2017 Film review: Split – Director M. Night Shyamalan is back and this time he is better then ever

Synopsis: James Mcvoy plays an abused schizophrenic, Kevin Wendall Crumb, with 23 different identities. As his condition gets worse he creates a 24th identity that is more destructive that ever. To satisfy this evolved and evil new identity, he kidnaps three girls in hope to do awful things with them.

Cast: James Mcvoy: Kevin Wendall Crumb, Anya Taylor- Joy: Casey Cook, Betty Buckley: Dr Karen Fletcher

We already know that writer/director M. Night Shyamalan loves the paranormal. From ‘The Sixth Sense’ back in 1998 to 2015’s ‘The Visit’ the space between worlds has always been one of his primary fascinations.

Now he’s turning his attention mental health – and he’s better than ever.

James McAvoy gives a compelling performance as Kevin, a man suffering from disoscciative identity disorder (better known in movie language as multiple personality disorder). He’s got 23 different personalities – from a fashion designer to a nine-year-old child.

The pace is fast and like Kevin’s identities, the film is constantly changing, moving from one fascinating but often shocking scene to the next. Shyamalan also uses the camera to his advantage. In parts where a submissive identity takes over, the camera moves steadily indicating that this identity is harmless. When a harsher one takes over, angles become sharper and more violent alongside what you’re seeing on-screen.

It’s a dark, taboo storyline with a strong running theme of abuse. Both Kevin and one of the kidnapped girls were both abused as children, elements of their history we see in flashback.

As such, Shyamalan creates an antagonist who’s both a scary villain but also a victim of his own condition.

It makes for an unpredictable viewing experience, which can be both good and bad. A scene in which an identity who suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) takes over is a case in point – Kevin asks one of the young girls to take their jumper off as it has a stain on it, but while you think you know his intentions, the storyline doesn’t lead to where you think it’s going.

Gradually, we begin to see that Kevin is occasionally being controlled by a 24th identity – the “beast” – who compels him to perform these horrendous acts. The revelations that follow make for a gripping thriller with a trademark M.Night Shyamalan twist. The result is a volatile, compulsive movie that’s also insanely entertaining.

‘SPLIT’ is in cinemas now and suitable for age 15 and above.

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