Splinter

Splinter

USA. 2008.

In English.

Directed by Toby Wilkins

Starring Paulo Costanzo, Jill Wagner, Shea Whigham, Rachel Kerbs

            Confession: I don’t usually like zombie movies. Splinter is one of the exceptions, due to its spectacular effects and quick-moving plot. Released in 2008, this low-budget independent gem packs a lot into its slim 82 minutes, filling them to the brim with grotesque zombies and claustrophobic panic. Although it won 6 awards at Screamfest 2008, including best picture, it was practically nonexistent at the US box office, hence its inclusion as “one of the best horror movies you’ve never heard of.”

            A young couple, Seth (Costanzo) and Polly (Wagner) are headed out on a romantic camping trip when their car is hijacked by thug Dennis (Whigham) and his drug-abusing girlfriend Lacey (Kerbs). Finding their way into a gas station, they discover that the attendant is a murderous zombie whose mind and body have been taken over by a fungus that looks like large, black splinters. Lacey is killed and infected, and the other three try to protect themselves from touching the splinters while figuring out a way of escape.

The zombie effects are terrific: disembodied body parts scrabble around terrifyingly,  half-bodies sew themselves together to create chimeric new forms, and we see the gradual progress of the fungus as it infects one of the main characters. If only the shots we got of these scares were longer! I found myself rewinding the movie a few times to get a better glimpse at them. For that reason, “Splinters” receives a 3/5 on the gore-o-meter (“Ew! Now that is gross”). I also rate it a 3 for scariness, (“Solid. Creepy”).  

            If you count Frankenstein, zombies have been part of moviemaking since 1910. One hundred years and hundreds of movies later, they’re still kicking (shambling?). Does “Splinter” really add anything to the genre? With its body-morphing zombies and a “fungus” twist on zombification, one could make the case. Either way, it’s still a fun, quick romp through zombieland, and definitely worth watching. Take it as coming from a non-zombie fan.

-AC