Splinter is a low-budget horror film that critics appreciated more than general audiences. It's competently made for what it is—a claustrophobic creature feature with body horror—but the 49% audience score tells you it's not exactly beloved.

The parasite concept is creative enough, and if you're a horror fan who can appreciate practical effects and tight-space tension, there's something here. But it's also dated, gross, and not particularly scary to many viewers. The gap between critic and audience scores suggests it's more technically proficient than actually entertaining.

For parents: this is obviously not for kids. It's adult horror with graphic violence and body horror. If your 17-year-old wants to watch it for a creature feature night, fine, but don't expect them to be blown away—it's a 6.1/10 on IMDb for a reason. Watchable if you're into the genre, forgettable otherwise.