🎬 Split (2016)


Trailer provided by Universal Pictures via YouTube.



⭐ Rating: 3.9/5
📅 Release Date: January 20, 2017
🎭 Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
🎬 Director: M. Night Shyamalan
🕴️ Stars: James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy, Betty Buckley

Review:

Split follows the story of Kevin (James McAvoy), a man suffering from dissociative identity disorder, who kidnaps three teenage girls. As the girls try to escape, they encounter various personalities of Kevin’s—some violent, others kind—leading them to understand the full complexity of his fractured mind. As the story unfolds, a darker, more dangerous personality emerges, threatening their lives in terrifying ways.

James McAvoy’s portrayal of Kevin is nothing short of impressive, seamlessly shifting between different identities, making his performance the film’s standout element. The tension builds gradually, with M. Night Shyamalan’s direction ensuring that the suspense never wanes. While the film leans heavily into psychological horror and mystery, it also delves into deeper themes like trauma, identity, and control. The twist ending adds a layer of connection to Shyamalan’s earlier film Unbreakable, further elevating the experience.

What Worked:

✅ James McAvoy’s performance – His portrayal of multiple personalities is a tour de force, showing his versatility as an actor.
✅ Psychological tension – The suspense is palpable as the girls struggle to understand Kevin’s condition and escape.
✅ Strong direction – Shyamalan brings his signature style of slow-burn suspense and mystery, with a well-crafted reveal.

What Didn’t Work:

❌ Pacing issues – The movie’s slow buildup might frustrate some viewers who expect faster action.
❌ Underdeveloped secondary characters – Some of the supporting characters, like the kidnapped girls, could have been more fleshed out.

Where to Watch:

You can stream Split on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Hulu (availability may vary by region).

Final Verdict:

Split is a tense, mind-bending psychological thriller that showcases James McAvoy’s stellar acting and M. Night Shyamalan’s knack for building suspense. While it may not be for everyone due to its slower pacing, the film offers a chilling experience and a fascinating exploration of identity and trauma.

💬 Comments
🗨 PsychHorrorFan: James McAvoy was incredible in this—he completely transformed into each of the personalities.
🗨 TwistLover: The ending was mind-blowing! Didn’t see that coming at all.
🗨 HorrorGuru: Psychological horror at its finest. Some slow parts, but the tension kept me hooked.
🗨 UnbreakableFan: Loved the twist connecting it to Unbreakable—didn’t expect that!

Leave a comment below! What did you think of Split? 👇