Today’s quick review: Split. On the way home from a party, three teenage girls (Anya Taylor-Joy, Haley Lu Richardson, and Jessica Sula) are drugged, kidnapped, and locked in a basement prison by Kevin (James McAvoy), a troubled man with a split personality. Dennis, his now-dominant personality, intends to sacrifice them to the Beast, a dangerous new personality. The girls must use all their cunning to escape their captor before it is too late.
Split is a suspense thriller from writer and director M. Night Shyamalan. Split delves into the fractured mind of Kevin, whose traumatic childhood has led him to develop some two dozen separate personalities, some harmless and some twisted. To free herself and the two girls trapped with her, Casey Cooke (Anya Taylor-Joy), a reclusive girl dealing with trauma of her own, must learn to navigate Kevin’s psyche and uncover an opening for escape.
Split has three strong pillars that support the movie: James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy, and M. Night Shyamalan himself. McAvoy gives a standout performance as Kevin, shifting between his many personalities with only subtle shifts in posture and delivery. Taylor-Joy grounds the movie as Casey, whose resilience and pragmatism keep a spark of hope alive. Shyamalan is in fine form, with solid writing, patient storytelling, and attentive cinematography.
Split still manages to be an unusual watch in several key ways. The question of whether the Beast is real or simply another delusion adds a layer of mystery to the movie, as well as supernatural overtones. The plot progresses slowly but steadily. Much of the film is spent on setup, but the time doesn’t feel wasted. Split also isn’t as frightening as it first appears. The situation is unnerving, but the rules of the story are fair.
Watch Split when you’re in the mood for a well-executed thriller with a few clever ideas. Those interested in the premise will be impressed by James McAvoy’s performance and the film’s all-around solid craftsmanship. Those looking for a pure horror movie or a more elaborate plot may want to give it a pass. For a darker thriller with similar elements, try Identity. For a somewhat lighter take on similar questions from the same director, try Unbreakable.
7.3 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for a well-crafted story and an impressive lead performance.