Review: Split
Going into the film Split I knew very little - to the point when all the previews were for horror films I had to apologize for anything about to happen to my horror hating companion. Thankfully it was a thriller as advertised with minimal jump scares (though not none). All I did know going in was that James McAvoy played a man with DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder, more commonly but incorrectly known as multiple personality disorder). I did not know that it was written and directed by the reputation Ferris Wheel that is M. Night Shyamalan – his seat on the wheel is currently on the way up it seems. The Shyamalan fact popping up on the screen in the beginning did make me nervous but overall I ended up enjoying the movie – but it’s no Sixth Sense.
“I see a director who has never been able to reach his former glory”
The story opens with one of the main character’s identities, Dennis, kidnapping three teenage girls and moves forward from there with the ‘good’ identities attempting to reach out to their therapist and Dennis repeatedly impersonating a benign identity Barry when actually meeting with her. Obviously the movie is a constant will they/won’t they in regards to escape for the girls and the looming threat of ‘The Beast’ coming, the elusive 24th identity that the therapist doesn’t believe is real.
First in regards to the functions of the film in general there were a lot of good points. Namely McAvoy’s acting as up to 23 different identities throughout the film, including as previously mentioned playing a personality acting as another. The quick changes between the many are also a mean feat that he appears to have handles with ease. Though as my trusty companion noted, once or twice it was a little…Smeagley. Though in my opinion that doesn’t mean bad acting, just unoriginal directing.
These shots don't do it justice, just sayin'
Now when it comes to directing the movie was pretty good. Shyamalan was able to build tension well and many of his shots were meant to put you in the mindset of the captured girls and specifically the ‘main’ girl quietly played by Anya Taylor-Joy, and in this attempt he most often succeeded. As in the Smeagley scenes the directing is a little predictable but not without some finesse.
However when it comes to the writing, there is a little to be desired. The sub-plot (if you can call it that) is the slow reveal of Taylor-Joy’s past which most of which you figure out within the first flashback. I still won’t reveal the details, but while it minorly informs the plot, her behavior and possibly only two of the 6-8 flashbacks would give you the same information. Though it did lead to a scene that I found very powerful – all I will say is that it involves a young girl holding a shotgun, and I really felt that scene.
I’ve read some reviews for the film that are very mixed but two things stuck out in those that I will address. One referred to the girls that aren’t Casey (Taylor-Joy) as whiney victims. I actually strongly disagree. They are more vocal than our depressed Casey, but they are actively and consistently trying to find a way out and refusing to give up. While some of their plans are a little hasty and without thought, I found it admirable that they never gave up.
Not the best screenshot for my point but they beg Casey to help them fight their way out, not the other way around – just sayin’ again.
The other thing that I found were a few reviews railing on the film’s treatment of DID. This is something that was discussed after seeing the movie with my companion Heather. In most cinematic cases of DID there is always not just a ‘negative’ personality but usually a violent one that commits murder, rape or other atrocities that the original personality does not agree with. SPOILER ALERT for those who don’t want some endings spoiled: Secret Window, Fight Club, Identity, Hide and Seek, etc all have characters with DID that have violent or violence inducing and law breaking personalities. In 3 out of the 4 I mentioned, they also have DID presenting well into adulthood which is also quite uncommon. The question I suppose is if a person with DID would find this highly offensive, which I do think is likely.
If you’re interested in a more nuanced depiction of DID without a violent psychopath and with a good amount of dramedy, watch United States of Tara.
However I will say that I don’t believe these films intend to display those with DID as dangerous in this way. The intention I believe (though it could easily be considered in poor taste) is both a fascination with the disorder as well as a general fear of our own nature. While this seems a distasteful comparison it’s what attracts us to werewolf, vampire and even zombie stories. Society requires us to suppress our more negative urges in order to function, in society Bruce Banner is not only functional but beneficial with his research and dedication to science, but we don’t really like him when he’s angry. Though it is sort of a freeing notion isn’t it? Not only do you get to express your rage, hate or devious desires, but you’re not blamed because it wasn’t ‘you’. Now in real life this is of course called into question with various legal systems and the controversy over whether or not DID actually exists. Not to mention the time loss; and I can’t know for sure, but not remembering that you did something that you may have wanted to do deep down likely doesn’t actually satisfy the desire. Banner doesn’t feel good after he hulks out, just confused and guilty.
And me Bruce, I love you too.
Though this is all speculation on my part, I still rather insensitively enjoy all of the movies I mentioned that ‘mis’represent those with DID, though I am a little tired of the twist reveal, ‘it was them the whole time! ‘Cause out of nowhere in your 40s you’ve developed a Mr. Hyde personality to carry out all of your negative desires!’ It gets repetitive after a while.
However since this movie doesn’t resort to that ending and is exploring the world of DID in more of an almost supernatural way, at least it doesn’t repeat this same ‘twist’ ending. Strange for a Shyamalan film eh?
In the end, in rather poor taste, I’ll give this movie 18 personalities out of 24 (More realistically 7 our of 10). If you want to read about depictions of DID in film/TV and their accuracy try this article.
What is your favourite DID depiction. Have an opinion on the disorder’s validity? Leave it in the comments!