Split Rock is a slow-burn and gorgeous work of supernatural horror
Anyone who watched Ryan Glover's last movie, his feature debut The Strings, knows that his work is heavy on vibe and mood. That's very much true of his latest feature, Split Rock. It's not quite as trippy as The Strings, but it certainly has a vibe alright, and it's a film that combines a few different subgenres, including supernatural horror, cosmic horror, and even possession. The film stands out for its excellent use of setting, specifically the Canadian Badlands, but also its richer characterization.
The movie stars Clark Backo as Lauren and Drew Ray Tanner as Ben, geologists who are also lovers. They're eventually joined by Trevor (Graham Verchere) and Sam (Olivia Luccardi). Before Trevor and Sam arrive, however, Lauren and Ben discover something weird in the rocks, specifically something metallic. It doesn't take long for Lauren to feel a strange pull and connection, which eventually leads to eerie visions and the sense that she and her partner discovered something ancient and evil that eventually possesses Lauren's consciousness.
Before the horror really kicks into high gear, especially by the last 30 minutes, the movie spends time basking in the gorgeous Badlands' scenery. Toronto cinematographer Nikolay Michaylov really did an excellent job depicting the natural landscape and how breathtaking it is. It often fills the frame, which is fitting since whatever lurks deep in those rocks eventually overpowers Lauren. In some ways, the characters start to feel secondary to the landscape, and maybe that's intentional since those rocks have been there long before the geologists and will be there long after.
That said, Glover does spend time developing the characters, especially Lauren and Ben. Through their conversations, we learn about their relationship history and why they fell in love with Earth science in the first place. Though I said this movie certainly has a vibe, there's more time spent on characterization here compared to The Strings, and again, it shows Glover's growth as a writer and director. However, Trevor and Sam do feel a little too one-dimensional compared to the leads and deserved a bit more development.
As for the pacing, the film really takes its time before the horror accelerates to another level. Until that point, though, viewers will lose themselves in the landscape, as the force takes its time possessing Lauren. There's a slow build-up, but the last 20-30 minutes offer some shocking and gory moments. There's certainly a payoff. Additionally, the film blends subgenres well, especially cosmic horror and the supernatural. There's not much explanation given about what Lauren and Ben discover in the rocks, or why it latches onto Lauren, but in this case, does there need to be? It's clear that it's ancient and perhaps evil. It defies human understanding and can't be measured.
Overall, Split Rock shows a lot of growth for Glover as a writer and director. His second feature is heavy on mood and tone, but that's balanced with deeper characterization, at least for the leads, and some gnarly cosmic and supernatural horror moments in the last act. Split Rock is a gorgeous looking horror movie that showcases the beauty and depth of the Canadian Badlands, while pondering what ancient forces could exist deep in those rocks. The slow build-up is balanced with a bloody and surprising last act.
Split Rock just had its world premiere at the 2026 Sitges Film Festival and will have its North American premiere at the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival, presented in 35 mm, on Wednesday, October 21 at 6:30 PM ET at Nitehawk Cinema Williamsburg.
Additionally, the film was just picked up by Shudder and will release on the streamer in December.
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