A welcome back to form

Rating: 7/10 (28 May 2018)

This review contains spoilers.
Split is directed by M. Night Shyamalan and stars James McAvoy and Anya Taylor Joy. The movie follows a group of young girls that are kidnapped by a man with multiple personalities. The man intends to sacrifice them to a rumored new personality named 'The Beast'.
Split is a welcome back to form for M. Night Shyamalan. The movie is much better written and directed than his recent movies. The dialogue is not as unintentionally hilarious as Shyamalan's previous movie, The Happening. Each of the characters feels important to the story and the direction of the movie feels unique like The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable. Split felt more accessible and unique more so than other Shyamalan flops. Although the movie is funny at times, these felt intentional and added to the character's backstory. I was riveted to watch more of the personalities.
James McAvoy is the stand-out actor here. He does a fantastic job as Kevin and all of his personalities. Each of them are distinct and even James McAvoy's body language is spot-on. I felt that all of the personalities acted appropriately. Each personality is portrayed well and both the acting and writing should be praised. The final reveal of 'The Beat' and that the movie is an indirect sequel to Unbreakable was well done. It was appropriate seeing the cameo of Bruce Willis as David Dunn. Anya Taylor-Joy does a good job as a damaged teenager. Her performance is not as overt as James McAvoy's and she does a good job with the role. She is out-shined by James McAvoy.
Overall, I would recommend Split. It is a tense movie with Shyamalan finally doing a good job.
Grade: B