Director: M Night Shyamalan

Cast: James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy, Haley Lu Richardson, Kim Director, Sebastian Arcelus, Jessica Sula

Rating: 15

Running Time: 117 Minutes

Release Date: 20/01/17

If I weren’t such a horror fan I might be less inclined to like SPLIT. I might even be less inclined to like Shyamalan himself, whose previous ‘return to form’ was the creepy and thrilling THE VISIT and who before had stumbled through over a decade of terrible schlock.

Like THE VISIT before it, SPLIT has its flaws and some unfortunate leaning on uncomfortable horror tropes, yet clearly made by somebody who knows what they’re doing. It’s smart of Shyamalan to return to his roots, focusing on stripped down thrillers instead of big budget silliness. It’s the sort of film that made him famous and it’s nice to see him back on form here.

However, many would say that despite his auterial influence, this is McAvoy’s film. His performance, or rather performances, are magnetic. Not just individually creepy or menacing but with the ability to shift between them being both remarkably slick and uncomfortable. His command of his every facial expression completely buries himself into the role and I genuinely had no problem completely believing his part.

Split review

The film is flawed but it’s McAvoy who nails it, enjoying himself but sinking his teeth into even the most physically demanding scenes. His latter in the film performance, the 24th personality known only as The Beast, makes me worry that he’ll burst a blood vessel as it the wiry toughness of the film.

However, all great thrillers need a hero and Anya Taylor-Joy as Casey, of last year’s excellent THE WITCH, brings great depth to the role. Getting captured by Dennis, one of McAvoy’s more unstable personalities, Casey is an introverted sort with a past of family abuse which isolates her from the other two. It enables her to plot her escape, not by fighting to get out, but by connecting with the more seemingly innocent personality of Hedwig, a nine-year-old boy.

The film unfolds with standard fare, building towards a more philosophical, fantasy driven conclusion and it all pretty much works. The times where things seem to drag are during the trips to the psychiatrist which see her get drawn into the world of Kevin and his multiple personalities. All of it to give the film a deeper meaning, particularly that of the power of the human mind, despite its occasionally clunky line of dialogue.

Split review

Shyamalan directs with flair and ingenuity, using the small local to really ratchet up the tension. Whilst the thumping music builds suspense to its gonzo conclusion as it barrels along.

There’s also a number of frightening and chilling imagery, particularly as McAvoy inhabits the 24th personality. All of it works really well but it’s the final shot, which takes the standard Shyamalan twist to a whole new level, that will have you leave the cinema open mouthed.

It’s this final implication that sets the film apart.

All in all, SPLIT is a film that will definitely make an impression, even if some of its cheesier elements may make you wish Shyamalan had shaken off all of his bad tendencies. James McAvoy is doing career-best work whilst Anya Taylor-Joy establishes herself as a new horror icon.

It’s a creepy, frightening, well made, hella entertaining ride and that final shot is a doozy.

Verdict

 

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