Split (January 2017)

Official Australian release date: 26/1/17. Viewed: 28/1/17.

Director: M. Night Shyamalan

Actors: James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy, Betty Buckley, Hayley Lu Richardson

Genre: Thriller / Horror

Rating: M

‘Split’ refers to James McAvoy’s split personalities – or dissociative identity disorder (DID) – of which he has 23. He plays Barry, Hedwig, Kevin, Dennis, Patricia and a few others you get to see. The film wastes no time, with him abducting Casey (Taylor-Joy), Claire (Richardson) and Marcia (Sula) and they all wake up in a strange room. You’re then introduced to a few of his personalities – Dennis is mostly in charge – and they’re not all malevolent.

He also visits Dr Fletcher (Buckley), who genuinely tries to help him and slowly figures out it’s not Barry she’s been talking to, but Dennis. The girls try to escape, but are thwarted, as it becomes a race against time before “the beast” arrives. This ominous arrival drives the momentum and plot. It’s a little slow in parts, but keeps your interest throughout.

McAvoy is excellent, with his ability to change expressions, accents and mannerisms fantastic, and Taylor-Joy shows good depth too (Casey’s childhood is slowly revealed to give background). The final 20min is frenetic and the ending is both scary, creepy and well-handled – except perhaps for the final minute cameo. Good to see Shyamalan back.

Overall: Well-made creepy thriller.

Gav's Rating: 3.5 stars.