Splice (2009)
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A scientific couple faces harrowing consequences after creating a human-animal hybrid through illegal genetic engineering.
The story
Genetic engineers Clive Nicoli and Elsa Kast work at the company N.E.R.D., where they successfully create hybrid creatures for medical use. Despite being ordered by their superiors to focus only on extracting proteins from these creatures, the couple secretly decides to experiment with human DNA. They successfully create a viable hybrid, a girl they name Dren. As Dren grows and develops human-like traits, the couple must navigate the ethical and physical complications of their creation while keeping the existence of the hybrid a secret from their employers and the outside world.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Clive and Elsa, genetic engineers at N.E.R.D., secretly create a human-animal hybrid named Dren after their superiors forbid the use of human DNA. Dren grows rapidly, exhibiting both animalistic and human traits. While the couple tries to hide her, they become increasingly involved in her care. A conflict arises when Clive discovers that the human DNA used for Dren was actually Elsa's. After a series of incidents, including Dren's violent outbursts and a sexual encounter between Clive and Dren, the couple decides to terminate her. They find her seemingly dead, but she undergoes a violent metamorphosis into a male creature, attacking and killing their colleagues. Elsa eventually kills the creature. In the aftermath, Elsa is offered a large sum of money by the company to continue her pregnancy, which she accepts.
- First release year
- 2009
- Runtime (minutes)
- 104
- Production countries
- Canada
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Vincenzo Natali
- Writers
- Vincenzo Natali · screenplay; Antoinette Terry Bryant · screenplay; Doug Taylor · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Adrien Brody · Clive Nicoli; Sarah Polley · Elsa Kast; Delphine Chanéac · Dren; Abigail Chu · Child Dren; Brandon McGibbon · Gavin Nicoli; Simona Maicanescu · Joan Chorot; David Hewlett · William Barlow
- Genres
- science fiction; horror
- Themes
- bioethics; corporate-sponsored science; genetic engineering
- Tone and mood
- serious; emotional; disturbing
- Setting
- A research facility and an isolated farm.
- Premise and plot tags
- genetic engineering; human-animal hybrid; monster movie
- Reception
- The film received generally positive reviews from critics.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 66 · scale: 100 · review count: 35
- Production trivia
- The script was originally intended to follow up the film Cube (1997).; The film was intended to be a 'serious' and 'emotional' film.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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