Splice Ending Explained
TL;DR:
The ending of Splice (2009) is a dark and unsettling conclusion to the story of two scientists, Clive and Elsa, who create a human-animal hybrid named Dren. After Dren matures into a dangerous, rapidly evolving creature, she kills Clive and rapes Elsa before being murdered by Elsa. In a shocking twist, Elsa discovers she is pregnant with Dren's child, implying the cycle of unnatural creation will continue. The film ends on a horrifying note, questioning the ethics of genetic experimentation and the consequences of playing god.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending
The climax of Splice is a brutal and tragic culmination of Clive and Elsa's reckless scientific ambition. After raising Dren-a rapidly evolving hybrid of human and animal DNA-the couple loses control as she becomes increasingly aggressive and sexually mature. The final act sees Dren fully transforming into a malevolent, winged creature. In a horrifying sequence, she kills Clive by stabbing him with her venomous tail and then rapes Elsa while in her male form. This act is both a violation and a perverse continuation of Elsa's own unethical experiments, blurring the lines between creator and victim.
After the assault, Elsa, in a desperate act of self-defense, beats Dren to death with a rock. However, the film's final twist reveals that Elsa is now pregnant with Dren's offspring. This revelation is deeply unsettling, suggesting that the consequences of their genetic tampering are far from over. The pregnancy implies that Dren's species could propagate, leading to an uncontrollable new form of life. The ending leaves the audience with a sense of dread, as Elsa-who once saw herself as a mother figure to Dren-now carries the next stage of this unnatural evolution.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers
- What will happen to Elsa's hybrid child?
- Possibility 1: The child could be even more dangerous than Dren, leading to a new wave of destruction.
- Possibility 2: Elsa may attempt to control or study the child, repeating her past mistakes.
- Was Dren's violent behavior inevitable, or was it a result of poor parenting?
- Possibility 1: Her hybrid nature made her inherently unstable.
- Possibility 2: Elsa's emotional neglect and Clive's fear exacerbated Dren's aggression.
- Will the scientific corporation (N.E.R.D.) cover up the incident or exploit the new hybrid?
- Possibility 1: They may try to weaponize Dren's offspring.
- Possibility 2: The events could be buried to avoid scandal.
Personal Opinion on the Ending & Film
Splice is a deeply disturbing but thought-provoking film that explores the ethical boundaries of genetic engineering. The ending is particularly effective because it doesn't offer closure-instead, it amplifies the horror by suggesting that the consequences are irreversible. While some may find the final twist gratuitous, it reinforces the film's central theme: humanity's arrogance in manipulating life leads to monstrous outcomes. The performances, especially Delphine Chanéac as Dren, are haunting, and the body horror elements are executed with chilling realism. Overall, Splice is a flawed but memorable sci-fi horror that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll.
Final Thoughts
The ending of Splice is a bleak commentary on the dangers of unchecked scientific ambition. By leaving Elsa pregnant with a creature that could be even more dangerous than Dren, the film suggests that humanity's meddling with nature has consequences beyond comprehension. It's a fittingly grim conclusion to a story about creation, hubris, and the monstrous potential within us all.