Dir. Vincenzo Natali | Now Streaming On: Prime | Rating: 4/5

I’m not a sci-fi fan in the aliens and outer space type of way, so it’s surprising I enjoyed Splice as much as I did. Splice is like watching a train crash in slow motion, in the best possible way. The audience watches Elsa and Clive grow attached to Dren, all while understanding that something is not quite right. Part of us wants to sympathize with the main characters and Dren as well, but there are just too many red flags. Then in the blink of an eye, it’s all too late. ⁠
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Splice goes from uncomfortable to horrifying in a split second, with the last half hour being nauseating to watch at some points. This film features another set of del Toro monsters, these with a very uncanny anthropomorphism that will give you some pause. Will you have sleepless nights over Dren? Probably not. Will you be so deeply unsettled by the events of the last act and final scene? Most definitely. ⁠
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This film relies on some very important foreshadowing at the midway point and a twist in the last 20 minutes, so I won’t share much more. As typical of “creator vs. creation” storylines, Splice comments on the lengths we will go for power and the unshakeable love of a parent. If your jaw drop doesn’t during the last 5 minutes, bravo to you. ⁠
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Know Before You Watch: Features animal deaths, blood, death, sex, nudity, rape. ⁠