Split - A Movie Review

We have to figure out a way to outwit Kevin Wendell Crumb.

Split is a 2016 thriller about three girls who are kidnapped by a deranged man. This isn’t just any man. Diagnosed with a personality disorder, the man encases several peculiar entities. Planning out their escape, the girls are not in for an easy fight.

The beginning of Split is one of the best openings that I have seen in a long time. I was on the edge of my seat throughout most of this disturbing feature. How do you outsmart someone who has 23 personalities? Split distributes incredible performances, a striking twist, and masters bold subtly.

James McAvoy’s startling performance as a man with a multiple personality disorder was incredible. A challenging role indeed, McAvoy knew how to connect with this character. A few of the personalities that he portrayed were a young boy, a germaphobic man, and someone who views bizarre situations as acceptable. McAvoy excelled. He didn’t just torment three girls, but the audience, too.

Pay very close attention to Casey’s story because it reflects how she can withstand this nightmare. Anya Taylor-Joy’s expressive countenance was a remarkable performance. I enjoyed her interactions with McAvoy. While she is scared, she finds a creative way to relate to Kevin, therefore outwitting him.

Playing the roles of the other kidnapped victims, Claire (Haley Lu Richardson) and Marcia (Jessica Sula) are terrified beyond rational thought. The interactions between the girls are very important. Because Casey was never someone who they’d talk to, Claire and Marcia would rather think of their own escape plan.

Based on genius storytelling, Casey manifests a dark moral that helps viewers connect to her character. Obviously living a different lifestyle from Casey, Claire and Marcia don’t understand how to react to the brutalities. Split is a great example of how to rely on others.

The first film that I ever saw Betty Buckley in was Carrie. Buckley was outstanding as Dr. Karen Fletcher. The therapy scenes were my favorite. Each time, Kevin occupies the same personality. Karen wants to help him. Refusing to let him down, Karen demonstrates the importance of what a therapist is.

Split would not be memorable without the acting credits of Izzie Coffey, Brad William Henke, Sebastian Arcelus, Neal Huff, Ukee Washington, and Rosemary Howard. There is also an appearance by a well-known actor that completely changes the entire story.

M. Night Shyamalan has done it again. It has taken me a while to get used to Shyamalan. He has a different take on storytelling. With each film, he proves what he is capable of as a director. He peels back the layers of the film revealing the depths of the story.

The editing, cinematography, subtly, character interactions, and his direction to James McAvoy was outstanding. Sound also plays a substantial role. Shyamalan took risks. He lets audiences find out information through well-crafted tactics. It’s a lesson to filmmakers that you don’t need to spoon-feed information to audiences.

Horror has many definitions. Some movies describe it as gore. Others go for jump scares. Split works on realism. The girls are in a horrifying predicament. Kidnapping is a real nightmare that nobody should ever mock.

Towards the end, there is a moment that turns the film into a sort of fantasy element taking away from the realism. For me, it did not work.

Keep watching Split until the very end. You won’t understand the film unless you have seen another well-known film of Shyamalan’s. Once I understood the meaning, I loved the film even more. Find Split and watch the suspense unfold.