I Watch Films: Split

Split
 
James Macavoy plays several characters suffering from dissociative identity disorder (DID), which is basically multiple personalities. The film is not generally considered a good representation. Each personality also has differing physical capabilities and body chemistry, something that his psychologist suggests may offer super-powers, though she doesn’t put it like that as it sounds nuts.

Anyway he kidnaps three girls and puts them in his lair under the zoo, where he works and lives. This is in order to bring forward the personality known as the Beast who has superpowers. The Beast intends to rid the world of the impure.

Kevin, his original personality was abused, and so was (is?) Cassy, one of the girls. Both lost their father*.

Perhaps of most interest is Macavoy playing several characters, changing his entire personality with the aid of a few props and technique, and occasionally not even the props. Also of interest is that it’s a supervillain origin story, tying into Unbreakable and the sequel, Glass.

Watch This: For a psychological horror that turns into a more visceral horror film with Macavoy doing a lot of acting work
Don’t Watch This: If one guy playing multiple people locking up girls sounds like a bad evening

* [SPOILERS] When the Beast sees Cassy’s self-harm scars he declares her one of the pure.