M. Night Shyamalan is a household name mostly thanks to his debut feature THE SIXTH SENSE, follow-ups of UNBREAKABLE and SIGNS cemented his name as one of Hollywood’s most original film-makers. However, further down the rabbit hole and his later films have not been met with as much success. THE VILLAGE’s clever twist was too out there for some while THE HAPPENING’s attack of the plants had its moments, certainly didn’t hit the highs of his masterpiece trilogy. With some years out of Hollywood limelight (focussing on TV with the twist filled WAYWARD PINES) his return with THE VISIT inspired a comeback for the acclaimed writer and luckily Shyamalan is back on form with his latest work, SPLIT.

 

Kevin (James McAvoy) has 23 distinct personalities, each one clawing at the limelight for attention but as 2 of these personalities take control, the emergence of a 24th threatens everything. SPLIT opens with the kidnapping of friends Claire (Haley Lu Richardson) and Marcia (Jessica Sula) along with their reclusive classmate Casey (Anya Taylor-Joy) after a party and quickly sets the temperament of the film. As quickly as they are taken away, we soon meet three of the 23 personalities that reside in Kevin. As the girls fight for survival, the true nature of their ordeal is played out by Kevin’s personalities and kept until the last chapter.

 

The films subject is certainly not handled senselessly and despite its fantastical conclusion, holds plenty of heart to the condition that affects millions across the globe. Shyamalan effectively brings abuse and affect to screen like it has never been seen before and rather turns the victim into the stronger personality. No better is this showcased than with the parallels of captive and captor. Kevin’s battle with himself comes to light thanks to interactions with his psychiatrist, Dr Fletcher (Betty Buckley) who aids his softer personalities while repressing the dangerous ones. Unfortunately, she may be too late and the 2 that have a belief of a 24th personality seek about the day of its arrival and these 3 girls may feel the urge of its brutality.

 

SPLIT is laced with humour and yet has a depressive heart that there is good in the villain of the piece, as he flits in between characters, it’s never too obvious who will appear next and in a shock twist in the final frames, the story set about in SPLIT has larger connotations to a franchise which already has already been grounded.

 

James McAvoy is perfect casting for a role that bounds no sex, temperament nor age delivering believable characters which could otherwise be comically overturned. The effective nature of McAvoy’s role means that he is playing 24 characters, all different yet linked into the same persona. The coming of the 24th is a journey not set on solid ground and twists and turns put this as Shyamalan’s best film since UNBREAKABLE but credit is not solely on the shoulders of its creator. Another star turn from Anya Taylor-Joy proves she’s much more than a one trick pony in last years THE WITCH as she plays to the strengths, and weakness of her character.

 

SPLIT is a cracking start to 2017 and with an all-star cast, shock revelation and tense drama, proves that Shyamalan still has a great story to tell.