Splinter

R

Released Oct 31, 2008

1h 22m

Horror

List

76%

37 Reviews

Tomatometer

49%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

When their plans for a nature trip go awry, Polly Watt (Jill Wagner) and boyfriend Seth Belzer (Paulo Costanzo) decide to check into a motel. On their way, they're carjacked and kidnapped by low-rent crooks Dennis Farell (Shea Whigham) and Lacey Belisle (Rachel Krebs), who take the victims and their SUV to a nearby gas station. Along the way, they encounter an increasingly terrifying horde of parasites, and if any of them intend to survive, they'll have to outsmart the deadly organisms.

Read More

Read Less

Peacock

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Hulu

Watch Splinter with a subscription on Prime Video, Hulu, rent on Fandango at Home, or buy on Fandango at Home.

Critics Consensus

Never taking itself too seriously, Splinter scores as a fast-paced, fun thriller with more than enough scares.

Read Critics Reviews

Joshua m

This "movie" gets an F minus.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/15/24

Full Review

D.L. J

I really like this movie, it's underrated. The monster is awesome, the acting superb, the story is short but fast and works well. It's not perfect, but if you like creature features you'll like this movie.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/28/24

Full Review

Ash P

It may not be an amazing horror flick with the acting being so-so and the plot being as standard as some thriller movies. However, the concept with the Parasite itself and how the build up goes is fun to get you sucked in. You can even say this movie can be a guilty pleasure to watch every year or so. 7/10.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/24/24

Full Review

Gunn W

How much action can you have in a convenience store? Yeah, the spikes were a cool concept - but it's basically like any other quarantine/disease film. Whether it's spores from an alien planet or a pandemic here on Earth, these films are all the same. Actually, add in a bit of zombie action, and that sums up "Splinter" in a nutshell. Considering it's a B-class, low budget film, it's actually pretty decent. I also enjoyed the surprises, and pending doom of not knowing what will happen next! That was a nice touch. And I like how the ending was a bit ambiguous - leaving the possibility for a part 2 (which I really hope they don't make!) RECOMMENDATION: I call these genre of movies, "background noise". Meaning, it doesn't require your full attention to understand what's going on, since 90% takes place in a gas station/convenience store. I played video games on my phone while this was on in the background - and I found it's a good way to pass the time!

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

12/17/22

Full Review

farah r

Splinter relies on gore to produce scares and fails miserably at doing so. The movie plays out like it was written by an amateur, and the creature is laughable. Nothing is explained about its origins as the entire film unfolds in a creepy roadside gas station. I'm not sure why Splinter ended up on a top ten horror movies list, but it must've been by mistake.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

christopher c. m

I wasn't expecting much, just a gore fest with no story or characters. That is what I was expecting but I was wrong. First, amazing creature effects. The story is basic but good. The characters do the expected stupid things you would expect characters to do in a movie like this and I wish I knew more about the splinter monsters. What are they? Where do they come from? But it is scary and I jumped many times. Not great but still incredibly good and worth checking out for those who like good scary movies.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Toby Wilkins

Director

Shea Whigham

Dennis

Paulo Costanzo

Seth

Jill Wagner

Polly

Rachel Krebs

Lacey

Laurel Whitsett

Sheriff Frankel

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

15%

53%

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning

28%

43%

House of Wax

57%

45%

Hatchet

29%

20%

Survival of the Dead

85%

63%

The House of the Devil

TRAILER

for The House of the Devil

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

RT on DVD: Frank Miller Talks The Spirit, Michel Gondry Releases New Music Video DVD

View more photos

Joshua Rothkopf

Time Out

Rated: 3/5

Nov 17, 2011

Full Review

Ben Mankiewicz

At the Movies

This is a terrifying film.

Nov 10, 2008

Full Review

Ben Lyons

At the Movies

It's good, it's just nothing really groundbreaking or special.

Nov 10, 2008

Full Review

Trace Thurman

Bloody Disgusting

Wilkins makes up for his low budget with some truly impressive practical effects and stellar character work.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 28, 2023

Full Review

Stephanie Archer

Film Inquiry

In a retrospective world, now is the time to revisit Splinter - or to discover it for the first time. You won't be disappointed.

Jan 15, 2021

Full Review

David Harris

Spectrum Culture

It may find itself a cult following, but in a genre full of similar movies, it is more likely that Splinter will be assimilated just like its victims, and forgotten.

Rated: 2.5/5

Aug 5, 2020

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

When their plans for a nature trip go awry, Polly Watt (Jill Wagner) and boyfriend Seth Belzer (Paulo Costanzo) decide to check into a motel. On their way, they're carjacked and kidnapped by low-rent crooks Dennis Farell (Shea Whigham) and Lacey Belisle (Rachel Krebs), who take the victims and their SUV to a nearby gas station. Along the way, they encounter an increasingly terrifying horde of parasites, and if any of them intend to survive, they'll have to outsmart the deadly organisms.

Director: Toby Wilkins
Producer: Chad Burris, Jamie Carmichael, Graham Begg, Todd Wagner
Screenwriter: Kai Barry, Ian Shorr
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Production Co: Kish Prods.
Rating: R (Violence|Language|Gore)
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 31, 2008, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 19, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $12.9K
Runtime: 1h 22m

Most Popular at Home Now