Splice (2009)

Vicenzo Natali's latest film continues to mark him out as an interesting, and unique voice is the world of relatively low budget but high concept film making. I remembering enjoying elements of Cube when it came out, more from the novelty than anything else, but I have a real fondness for Cypher, his little seen techno thriller (which you should definitely check out if you haven't seen it, the less you know the better) but it is clear from the start that Splice is a distinct step up in terms of ambition.
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Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley play a couple of rock star scientists, pushing the cutting edge of gene splicing technology. When they are cut loose from their current funding they begin a series of dangerous and illegal experiments, the result of which is a human / animal hybrid called Dren. What makes the film so interesting is the way it plays with conventions and ideas, it is not afraid to delve into areas others might shy away from. The focus on sexuality that is hinted at throughout feels truly transgressive in a way that is always uncomfortable and yet never cheap. The film straddles a few of these contrasting areas, in terms of tone it can veer from drama, to horror to dark dark comedy whilst retaining its own twisted identity throughout. It was a shame then that the ending fell victim to reverting to genre conventions, it is an inevitable conclusion but feels a little too rote for a film of this ambition.
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Key to the film's success though is the realisation of Dren as a character. Played (as an adult) by French actress Delphine Chanéac she is subtly enhanced through CG to create a truly original and unearthly looking creation. The presence of a real actor on set is vital here and Dren never suffers from being an obvious CGI creation in the way that often takes away from other films. Truly she creates a memorable persona out of this creature, and the way her relationship develops with both Brody and Polley is the heart of the film and what makes it work, through situations that could have been laughable in less capable hands.
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Overall Splice is the sort of film I am glad exists and would like to see more of, it is clearly the vision of someone with something to say and a unique vision and its execution credits this. It also manages to be a solidly entertaining and disturbing horror film of sorts, whilst chewing over some serious subject matter, no mean feat and one that should be applauded.