Split (2016) is a psychological thriller that quietly pulls you in… and then completely messes with your mind. Directed by M. Night Shyamalan, the film explores trauma, identity, and the terrifying elasticity of the human psyche. By the time it ends, you realize you weren’t just watching a standalone thriller, but the rebirth of a cinematic universe.
Detailed Summary
The Abduction
The film begins with three teenage girls being kidnapped in broad daylight by a man who appears calm, polite, and disturbingly controlled. This man is Kevin Wendell Crumb, portrayed by James McAvoy, who suffers from Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). At first, his behavior seems strange but manageable.
Meeting the Personalities
As the girls are imprisoned in an underground facility, they begin to encounter Kevin’s different identities. Some are harmless, even kind. Others are deeply unsettling. Among the most notable are:
- Dennis, obsessive and controlling
- Patricia, strict and motherly
- Hedwig, a lonely nine-year-old boy
The film carefully reveals these personalities, creating tension without immediately showing violence.
Casey’s Trauma and Survival Instinct
One of the captives, Casey Cooke, stands apart. Quiet, observant, and emotionally guarded, she has a traumatic past of her own. Her ability to read Kevin’s personalities and adapt becomes her key to survival. This parallel between trauma and strength is one of the film’s emotional cores.
The Arrival of “The Beast”
Kevin’s therapist, Dr. Fletcher, believes Kevin has 23 personalities—but rumors of a 24th begin to surface. This identity, “The Beast,” is said to possess superhuman strength, resilience, and a god-like sense of purpose. As the personalities lose control, The Beast begins to emerge.
Movie Ending
The final act reveals The Beast in full. Kevin undergoes a horrifying physical transformation, displaying inhuman strength, agility, and pain resistance. He kills two of the captive girls without hesitation, believing that those who have not suffered are “impure.”
When The Beast confronts Casey, something unexpected happens. He notices scars on her body—evidence of past abuse. Instead of killing her, he sees her as “pure” because she has endured suffering. He spares her life and leaves her alive in the facility.
Meanwhile, Dr. Fletcher is murdered after realizing that The Beast is real, proving her theory that the mind can alter the body beyond known limits.
The film closes with Casey being rescued and hospitalized, emotionally shattered but alive.
Then comes the twist.
In a diner, a TV report discusses Kevin’s crimes, comparing him to a mysterious criminal from years ago. A customer responds, “What was that guy’s name? Mr. Glass?” The camera cuts to Bruce Willis as David Dunn, confirming that Split is secretly set in the same universe as Unbreakable (2000).
This revelation recontextualizes the entire film, turning it into a stealth sequel and setting up Glass (2019).
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
There is no traditional post-credits scene, but the final diner scene functions as a universe-connecting stinger. Viewers familiar with Unbreakable instantly recognize its importance.
Type of Movie
Split is a psychological thriller with strong horror elements and a dramatic character study at its core. It blends grounded realism with gradual supernatural implications rather than overt fantasy.
Cast
- James McAvoy – Kevin Wendell Crumb
- Anya Taylor-Joy – Casey Cooke
- Betty Buckley – Dr. Karen Fletcher
- Haley Lu Richardson – Claire Benoit
- Jessica Sula – Marcia
- Izzy Coffey – Hedwig (motion/performance capture aspects)
Film Music and Composer
The score is composed by West Dylan Thordson, whose minimalist and tension-driven music amplifies the unease. The music avoids emotional cues, forcing the audience to sit with discomfort rather than be guided.
Filming Locations
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Primary setting
- The underground facility was constructed on sound stages to enhance claustrophobia
- Real urban locations were used to ground the story in realism, making the supernatural turn more unsettling
Philadelphia also connects the film geographically to Unbreakable.
Awards and Nominations
- James McAvoy received widespread critical acclaim and multiple award nominations
- Nominated at the Saturn Awards for Best Thriller Film
- Strong presence on year-end “best performances” lists
Behind the Scenes Insights
- James McAvoy switches between personalities without camera cuts in several scenes
- Shyamalan deliberately avoided heavy CGI to keep transformations unsettlingly real
- Anya Taylor-Joy improvised parts of Casey’s emotional reactions
- The film was made on a relatively modest budget, increasing creative control
Inspirations and References
- Inspired by real clinical cases of Dissociative Identity Disorder
- Thematically connected to Unbreakable (2000), though this was kept secret
- Explores Shyamalan’s recurring theme: humans as latent mythological beings
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
- Early drafts included more overt explanations of The Beast’s powers
- Several therapy scenes were removed to preserve ambiguity
- Shyamalan chose restraint to keep the audience questioning reality
Book Adaptations and Differences
Split is not based on a novel, but it draws heavily from psychological case studies and comic-book myth structures. Unlike traditional superhero stories, it presents powers as a side effect of belief and trauma.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Kevin switching personalities during therapy sessions
- Hedwig dancing to Kanye West
- The Beast climbing walls like an animal
- The diner reveal with David Dunn
Iconic Quotes
- “The broken are the more evolved.”
- “We are what we believe we are.”
- “You believe you are stronger?”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Subtle purple lighting references Mr. Glass
- Zoo imagery foreshadows The Beast’s animalistic nature
- Character names mirror comic-book archetypes
- The score subtly changes with each personality
Trivia
- McAvoy portrays 23 distinct personalities, though only some appear onscreen
- Shyamalan self-financed part of the film
- The Beast’s physique was achieved mostly through performance, not effects
Why Watch?
Because Split is not just a thriller—it’s a performance showcase, a psychological puzzle, and a cleverly disguised superhero origin story. James McAvoy alone makes it essential viewing.
