entertaining old school suspense

Rating: 7/10 (1 April 2017)

I don't know why the movie is getting so much hate. I have usually found something in all of M Night's movies that I have liked whether from the acting, directing, writing or musical score. Unbreakable, Signs, The Village and Lady in the Water are actually favourites of his. I even found the concept of The Happening interesting even if it wasn't conveyed well.
I was ready to give up after Devil, The Last Airbender and After Earth but with the release of The Visit I was ready to jump back in and I am glad I did. Both The Visit and Split are getting back to the roots of story telling. Forgoing big budget and special effects for a simpler more suspenseful atmosphere.
Obviously as has been stated McAvoy is fantastic. Totally disarming and chilling at the same time. I also found Anya Taylor Joy did an amazing.
Other reviewer have wondered at Anya flashbacks as having nothing to do with the movie. I disagree. Her flashbacks show she is a survivor, a fighter. Its the reason she doesn't crumble. She has already faced a monster and she is still alive. People are also wondering why she just didn't show her scars when McAvoy was talking about them being 'pure' and he would have let her go. Once again her back story is important. She has spent the last 10+ years of her life hiding her scars and hiding what is being done to her. Sharing them just doesn't occur to her.
Many people are also stating this is putting people with DID in a bad light or putting mental illness back in the dark ages. To that I say this is a movie, not a documentary. I would actually be more upset with the movies based on Ed Gein or Jeffrey Dahmer except I realise there is still a difference with people who have a mental illness and people who are serial killers. The two are not mutually exclusive and believing they are is a disservice to people with a mental illness.
Lastly the ending. I loved it. It actually wasn't a surprise because if you listen to the doctor her whole thesis is that a person presenting with 'Split' personalities can evolve into more. The word 'supernatural' is used throughout the movie. If you know and like M Night you could see where it was going.
The only thing I have missed in the last two movies has been the musical score that gives you goosebumps. Thats OK though. I understand why he has chosen to do that and will look forward to watching what he comes up with in the future.