MOVIE REVIEW: Split divides audiences

DIRECTOR M Night Shyamalan has had a rollercoaster career. From the highs of ‘The Sixth Sense’ to the lows of ‘The Last Airbender’, he has endured more ups and downs than most. 

So much so that the very mention of ‘M Night’ has been enough to send shivers down the corporate spines of studio marketing departments everywhere. But the man is back, and so is his name, big and bold, front and centre of the poster for his new movie, ‘Split’. 

The film tells the story of Kevin (played by James McAvoy) who suffers from dissociative identity disorder and evidences 23 different personalities. It explores the popular theory that certain people who suffer from this complaint have been known to manifest unique physical attributes for each personality. Kevin’s trusted psychiatrist, Dr Fletcher, is up to the challenge presented by her unstable patient, but even she is wary of one character who remains submerged, set to materialise and dominate all the others. 

Compelled by one of his personalities to abduct three teenage girls and keep them hostage in a dingy basement, Kevin engages in a war for survival among all those competing voices in his head.

The movie has a strong opening that grabs you out of the gates and McAvoy’s performance, where he switches seamlessly and with lightening speed between characters is enough to keep you engaged. There really isn’t anyone else who could play this role, or should that be roles, with such ease and believability. The many scenes involving teenage girls wandering around a basement in their underwear feels a little creepy, but I suppose it’s justified by the story. 

The only point where this movie falls apart is the ending, when credibility issues arise concerning the almost superhuman powers Kevin can manifest under extreme pressure. 

If that doesn’t trouble you too much, then there is a lot to enjoy here, with a special cameo right at the end for fans of M Night’s previous work. We score ‘Split’ a decent, 3 out of 5 stars.

Other releases:

‘Jackie’ – 3.5 stars.

Paul O’Rourke