SPLIT
Director/writer M. Night Shyamalan returns with a chilling and disturbing slice of psychological horror. James McAvoy's brilliant portrayal of a man suffering from Dissociative Identity Disorder is the reason to see this film. Bouncing back and forth between personalities, at one point in rapid succession, has to be seen to be believed. Unfortunately, the plot's unfolding doesn't live up to his performance. Chief among the supporting cast is Anya Taylor-Joy ("The Witch") as an abused teen who finds
the strength to face terror. Haley Lu Richardson and Jessica Sula play endangered young girls to perfection. Betty Buckley, remembered from TV's "Eight is Enough", has a pivotal role as Kevin's psychiatrist Dr. Karen Fletcher. Aiming to become the new master of suspense, Shyamalan gives himself a cameo in true Hitchcock style. But the tension of the hostage situation comes to a grinding halt when the focus is on the doctor visits and the movie goes on too long. An appropriately eerie music score by West Dylan Thordson adds to the creepiness. There's a very surprising twist at the end, but it feels tacked on. While it's not in the same league as "The Sixth Sense", "Split" isn't half bad. (3 CAMS)
Rated PG-13 / Running Time: 117 minutes
