Adrien Brody Oscar resurgence and Splice streaming success have taken the spotlight as Brody, after two decades since his Oscar win for The Pianist, finds renewed acclaim. The recent recognition from The Brutalist has put Brody’s older projects in the limelight, leading Splice to climb the Prime Video charts despite a lukewarm audience response.
Brody’s Career Rebounds with The Brutalist and Streaming Popularity
After his acclaimed role in the World War II drama The Pianist, Adrien Brody struggled for years to match early expectations. Between some notable supporting turns and a succession of less memorable lead roles, Brody’s path was uncertain until his resurgence with The Brutalist last year. This performance earned him his second Academy Award, reestablishing his standing among elite actors.
Simultaneously, Splice—a science fiction horror film directed by Vincenzo Natali—experienced a resurgence of its own. Though mostly overlooked since its 2009 release, Splice entered Prime Video’s top ten on May 28, according to FlixPatrol, accumulating 93 points before dropping out of the ranking the next day. For the year, the film achieved over 500 points, highlighting renewed interest.
Splice: From Box Office Disappointment to Streaming Hit
Originally released in 2009, Splice starred both Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley, who later became an Oscar winner herself. The two played a scientist couple exploring the boundaries of genetics by creating a hybrid organism, reminiscent of Frankenstein’s monster. Despite the star power, Splice grossed $27 million against a $30 million budget, falling short commercially.
Critical response to Splice was mixed, earning a 75% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating some appreciation among reviewers. Audience reactions, however, told a different story, assigning the film a notably low 37% user score. Reflecting on the movie, critic Roger Ebert called it “well done and intriguing,” and went on to say,
“has the beginnings of a lot of ideas, including the love that observably exists between humans and some animals.”
—Roger Ebert, Film Critic
Brody’s Continued Evolution and Impact
In the years following Splice, Brody ventured into diverse roles, from leading the franchise movie Predators to a memorable part in Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris. He found continued success with supporting characters in Wes Anderson’s films, broadening his range and appeal. His role in Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist secured him his second Oscar, and the film exceeded $50 million worldwide at the box office, a significant achievement considering its modest production budget.
While Splice divided viewers, its return to the streaming spotlight amid Brody’s renewed fame demonstrates the complex relationship between critical acclaim, audience taste, and actor resurgence. Fans of Adrien Brody, Sarah Polley, and Delphine Chaneac can revisit Splice on Prime Video, while Brody’s ongoing projects continue to generate anticipation.
