hits its mark admirably. This film tries to engage the mind by
using fully drawn, three dimensional characters who are imperfect but completely
human--and this even includes Dren. Splice is a fascinating, absorbing story that
will leave you thinking about its concepts and ideas--as chilling and unsettling
as they may be--for days after you’ve seen it.
--SF
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