Split (2017)

Split (2017)
Dir: M. Night Shyamalan

A return to form?

Split is the new film written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan and focuses on the kidnapping of three young girls by Kevin (James McAvoy), a sufferer from split personality disorder. He possess over 23 different identities with the possibility and threat of a 24^th known only as ‘The Beast’. As the film opened I was worried it would be a rehash of the excellent Disappearance of Alice Creed. And while that might be right to a certain degree, the narrative was fashioned around the eerie edges that we became so accustomed to in Shyamalan’s earlier works. The thing I enjoyed the most about Split was its self-containment - there are only five essential characters the plot revolves around. Shyamalan has proven he loses grasp of the narrative flow when he tussles with too many characters and plot points. Instead when he handles a contained storyline, the essence of terror at the core of all his earlier works is foregrounded. Split has now reinvigorated that suspenseful edge and is underpinned by the electrifying performance by James McAvoy. As each identity is presented in a leery voyeuristic camera movement, McAvoy’s presence and especially his demonic smile suggests such a haunting aura the tension is amplified whenever he is on screen.

Shyamalan’s new thriller is strange, unexpected with McAvoy stealing the show with his multifaceted performance. Split contains all the twists and turns I hoped to see in a possible return to form for the obscure filmmaker - with the final twist being one of the best ones yet.