Detailed Summary
The Abduction
“Split” opens with the sudden and shocking abduction of three teenage girls—Casey (Anya Taylor-Joy), Claire (Haley Lu Richardson), and Marcia (Jessica Sula)—by a man named Kevin Wendell Crumb (James McAvoy). Kevin suffers from Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and has 23 distinct personalities, each vying for control. The girls are taken to an underground bunker, where they must figure out how to escape from their captor.
Introduction to Kevin’s Personalities
As the girls are held captive, they encounter several of Kevin’s personalities, including “Patricia,” a stern and authoritative woman; “Dennis,” a man with obsessive-compulsive tendencies; and “Hedwig,” a nine-year-old boy. The girls slowly realize that Kevin is not just one person, but many, each with their own distinct traits and motivations.
Dr. Fletcher’s Investigation
Dr. Karen Fletcher (Betty Buckley), Kevin’s psychiatrist, becomes increasingly concerned about his condition as she notices strange behaviors and messages left by some of his personalities. She begins to suspect that something sinister is happening, especially as she learns more about a rumored 24th personality called “The Beast,” which other identities fear and revere.
The Emergence of “The Beast”
As the girls attempt to escape, Kevin’s personalities warn them of “The Beast,” a superhuman entity that is set to emerge. This personality is stronger, faster, and more dangerous than the others. As “The Beast” takes control, the full extent of Kevin’s transformation is revealed—he becomes an unstoppable force, driven by the belief that those who have not suffered are “impure.”
The Final Confrontation
Casey, the most resourceful of the captives, uses her own traumatic past to connect with Kevin’s more vulnerable personalities. However, as “The Beast” takes full control, Casey must confront him in a tense and terrifying showdown. She eventually survives by revealing her own scars, which “The Beast” interprets as a sign of purity and leaves her unharmed.
The Shyamalan Twist
The film ends with a classic M. Night Shyamalan twist. In a final scene, a news report about Kevin’s crimes is shown in a diner, where a customer remarks that the situation reminds her of another criminal. The camera pans to reveal David Dunn (Bruce Willis), the protagonist from Shyamalan’s 2000 film “Unbreakable,” setting the stage for a shared universe and the upcoming sequel, “Glass” (2019).
Movie Ending
“Split” concludes with Kevin, now fully dominated by “The Beast,” evading capture and preparing for what lies ahead. Casey is rescued but remains deeply affected by her ordeal. The film’s ending is both thrilling and chilling, with a hint of what’s to come in the broader universe of Shyamalan’s films.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
“Split” does not have a post-credits scene, but the final scene involving David Dunn serves as a significant twist and a setup for the sequel.
Type of Movie
“Split” is a psychological horror-thriller with elements of a psychological drama, blending intense suspense with Shyamalan’s signature twist ending.
Cast
- James McAvoy as Kevin Wendell Crumb / The Horde (23 personalities)
- Anya Taylor-Joy as Casey Cooke
- Betty Buckley as Dr. Karen Fletcher
- Haley Lu Richardson as Claire Benoit
- Jessica Sula as Marcia
Film Music and Composer
The film’s score was composed by West Dylan Thordson, who created a tense and atmospheric soundtrack that complements the psychological intensity of the film.
Filming Locations
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The movie was primarily shot in Philadelphia, which is a recurring location in many of Shyamalan’s films.
- Sun Center Studios, Chester Township, Pennsylvania: Some scenes were also filmed in this studio, providing the controlled environment needed for the film’s tense atmosphere.
Awards and Nominations
- Saturn Awards: James McAvoy received a nomination for Best Actor for his role as Kevin.
- MTV Movie & TV Awards: McAvoy was also nominated for Best Villain.
While “Split” did not dominate awards season, it was widely praised for McAvoy’s performance and its unique take on DID.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- James McAvoy’s Transformation: McAvoy took on the challenge of portraying 23 different personalities, with each requiring distinct mannerisms, accents, and behaviors.
- M. Night Shyamalan’s Cameo: As is typical in his films, Shyamalan has a brief cameo as a security guard.
- Filming Challenges: McAvoy’s physical transformation into “The Beast” required intense training and makeup effects to achieve the menacing, near-superhuman look.
Inspirations and References
- Dissociative Identity Disorder: The portrayal of DID in “Split” is a fictionalized and dramatized version of the real disorder, drawing on various psychological studies and reports.
- Previous Shyamalan Films: “Split” serves as a thematic and narrative continuation of Shyamalan’s earlier film “Unbreakable.”
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
There are no major alternate endings or deleted scenes released for “Split.” Shyamalan’s final cut was very close to his original vision for the film.
Book Adaptations and Differences
“Split” is an original screenplay by M. Night Shyamalan and is not based on a book, though it draws inspiration from psychological horror and thriller genres.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Kevin’s Personality Switches: The rapid changes in Kevin’s demeanor as he switches between personalities.
- Casey’s Escape Attempt: The tension-filled scene where Casey attempts to outwit one of Kevin’s personalities.
- The Beast’s Transformation: Kevin’s full transformation into “The Beast” and the ensuing confrontation.
Iconic Quotes
- “The broken are the more evolved.” – The Beast
- “We are what we believe we are.” – Dr. Fletcher
- “You like to make fun of us, but we’re more powerful than you think.” – Hedwig
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- “Unbreakable” References: The subtle hints leading up to the reveal that “Split” is connected to “Unbreakable.”
- Shyamalan’s Cameo: M. Night Shyamalan appears briefly, as he does in many of his films, this time as a security guard.
- The Beast’s Diet: References to “The Beast” eating unusual amounts of food and animals, symbolizing his animalistic nature.
Trivia
- James McAvoy initially planned to keep his hair, but after filming a few scenes, he chose to shave his head, a decision that Shyamalan fully embraced.
- The film had a modest budget of $9 million but earned over $278 million globally.
- “Split” began as a segment of the “Unbreakable” script, but Shyamalan decided the story was compelling enough to become a standalone film.
Why Watch?
“Split” is a masterclass in tension and character study, with James McAvoy delivering an unforgettable performance as multiple personalities. It’s a must-watch for fans of psychological thrillers and Shyamalan’s unique storytelling.
Director’s Other Movies
- The Sixth Sense (1999)
- Unbreakable (2000)
- Signs (2002)
- The Village (2004)
- The Visit (2015)
Recommended Films for Fans
- Unbreakable (2000)
- Glass (2019)
- The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
- Identity (2003)
- Primal Fear (1996)
