McAvoy masterclass

Rating: 7/10 (21 March 2018)

Three young women are kidnapped by Kevin, a young man suffering from a split personality disorder that means 23 different personalities inhabit his mind, emerging one at a time when they have control of 'the light.' The story world is convincing and information is drip-fed to the audience at a suitable pace, the active question being "What does he want with these women?" McAvoy excels in an incredibly demanding role. Dennis, Patricia and other characters are evoked not only through voice and physicality, but in a simple yet decisive change of facial expression. McAvoy's performance alone makes this worth watching, but Shyamalan gets the writing and direction right this time round, as well as the casting. There is a nice little self-aware nod to his own past successes at the end. Well-plotted, well-acted, and thoroughly enjoyable, this is the Shyamalan of Unbreakable and Sixth Sense doing what he does best.