The Relic (1997)

The Relic (1997) is a science-fiction horror film directed by Peter Hyams, based on the 1995 novel of the same name by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. The film stars Penelope Ann Miller and Tom Sizemore and is set in Chicago’s Natural History Museum.
The story revolves around a series of gruesome murders that occur at the museum, with the victims found decapitated and with missing hypothalamuses. A local homicide detective (Tom Sizemore) and a museum evolutionary biologist (Penelope Ann Miller) investigate, eventually uncovering that the killer is a monstrous creature, the result of a genetic experiment gone wrong. The creature is linked to an ancient South American artifact brought to the museum, and it goes on a rampage during a high-profile exhibition.
The Relic was praised for its atmospheric tension and impressive practical creature effects, though it received mixed reviews regarding its pacing and story. Its blend of mystery, horror, and science fiction creates an eerie, suspenseful experience for fans of creature features.