Splice

Director: Vincenzo Natali Vincenzo Natali

Overview

Celebrated genetic engineers Clive (Adrien Brody) and Elsa (Sarah Polley) conduct a clandestine experiment to create an animal/human hybrid that could revolutionize modern medicine -- if it doesn't destroy humanity first. On the heels of engineering an entirely new species of animal, Clive and Elsa become the toast of the scientific community. Their experiment begins to spiral out of control, however, when the superstar scientists introduce human DNA into the equation. When Dren is born, Clive and Elsa welcome her into the world as the next leap in human evolution. Now, the faster Dren evolves, the more her creators start to realize they may have made a catastrophic mistake.

Product Details

Release Date:	10/05/2010
UPC:	0883929142156
Original Release:	2010
Rating:	R
Source:	Warner Home Video
Region Code:	1
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	1:44:00
Sales rank:	32,394

Special Features

A Director's Playground: Vincenzo Natali on the Set of Splice; Zoom in on the Innovative Filmmaker of the Global Cult Sensation Cube As He and His Creative Team Explore New Moviemaking Territory

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Adrien Brody	Clive Nicoli
Sarah Polley	Elsa Kast
Delphine Chanéac	Dren
David Hewlett	William Barlow
Brandon McGibbon	Gavin Nicoli
Simona Maicanescu	Joan Chorot
Abigail Chu	Child Dren
Vincenzo Natali	Actor
Cyrille Aufort	Actor,Composer
Joseph Boccia	Actor
Sébastien Ariaux	Actor
Yves Chevalier	Actor
Antoinette Terry Bryant	Actor
Bernard Bats	Actor
Guillermo del Toro	Actor
Doug Taylor	Actor
Sidonie Dumas	Actor
Steven Hoban	Actor
Steve Copley	Actor
Susan Montford	Actor
Christophe Riandee	Actor
Joel Silver	Actor
Delphine Chaneac	Actor

Technical Credits

Vincenzo Natali

Antoinette Terry Bryant

Doug Taylor

Vincenzo Natali	Director,Screenwriter
Antoinette Terry Bryant	Screenwriter
Steven Hoban	Producer
Yves Chevalier	Executive Producer
Guillermo del Toro	Executive Producer
Susan Montford	Executive Producer
Franck Chorot	Executive Producer
Don Murphy	Executive Producer
Christophe Riandee	Executive Producer
Joel Silver	Executive Producer
Sidonie Dumas	Executive Producer
John Buchan	Casting
John Papsidera	Casting
Constance Demontoy	Casting
Danny White	Special Effects
Plato Fountidakis	Stunts
Paul Rapovski	Stunts
Doug Taylor	Screenwriter
Jason Knight	Casting
Bernard Bats	Sound Mixer
Joel Rangon	Sound Mixer

Editorial Reviews

It seems fitting that just a few weeks after it was disclosed that humankind has successfully synthesized DNA, a nightmare version of this scientific breakthrough is unleashed on audiences in Vincenzo Natali's Splice. Equally thought-provoking and horrific in its imagery and the ripped-from-the-headlines subject matter, the picture is smart sci-fi that's not afraid to flirt with taboos while still existing enough on a B-movie playing field to satisfy the genre crowd. There's no doubt that some will dismiss it as another Species-style sci-fi B-movie, yet those who seek it out will find that there's more to this monster yarn than just the sex horror parallels. The tale is told through the eyes of Clive (Adrien Brody) and Elsa (Sarah Polley), two genetic engineers whose work is unparalleled in their field. After successfully making a new slug-like organism, the couple secretly defies the orders of their superiors in order to take genetic modification to the next level -- by making a hybrid human/animal synthetic being. The result of their haphazard experiment is Dren, a female humanoid whose staggeringly fast growth rate puts the scientists in the curious position of having to nurture this mutation as if it were their own child. Neither is prepared, however, for what happens when this innocent creature matures and lays waste to what they thought were their moral boundaries. Just as executive producer Guillermo del Toro finds exquisiteness in even the darkest of places, so does Natali present his all-too-real genetic creation as a radiant beauty whose vulnerability tests the sympathies of its audience just as much as its lead characters. The director, who hit the scene in 1997 with the low-budget shocker Cube, proves to be quite a visual virtuoso with this production. His adept usage of photorealistic effects sells Dren in such a way that many will forget just how much artistry was needed to bring her to life. The filmmaker is also given points for not shying away from some of the more illicit imagery, which the picture delivers with gusto. The two leads do a fine job with the material. The characters are fleshed out just enough for genre standards, but become more interesting as the film goes on, with each one shifting allegiance to the grave mistake they've unleashed on the world. One plot thread dealing with Elsa's backstory could have very well been larger in a different cut (the version shown at Sundance featured a longer running time), but in its own way, it's refreshing not to have it interfere with the final product. Special nods go out to Delphine Chanéac for her portrayal of Dren, whose arresting performance gives a unique spin on the Frankenstein mythos. Splice doesn't change the face of horror, nor does it usher in a new technology unknown to viewers, yet it is definitely a picture that's hard to forget. And despite some of its brainy underlying themes, it knows what gears it needs to hit to leave a monster-movie fan thoroughly weirded out and entertained.