Splice (2009) & Mimic (1997): Playing God with DNA

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

More episodes of Journey Through Sci-Fi: Science Fiction Film History

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Journey Through Sci-Fi: Science Fiction Film History podcast page.