Splinter Review
Written by: BlackTequilaKiss
What is fear? The unconscious feeling of making you feel terror against normality? Taking the simple things in life and switching them to a dark matter? Is it possible there are fears that we suppress and keep hidden only for them to resurface in our moments of weakness? How can fear be described? It is all well and good that I am writing a horror review and talking of the blood, guts and cliché scares offered to viewers.
It is an altogether different feeling though to speak of the review when it comes to fear. No longer am I churning the same stuff in each review but instead I am talking about a common factor among everyone. Fear.
In the end every horror movie has its objective. To scare the audience most go for the quick and easy solution, the cheapest way around but the true horror movies get further beneath the surface and leave a shiver down our back. They take us to places we fear to go, to areas we would rather leave alone. That is a true horror movie.
This is where Splinter comes in. It has the wow factor, the necessity of blood and carnage but underneath it all it also relays a message of dread among the viewers. It gets us to ask, could this happen in our lifetime? I love horror movies that are simple, bloody but not too deep in message yet I also love thinkers like Splinter that delves into an area most horror movies refuse to go.
It was refreshing to see a movie that is dark, broody but ultimately with characters we can define, understand and draw compassion for. In the broadest sense I love this movie, all it imbues and the questions it left with me. Toby Wilkins thank you for seeing beneath horror and giving me a movie that wasn’t just scary but in essence, thought-provoking.
STORYLINE
Couple, Seth and Polly, are going camping into the wilderness when their plans are scuppered after Seth breaks the tent structure. Moving on they are eventually carjacked by an escaped convict and his emotionally unstable girlfriend. When their tyres are punctured by an animal riddled with needle-like splinters they are forced to take refuge in an abandoned gas station. Trapped inside the station and coerced against the primal forces of terror, they must fight their way out if they are to survive.
It is sweet to come across two key characters who gain my love quickly and admirably.
Like I mentioned previously it is also joyous to come across a film that taps into a fear I keep hidden from myself. Never too shy the film is open and left to the interpretation of those who watch it.
CHARACTERS & CAST
Seth played by Paulo Constanzo: I enjoyed his performance in Road Trip as a comedic actor but until this point had never seen him in a serious role. The guy has an amazing range. In a funny role he is perfect and in a serious role he is fantastic. Bringing his own to the movie he adds a dimension to the character that is wonderful to watch.
It is beautiful to see his transgression from a boyfriend to afraid to fight to a man forced to stand up against the darkness. He does the role proud and deftly. Respect to an actor who can pull apart the definition of a character and turn it to his advantage. Classy.
Polly played by Jill Wagner: Sassy lady. There were defining moments as her character, Polly when she had to show a vulnerability towards a relatively tough character. Moments when she is pushed to her limits and as to show her acting abilities and damn she does this finely. I loved the role of Polly and the performance she gives. Strong-headed yet fragile she is a wonderful actress to watch and shone, quite rightly, in this.
Gorgeous.
Dennis played Shea Wigham: Respect! I’m not one to be astonished but the calibre of his acting is hard not to notice. To play a character that brims on complete cruelty made it so I originally loathed him in the movie. The credit of this actor goes to the fact that during the course of the movie he begins to change projective and starts to ultimately gain compassion. To go from hating to loving a character is not normal for me and he managed the impossible.
I have so much admiration for an actor that can change portrayal and change my outlook on them, therefore it was more even more defining what happens at the end. Your heart aching for him. Whigham, you were stunning, thank you.
SPECIAL EFFECTS, MUSIC & CINEMATOGRAPHY
Special F/X-
Credit where credit is due, the special effects were fantastic. It actually didn’t look bad at all but convincing and well thought out. Looking as natural as ever it played a dominant part in the movie without ever looking beyond the pale or over-the-top. Refreshingly genuine, the passion behind the creation is evident in the look and feel of ‘Splinter’ and everything merged together wonderfully. This was a fantastic tribute to the entire of the movie.
Music-
Nicely composed, that’s it . It paced the movie along, had an eerie; tainted feel and more than once raised goose bumps up and down my arms. Creepy and intense the music provides the backbone to the movie and it was splendid.
Cinematography-
Sweet surrender I give in, this just stuns me.
Ok that’s better. Sunset at the first shocking moments emulates a beautiful tone and doesn’t let go of the tender moment as the oohs and ahhs, grimaces and face contortions begin. Then as night sets in during the later scenes, the grit and darkness against unnatural light just added an all round resonance. Everything was crisp in colour from the green of the grass to the black and white grain of the gas station later on are just beautiful shots that take no pleasure away from the movie.
Toby Wilkins created a movie that is a merge of two cinema horror classics, watch it and you will see, but is a film in its own right. The right cast, music, special effects and determination, this is movie that breaks boundaries and makes us tremble in terror and love.
I asked at the beginning what is fear? I still cannot answer. Because me and all of you know there is not a simple answer. Each person is to their own in answering this question. But at the end of the day fear is something we each comprise of. We push ourselves to prove we are brave, we dig our heels in hard and we go beyond the line. Fear is what we make it and it has no simple truth, think what you may but this movie uses the element of fear well and proves no one mind is ever alike. It also makes you think beneath the surface. When the ending shot comes into focus questions come to fore and you are made to wonder. Could it be? This was a thought-provoking exercise in terror that needs to be seen to understand its merit.
This is beauty in purest form. Stunningly beautiful and sensual too. Gorgeous.