--splice-2009----

The "2009" denotes the year of its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival (January) before its theatrical rollout in June. The "Splice" refers to the biological act of cutting DNA—ligating strands from different organisms. For director Vincenzo Natali (known for the existential cube film Cube ), the word also represents the "splicing" of cinematic tropes: Frankenstein meets E.T. , The Fly meets Ordinary People .

The film’s central thesis emerges: You cannot control what you create. No discussion of --Splice-2009---- can avoid the "pivot." In the final act, after Clive and Elsa attempt to kill Dren, the creature—now possessing a humanoid body, genitalia, and telekinetic-like intelligence—takes revenge. But Natali does not go for a simple monster rampage. Instead, Dren undergoes a sudden sex change, revealing male reproductive organs. In a moment of chaotic, transgressive horror, the male Dren assaults Clive. --Splice-2009----

By: Film Archaeology Desk