Splice Director Reflects On Its Controversial Scene & Legacy 15 Years Later

Splice director Vincenzo Natali reflects on its controversial scene and legacy 15 years later. Co-written and directed by Natali – who was previously known for Cube, Cypher, and Nothing – the sci-fi horror film from 2009 follows two genetic engineers who splice together DNA to create a human-animal hybrid creature called Dren, who they raise to disastrous results. Academy Award winners Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley lead the cast alongside Delphine Chanéac as Dren, Brandon McGibbon, Simona Maicanescu, and David Hewlett.

Now, 15 years after the film’s release, Natali reflected on Splice‘s controversial sex scene and its overall legacy in an interview with IndieWire. The director commented on Brody’s character, Clive, having sex with the creature, a controversial yet key story element that actually delayed production of the movie since Natali refused to remove the scene. The director went on to reflect on Splice‘s overall legacy. Read his full comments below:

Primarily, it was the fact Adrien Brody’s character has sex with the creature. That was a deal breaker for a lot of people. It was in the contract that the scene could not be cut because I was so fearful that it would be, even after it was finished. It was the raison d’etre of the movie to me; not just because it’s sensational but because I felt like if we’re going to tell a 21st-century retelling of Frankenstein, we need to push it into the 21st century. This was a story about life and birth — and sex was always going to be part of that equation. To dance around it would’ve been cowardly. That’s what excited me.

A lot of people didn’t know what to make of the movie. Half were disgusted by it, and invariably, the sex scene would always get a laugh from the audience — but I took that as a compliment. I think people were so uncomfortable that it was a way of releasing tension. Almost no one knew what to make of it. I don’t think people were prepared for what the film was. The baby went out into the world, found its way and established relationships. People saw the movie, and it shook or scared them in the same way that certain movies like Dawn of the Dead or Alien did for me. I find it very gratifying knowing that Dren has impregnated susceptible minds.

Splice’s Legacy Explained

It Garnered A Cult Following

Although Splice struggled to make back its $30 million budget at the box office, grossing just a tick above $27 million, it struck a chord with genre enthusiasts and left a lasting impact in the realm of body horror sci-fi cinema. Splice reviews from critics were considerably positive, praising it as a smart and well-acted flick for horror fans, even though it doesn’t fully explore its fantastic premise, resulting in a 75% on Rotten Tomatoes. However, its audience reception was much more divisive, indicated by its 37% score.

Still, Splice garnered a significant cult following of sci-fi and body horror fans. The film masterfully combines the speculative elements of sci-fi with the more visceral, unsettling nature of body horror, with Splice taking inspiration from Alien and 2001: A Space Odyssey. Its blend of genres creates a narrative that explores both the ethical implications of genetic engineering and the primal fears associated with bodily transformation and violation. Many of the ethical questions raised by Splice about genetic engineering and scientific responsibility remain relevant today in light of recent advancements in CRISPR and other genetic technologies.

For those who engage with Splice in a less cerebral and more visceral way, the Dren creature features a memorable design, echoing body-horror elements pioneered by directors like David Cronenberg. Brody and Polley also deliver compelling performances as the complex characters who create Dren. Overall, 15 years later, Splice still stands as a strong piece of sci-fi horror.

Source: IndieWire

Splice

Produced by Guillermo del Toro, Splice stars Adrian Brody and Sarah Polley as a young scientist couple who, after introducing human DNA into their work with genetic splicing, create a human-animal hybrid being called Dren, who becomes like the couple’s child. Initially positive that they can raise Dren as their daughter, the couple soon finds out that Dren’s nature is far more sinister than it seems. 

Director

Vincenzo Natali

Release Date

June 4, 2010

Studio(s)

Copperheart Entertainment , Téléfilm Canada , Gaumont

Distributor(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Writers

Vincenzo Natali , Antoinette Terry Bryant , Doug Taylor

Runtime

104 minutes

Budget

$30 million

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