Split (film)
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| Split (film) | |
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| Name | Split |
| Caption | Theatrical release poster |
| Director | M. Night Shyamalan |
| Producer | Jason Blum, M. Night Shyamalan |
| Writer | M. Night Shyamalan |
| Starring | James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy, Betty Buckley, Haley Lu Richardson, Jessica Sula, Charlie Rowe, Matthew Modine |
| Music | West Dylan Thordson |
| Cinematography | Mike Gioulakis |
| Editing | Adam Gough |
| Studio | Blumhouse Productions, Blinding Edge Pictures |
| Distributor | Universal Pictures |
| Released | 2016 |
| Runtime | 117 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $9 million |
| Gross | $278 million |
Split (film) Split is a 2016 American psychological horror-thriller film written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan. The film follows a man with dissociative identity disorder who kidnaps three teenage girls, entwining elements of suspense and superhero mythology. Split is the second installment in the Unbreakable universe and stars James McAvoy in a multi-faceted lead role.
Plot
A trio of teenagers from Philadelphia—caseworker Marcia's clients—are abducted by a man who presents himself in diverse personas. The captor, whose legal name is Kevin Wendell Crumb, is a subject of psychiatric study by Dr. Fletcher at an unnamed facility and is revealed to harbor 23 distinct identities, including dominant figures such as an aggressive protector and a timid child. As the host navigates interactions with characters like a strict matriarchal persona and a flamboyant conductor, the girls attempt escape while the final emergent identity, known as "The Beast," prepares to enact a prophecy tied to an ancient survivalist creed. Outside the immediate abduction, Kevin's psychiatrist consults with officials from Pennsylvania institutions; parallel investigators trace clues to locations such as a suburban rental property and an abandoned school. The climax intersects with motifs from previous works by Shyamalan, culminating in a confrontation that recontextualizes prior encounters involving a security guard from Philadelphia International Airport and a comic-book memorabilia collector.
Cast
- James McAvoy as Kevin Wendell Crumb / multiple personalities — an inmate examined by Dr. Fletcher and the central antagonist. - Anya Taylor-Joy as Casey Cooke — a teenager with a troubled past from Philadelphia whose resilience echoes protagonists in Shyamalan's oeuvre. - Betty Buckley as Dr. Karen Fletcher — a psychiatrist affiliated with institutions like Rutgers University clinical programs and known for testifying in legal contexts. - Haley Lu Richardson as Claire — one of the kidnapped teenagers with links to suburban Pennsylvania communities. - Jessica Sula as Marcia — a friend under care moving through systems connected to Philadelphia social services. - Charlie Rowe as Hedwig — an identity with a childlike persona whose backstory references foster networks and youth organizations. - Matthew Modine in a cameo as a security guard who connects events to earlier incidents in Shyamalan's shared universe.
Production
Development originated after the commercial and critical trajectory of The Visit and discussions between M. Night Shyamalan and producer Jason Blum. Principal photography took place in and around Philadelphia with cinematographer Mike Gioulakis, employing tight-frame techniques reminiscent of earlier collaborations between Shyamalan and cinematographers on titles like The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable. Casting of James McAvoy followed his work in Atonement, X-Men: First Class, and Split's promotional strategy leaned on McAvoy's demonstrated range shown in films such as Glass (later). The score by West Dylan Thordson used motifs that paralleled themes in Unbreakable and the editing by Adam Gough emphasized abrupt cuts to denote identity switches. Production companies included Blumhouse Productions and Blinding Edge Pictures; distribution was handled by Universal Pictures.
Themes and analysis
Analysts have linked the film's portrayal of dissociative identity disorder to debates in psychiatric literature and legal case law referenced by characters like Dr. Fletcher. Themes include identity fragmentation, survival mechanisms rooted in childhood trauma, and the portrayal of heroism, invoking intertextuality with works such as Unbreakable and graphical narratives from Marvel Comics and DC Comics mythos. Critics compared the film's suspense techniques to those used in Psycho-era thrillers and explored ethical concerns regarding representation raised in academic discussions at institutions like Columbia University and Yale University law and psychology forums. The movie's tension between realism and mythmaking prompted discourse in periodicals such as The New York Times and The Guardian.
Release and reception
Universal Pictures released the film in 2016, with advance screenings at festivals and theatrical rollouts in markets including Los Angeles and New York City. Critical reception was mixed to positive: reviewers praised McAvoy's performance and Shyamalan's direction while some mental health advocates and journalists from outlets like Variety and Rolling Stone criticized diagnostic representation. The film earned nominations and mentions in ceremonies such as the Saturn Awards and sparked commentary on social platforms including Twitter and Reddit.
Box office
Produced on a budget estimated at $9 million, the film grossed approximately $278 million worldwide. Strong domestic opening weekends in the United States contrasted with variable international performance in territories like United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan. Box office analysts from firms like Box Office Mojo and The Numbers highlighted the film as a commercial success for Blumhouse Productions.
Legacy and connections to Unbreakable universe
Split retroactively established continuity with Unbreakable through a surprise post-credits scene linking characters and themes, setting up a crossover with Shyamalan's earlier work. This connective tissue culminated in the sequel Glass, which assembled figures from Unbreakable and Split and premiered at festivals associated with institutions such as Sundance Film Festival and Cannes for industry discourse. The film's integration into a broader shared universe influenced studio strategies for mid-budget genre films and inspired scholarly panels at American Film Institute events.
Category:2016 films Category:Films directed by M. Night Shyamalan Category:Blumhouse Productions films