
Splice (2009) & Mimic (1997): Playing God with DNA
From Journey Through Sci-Fi: Science Fiction Film History by James Payne
February 12, 2026 · 1h 14m · Season 7 · Episode 25
About this episode
This episode explores the themes of mad science and body horror in the films Mimic and Splice.
This week on Journey Through Sci-Fi, we're heading into murkier, creepier territory as we pair Mimic and Splice - two films that take mad science out of the lab and straight into body-horror nightmare fuel. Directed by Guillermo del Toro and Vincenzo Natali , they arrive from very different moments in sci-fi cinema. Mimic comes out of the late-90s creature-feature era, mixing practical effects with early CGI and big studio ambition. Splice , released over a decade later, taps into anxieties around gene splicing, biotech, and scientists who really should know better. Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Support the podcast on PATREON Add us on INSTAGRAM Find us on TIKTOK Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD
People in this episode
Host: James Payne
Topics covered
- body horror
- mad science
- gene splicing
- biotech
- creature feature
- film analysis
Keywords
- Mimic
- Splice
- body horror
- mad science
- gene splicing
- Guillermo del Toro
- Vincenzo Natali
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Mimic, Splice
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