Splinter (2008)

Studio: Magnolia/Magnet Releasing

Theatrical Release Date: October 14, 2008

DVD/Blu Ray Release Date: April 14, 2009

Directed By: Toby Wilkins

Cast: Jill Wagner, Paulo Costanzo, Shea Whigham, Rachel Kerbs

Brutal As Hell Rating: 3 ½ out of 5 stars

Review By: Marc Patterson

An escaped convict and a couple on an anniversary camping trip cross paths and become trapped in a remote roadside gas station with a flesh eating parasite itching to get its way inside and feed off the humans.  With each living being it overtakes the monster mutates to become a massive hodgepodge of horror that attacks with pure survivalist rage. 

Simple in premise, but high on fun, Splinter is the kind of film you want to take home to momma.  It’s got all the old school appeal of the great splatter flicks from the 80’s, but with a slick look and well done CGI.  It’s a pulls no punches basic creature thriller that delivers on all fronts starting with a suspenseful scene where an infected and mutated woodlands creature attacks a lone gas station attendant.  This opening scene, augmented by an eerie minimalist soundtrack sets us up for the high octane action that follows in quick order.  Unlike most other genre films that spend the first half of the film setting up the story, Splinter dives right in opting to spend the majority of its short 82 minute runtime focused on building suspense in a classic siege style.  Even at times pushing the siege formula to new levels as our cast become trapped in not just the gas station, but eventually the walk in refrigerator.  But let’s not give too much away.  After all, letting this film unfold in all its bloody glory is half the fun. 

As far as the acting goes, this film managed to come in at the top of its game.  What a rare treat for a horror film!  Each of the actors parts were well cast allowing the each actor to stay within their natural range.  The effectiveness of doing this brought dimension and even hilarity to a film that clearly put audience entertainment as a priority.  I couldn’t help but get audibly frustrated at Seth (Costanzo), who was so brutally dedicated to being the most absolute fuck up he possibly could.  Contrasted against the convict Dennis (Whigham) Seth becomes even more inept, and you get the feeling that girlfriend Polly (Wagner) started to look at the convict as a real man she’d rather have.  Who would think you could effectively hint at a love triangle in the midst of such life threatening chaos?  Brilliant.

If you’re going to see one film this Halloween you have to make it Splinter.  Let’s face it, if you’ve seen one SAW flick you’ve seen them all.  Take the chance to actually have some fun in a theater for once.  Grab some friends, a big ass bag of popcorn, and get ready for one heck of a good time!

View the Trailer: