Despite following the popular set up of modern horror film-making to the letter, remarkably first time Director Tobie Wilkins does more than just tick boxes with his debut picture, Splinter.

The usual equation - one lost, sweet-natured couple plus one less-wholesome stranger divided by a monster, equalling horror - is fully intact, but a strong strain of originality combined with some truly grisly moments and an intelligent approach to cheap special effects drives this short, sharp picture.

'Sharp' is the operative word here, as the monster in question isn't your dull-as-ditchwater hick with a powertool or a seemingly invincible creature with a trademark killing method, but rather an element of nature turned nasty. Namely the humble and eponymous splinter - a shard of wood causing far more trouble than the expected tweezer-session.

One single spike in the thumb and within seconds victims are reanimated corpses filled with evil xylem, jerking along on distorted limbs like Ringu's Sadako - intent on infecting their prey. Economic camera-work, a one-location set and sympathetic characterisation make this simple premise a success.

Tobie Wilkins is one to watch. We can only hope he’s not snapped up to work on anything as uninspiring as the inevitable, forthcoming Saw 6 and is given free rein to make something as original as Splinter, but with five times the budget in future.

Liam Tucker