"Split"- The M. Night Shyamalan we knew and loved is back with a vengeance! 'Split' is a taut and intense thriller!

Rating: 9/10 (27 January 2017)

Save for a few controversial political figures, fewer people have proved to be as divisive in recent years as the filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan. Though his career got off to a promising start with an excellent trilogy of thrillers including the iconic "Sixth Sense", underrated "Unbreakable" and heartfelt and frightening "Signs", he soon took a nosedive with a series of severe misjudgments and a string of critical failures. Whereas before 2004, his name piqued curiosity and excitement, for a time there, he became a small laughing stock. Thankfully, he's gone through something of a career-renaissance. Between his very decent television series "Wayward Pines", his entertaining 2015 found-footage horror-comedy "The Visit" and now his excellent new feature "Split", it appears that the M. Night we so fondly remember the same man who brought us that brilliant trilogy of films so many years ago is back with a vengeance!
"Split", a sort-of drama/thriller starring the excellent James McAvoy and wonderful newcomer Anya Taylor-Joy might just be one of his best films yet. It's a shocking return to form for Shyamalan, and it honestly came out of nowhere for me. I never gave up on him entirely even when his later films started to get progressively worse... but even I wasn't expecting "Split" to be just as good as it is. It's still early in the year, but I have my doubts that the year will produce any other thrillers that are just as deliciously creative, genuinely suspenseful, oftentimes hilarious and downright breathtaking as this film. Bravo, Mr. Shyamalan! Bravo.
We follow a trio of teenaged girls, including troubled outsider Casey (Taylor-Joy), who are kidnapped by a troubled man named Kevin (McAvoy) who suffers from Dissociative Idenity Disorder. With twenty-three identities inside of his mind, Kevin is completely unable to control his own body, which is being increasingly inhabited by a small group of corrupt and twisted personalities who tease the girls about the coming of a twenty-fourth personality known only as "The Beast." Casey, herself coming from a dark history, tries to assist the others in figuring out how to save themselves, all while Kevin's psychiatrist Dr. Karen Fletcher (Betty Buckley) becomes increasingly alarmed by his recent behavior.
To star, the cast is just phenomenal, and everyone is perfectly cast in their respective roles. Anya Taylor-Joy, who got her start in the excellent art-house horror feature "The Witch", makes for a remarkable protagonist who you can't help but root for. She has a talent far beyond her years, and it's going to be great fun seeing her career develop. Betty Buckley is wonderful as a brilliant psychiatrist whose goal is to help Kevin, even if she suspects there might be something sinister going on. She adds a great sense of class to the role and also helps to fill the audience in on the details and eccentricities of Kevin and his disorder. But of course, James McAvoy is the real standout here. The role of Kevin is one that if played poorly, could have destroyed the entire film. But McAvoy is absolutely stunning, and steals the show in virtually every scene. He perfectly balances his performance, and plays it just over-the-top enough that it works, while never becoming cartoony. Each of his "alters" feels like a unique role, and all of them elicit a different reaction from the viewer- whether it be the threat of the predatory "Dennis", the entertainment and sadness brought about by the childlike "Hedwig" or the likability of the dominant personality "Barry." Just an incredible, award-worthy turn from the excellent McAvoy.
Shyamalan is at the top of his game in regards to his writing and direction, and I actually found this one of his most ambitious and striking films to date. His script has a wonderful sense of pace and structure, doling out information at a deliberate but steady pace, allowing the pieces to organically fall into place. You'll always be at the edge of your seat. He's also thankfully dialed back quite a bit on the eccentric "quirky characters" and wonky dialog that have made his last few films somewhat unbearable, and it feels a bit more naturalistic as a result. In addition, I think his keen eye for visuals- which has always been one of his greatest strengths- is on full-display in this film. Despite being one of his lowest-budget features, the film is never anything less than slick and stylish, with the camera snaking along like a serpent ready to strike at any moment, and a chilling atmosphere of isolation and oppression established early on. This is also perfectly complimented by the moody and grungy soundtrack courtesy West Dylan Thordson, whose tones and themes match the picture perfectly.
And then there's the big finale. I won't spoil it, but suffice to say my jaw was literally on the floor for the rest of the day. Just an astonishing climax.
"Split" will no doubt go down as one of the most pleasant surprises of the year. It's a refreshing and much-needed return to form for director Shyamalan, and is definitely amongst his best work. It's thrilling. Exciting. Spellbinding. And incredibly eerie. While I did have some very minor issues with a few of the developments and the handling of a few key sequences, these faults were so small that they cannot detract from the otherwise completely enthralling experience. If you're one of those people who has dismissed Shyamalan's work or completely written him off, I beg you to give him another chance. Because "Split" is without question right up there with his excellent earlier work.
I give it a fantastic 9 out of 10!