M. Night Shyamalan lives in my hometown. Every single fucking time a new one of his films is brought to my attention, I have to fight the urge to show up at his house and yell at him. Just chill with your millions, I think I’d say. And get a better editor!! I’m looking for employment! I’d shout with my fists in the air as his help ushers me off the property.
But it’s this time that I think he’s entertained a more thoughtful approach than his usual films. Eighth wonder of the world, James McAvoy, stars in the upcoming Split, a sequel to one of Shyamalan’s better received films, The Visit.
And it might have a lot to do with the casting decision of McAvoy. The Scottish-born actor has never taken to being the pretty boy and instead tries his luck in the industry at being some kind of Cillian Murphy type. In Split, McAvoy will be channeling his best deranged villain as Kevin, a dissociative identity disorder sufferer with 23–count ’em–23 distinct personalities.
One of those personalities hatches the idea to abduct three girls (Anya Taylor-Joy, Jessica Sula and Haley Lu Richardson) seemingly left for just a moment in an unlocked car. It becomes up to those three girls to manipulate Kevin while he’s in one of his more benign personality states.
Seems good. Seems to be returning to more Sixth Sense vibes, but if I know M. Night Shyamalan like I pretend to know his daughter that went to school down the street, I envision a flop.