I don’t want to post any spoilers, but I am happy to announce that M Night Shyamalan has finally released a film that isn’t crap.
Which is awesome, because I feel like Shyamalan has so many great ideas… that never quite pan out in real-movie plot situations. I want Shymalan to succeed. He just… usually doesn’t for me.
Split stars James McAvoy (Professor X in the X-Men prequels) as a man with multiple personalities who kidnaps three teenage girls. Can they escape?
As I was watching this movie, I had the following 5 (non-spoiler) thoughts:
1. Apparently there’s nothing that can keep me from crushing on James McAvoy.
His character’s personalities include a pederast with OCD, a 9-year-old-boy, a gay fashion designer, and a very prim woman (above).
As each horror the character committed unfolded — and he’s definitely the antagonist — I thought “is this the final straw?”
It was never the final straw. The final straw may not exist.
2. Is Split Personality Disorder (Dissociative Identity Disorder) really a thing?
I couldn’t remember. Turns out no one’s 100% sure, and it’s, for the most part, not taken very seriously. This article does a nice job of talking about it. [Above graphic by Diana Dihaze.]
3. Teenage girls are the worst.
The protagonist (foreground) spends time locked in a room with two girls from her class (background). Their stupidity is profoundly well-written. They have this chipper “we can fix it!” gung-ho attitude toward their abduction that feels like an Oprah episode. Don’t worry: the main character tells them to stuff a sock in it.
4. Was The Happening really a thing?
It’s a movie about plants emitting a deadly toxin — then abruptly stopping for no reason.
How could the same writer/director make such varying films?
5. What’s the consensus on Shyamalan now? Am I going to get judged for liking this movie?
Split was interesting, surprising, and oddly funny. Definitely my favorite of his movies since 6th Sense — which was almost 2 decades ago.
Is he setting me up for more disappointment, or has he gotten his groove back?
Did any of you see the movie, Internet?
