With the prevalence of torture porn (no, I’m not afraid to use that term and yes, I think it’s accurate) movies like the Saw and Hostel films over the last couple of years, I’m more than ready for a new kind of horror movie experience and it looks like Splice might be just the thing the doctor ordered (pun intended as you will see shortly).
Splice is being produced by Guillermo del Toro and directed by Vincenzo Natali. You’ve probably heard of del Toro: His past films include Mimic, Blade II, Hellboy and the critically acclaimed horror/fairy tale for grownups Pan’s Labyrinth (which reminds me, I need to add that last one to my rental list). Who is Natali? His most famous movie as far as American audiences are concerned would be the most excellent sci-fi/horror film Cube.
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Before I get to more about the movie, be aware that a couple of the images below probably fall under the category of “NSFW” or “Not Safe For Work” due to some female nudity. You should also be aware that they are quite creepy and you might even consider them a bit disturbing, so you’re been warned and click on them at your own risk.
The story revolves around a couple of geneticists (played by Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley) who decide to throw ethics out the window and experiment with splicing together the genes of a human with that of animals. They illegally create a hybrid (pictured below) and try to hide her from the world. As you can no doubt guess, they probably don’t succeed.
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Director Vincenzo Natali says that the film is:
“…about finding humanity in the monster and… the monsters that lurk within humanity.”
The story and images give off a definite David Cronenberg vibe. Some of the most horrifying images are those of people who are disfigured in some way and it looks like this movie will tap into that primal aspect of our minds. Much like H.R. Giger’s work, sometimes the most effective use of this is to combine extreme beauty with some odd mutation… it pulls at both sides of the brain, both attracting a repelling us at the same time.
If the script is decent and this is done well, it could be a VERY effective sci-fi/horror movie.
There’s no solid release date for this yet, but they’re aiming for some time in 2009.
Source (images and story): AICN
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33 Comments
Really liking the sounds of this flick.
-Toro had created some awesome films.
-I thought the Cube was good(disspointed by the ending.)
-Images look great, I like looking from the neck downwards
-Always enjoyed Brody’s acting.
Looking forward to this!
Delightfully creepy, I’m gonna keep both eyes out for this one.
Vic
I’m hoping this rocks. I love the story of a human mutating into something, like the Fly or even the over-the-top Fly 2. Count me in! (Btw, the 1996 Island of Dr. Moreau SUCKED.)
heath
Natali is a genius film maker - just look at his other films if you need reassurance of that (particularly “Nothing”). He’s sadly underrated. I’ve been on board since the first whispers that this was coming and these photos only support my initial thought that this sounded fantastic.
Shoot. Nearly forgot to add that it’s no surprise that this is reminiscent of Cronenberg - it features the same underlying theme of the effects of technology on humanity.
http://blogs.suntimes.com/scanners/2007/11/written_in_the_flesh_a_crash_c.html
Vic
Love the look of the female, very creepy and unique. I’m a big horror lover! Never heard of “Cube” but love “Pan’s Labyrinth”, great story. Trust anything horror that Torro has his hands in.
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Adrian - you may want to check out THE ORPHANAGE when it comes out. It definitely has Del Toro’s fingerprints on it, and an exciting new director out of Spain at the Helm. Nice.
Vic
Splice looks excellent but don’t forget that a story driven horror movie is soon upon us….
….The Mist!
Vic
Well that’s good but it does not sound like you are going in with an open mind.
However I’m not close minded, either.
Vic
Thanks Kurt, do you know when THE ORPHANAGE maybe showing?
Commenting on the Mist: the story is great, BUT if the cgi isn’t believable or carries any ‘terror factor’ then I believe the movie will fall flat.
The Orphanage gets a limited release, by the same company who released Pan’s Labyrinth, just after Christmas (Dec. 28) - Don’t know how wide it will expand, but it really should. It’s good and accessible, a nice combo for a wider release of a subtitled film.
As for the Mist. I’m not a big Darabont fan. From what I’ve seen, the production looks like ass. I remain skeptical, and good word of mouth (or a slow weekend) may get me into the theatre.
Thanks Kurt for the info, and I agree with the skeptisim on “The Mist”.
I saw the pictures before reading the article and thought that this was going to be spicing allien genes with human. Animal/human gene splicing has been done in the movies before: the abysmal Island of Dr. Moreau. The pictures look great and the director is known for cutting edge films, so hopefully it will work.
Thanks for the link to the Cronenberg video essay. Very nice.
As for “The Mist” - I still argue that they messed up anything good they had going with the trailer by introducing the giant freakin’ bugs. At least they’ve made it known that I should probably stay well away from this.
Not a Darabont fan? Wow. Two excellent movies, one near number 1 all time - Shawshank of course.
Marina - you lost me with the bugs comment.
They are in the story, its not something that has been added on a whim. The trailer reflects the book quite accurately. Quite expected actually, considering how closely Darabont stuck to the source material for Shawshank and The Green Mile.
Vic
Lou, I’ve never read the story so I didn’t know they were in there to begin with but I still don’t have to like them.
Just because they’re in the original source material doesn’t mean they belong in a cinematic adaptation and it really cuts the tension in the trailer to see these huge “Eight Legged Freaks” type things hitting the glass of the grocery store. I think it would be more effective if they never showed us what was out there.
Just my 2 cents.
Vic
Yes there are good things about the Shawshank Redemption, it’s a good film. But this level of ‘greatness’ as in #2 or so on the IMDb is way out of wack. The Shawshank likely wouldn’t even be in my top 250, let alone my top 10. Different tastes.
Vic et al - Darabont is going for a retro ie 50s Monster Movie look with the creatures so if that’s an issue you may not be able to get around it.
I have found over the years judging CGI/SFX quality from trailers a waste of time. Waiting for the actual movie is the only way to make a true assessment.
Kurt - totally. Movie tastes are totally subjective and vary from individual to individual. For me, Shawshank is my favourite movie. Whenever I get into a prolonged funk, popping in Shawshank is the infallible antidote to making me feel good again. Its food for the soul.
Heh. Whenever I’m in a funk I pop in a David Mamet film. Cheers.
Kurt - Mamet eh? His work is amazing but it never leave me pumped up. Cheers back at ya!
Marina - no problem. In some ways that approach would be cool but unfortunately in today’s world the audience expects to see the goods. Also King, who self-admittedly is not concerned with being subtle, wrote The Mist as a fond tribute to the 50’s monster movies he grew up with.
Let me reiterate that the monsters outside the store pale to the ones inside the store. Don’t let some creepy crawlies keep you away from this excellent story.
Cheers everyone!
I agree with the ‘torture porn’ comment on Saw etc. The increasing use of blood and gore in horror films is indicative of filmmakers inability to utilize the most terrifying of all things, our imagination. Having made my own film Underworld (which can be seen free at my site ironmountainmovies.com) on a relatively low budget I had to leave a lot of the horror to my audiences imagination and according to critics I was fairly successful and got a cinema release. Judge for yourself, pop over and view it for free.
Ronan Gallagher
Writer/Director
Underworld
http://www.ironmountainmovies.com
Is it at all weird that I think she’s kinda cute? ._.
Vic
That it has. O_o
Anyway, I’m glad that this isn’t being done by people in bulky, unconvincing suits (The Fly) and actually utilizing the full potential of modern day cgi. I mean these look like photos which is really freaky.
What's your opinion? Leave a comment!