Film Excess - Free Ukraine - Stop Putin - End the war NOW!!: Splinter (2008) - Solid effects alone don't a great horror make

10/27/2019

Splinter (2008) - Solid effects alone don't a great horror make

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Splintery growths protrude from the disgusting hand on this gore-promising poster for Toby Wilkins' Splinter

A sweet young couple on anniversary camping decide to give up their plans for the night for the easier option; a motel. But on their way there, they are upheld by a less sweet criminal couple with engine problems. Then a scary monster attacks!

Splinter is written by Ian Shorr (Rigged (2008)) and Kai Barry (Juko's Time Machine (2011)) and directed by feature-debuting Toby Wilkins (Devil's Trade (2007, TV-series)).
Despite a good-looking monster and solid gore effects, - often pretty gross ones, - Splinter never becomes a good horror, because it seems the majority of the energy - and budget - behind it have gone into this area of the film. Neither the plot, which almost all plays out at a gas station, or the four not too engaging or interesting characters impress, and the film's overall style seems visibly restrained by budgetary concerns.
There doesn't seem to be any deeper meaning behind the horrors of Splinter, and they made me yawn more than shiver, regrettably. Splinter is thankfully short, though.

2008 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED III]

2008 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED II]

There are no relevant Splinter videos available at Youtube, so here is a video of Wilkins' birthday party during his work on Teen Wolf (2011, TV-series)

Cost: Unknown
Box office: 491k $
= Uncertain - but likely a mega-flop
[Splinter premiered 31 October (USA) and runs 82 minutes. Shooting took place in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The film opened #81 to a 9k $ first weekend in 4 theaters in North America, its peak there, where it played only one more week and grossed 14k $ (2.9 % of the total gross). It was shown on the HDNet Movies satelite channel 3 days prior to the theatrical release. The biggest 3 of the film's 7 original release markets (a re-release was done in Bolivia in 2012) were Turkey with 152k $ (31 %), Venezuela with 84k $ (17.1 %) and UAE with 78k $ (15.9 %). The film's budget has not been publicized, but it made on a likely, low 1 mil. $, the film would count as a mega-flop. Wilkins returned with The Grudge 3 (2009). Shea Whigham (Boardwalk Empire (2010-14)) returned in The Killing Room (2009). Splinter is fresh at 74 % with a 6.31/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

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Film Excess - Free Ukraine - Stop Putin - End the war NOW!!

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10/27/2019

Splinter (2008) - Solid effects alone don't a great horror make

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