Haters of this film know nothing about movies or thrillers

Rating: 8/10 (20 March 2018)

This movie is a splendid achievement on many levels. First of all it is a gripping plot that does not slack for even one moment. The initial realism that slowly transform into something surreal is nicely executed. I never considered McAvoy to be a serious talent. This movie changes that. His near perfect portrayal of many personalities of one individual is inspiring.
But the real brilliance of this film is at a deeper level. At its heart the movie is a fine study of Dissociative Identity Disorder. First, the conception is wonderful and one wonders how many personalities would the audience get to see. The number of personalities that we get to see are plenty and yet it does not go overboard in introducing too many personalities. I think this movie would be a source of inspiration for many filmmakers desiring to make films on this subject. In case you are interested in films exploring DID I suggest Peacock starring Cilian Murphy. That film is a very different take on the subject. Witnessing many different personalities of the protagonist, in Split, is emotionally moving every time a new identity is revealed.
The writing is top notch. The acting is engrossing. The art direction is superb. Costumes, lighting, sounds and yes the music, everything comes together to make a powerful cinematic experience. This is not one of your superficial thriller where it is merely a matter of survival of the innocent facing the wicked. The evil here is nuanced and immersing. Isn't that a treat?
One objection that can be made against the film is that the plot could have been tighter. But in that case, the story would have lost its meat. That is always the case with thrillers. If you do not watch movies to numb your brain and if you are looking for something that will stay with you after the movie has ended, this is a good one for you.