Split 2
Split 2
Split 2
Shyamalan conceived the idea for Split years before he actually wrote the screenplay. He
explained, "In this case I had written the character a while ago, and I had written out a few
scenes of it, so I even had dialogue written out, which is really unusual for me. It sat there for a
long time, and I really don't have a clear reason why I didn't pull the trigger earlier. But this felt
like the perfect time to do it, with the type of movies I'm doing now, and the type of tones I am
interested in – humor and suspense."[4]
On October 2, 2015, James McAvoy was cast in the film to play the lead, replacing Joaquin
Phoenix.[5] On October 12, 2015, Anya Taylor-Joy, Betty Buckley, Jessica Sula, and Haley Lu
Richardson were added to the cast.[6] On October 27, 2015, Universal Pictures came on board to
release the film and titled it as Split.[7]
The character of Kevin had been in one of the early drafts of Shyamalan's Unbreakable, but he
had pulled the character out, stating there were balancing issues at that time. With Split, he
brought in some of the scenes he had written for Unbreakable around Kevin.[8] The film ends with
the appearance of Bruce Willis's character, David Dunn, from Unbreakable, who makes a
comment in reference to the previous film, placing Unbreakable and Split within the same
narrative universe. Shyamalan requested permission to incorporate the character from Walt
Disney Studios, which had produced Unbreakable.[9] Shyamalan met with Sean Bailey about the
use of the character; they came to a gentlemen's agreement where Bailey agreed to allow the
use of the character in the film without a fee and Shyamalan promised that Disney would be
involved in a sequel, if developed.[9] Shyamalan was very secretive of Willis' involvement in Split,
removing the final scene from the film for test audiences.[8][8]
Principal photography on the film began on November 11, 2015,
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[10][11] Reshoots occurred in June 2016.[12] During post-
production, Sterling K. Brown's role as Shaw, Dr. Fletcher's neighbor, was cut from the film, as
Shyamalan felt that his scenes were ultimately unnecessary.[13] McAvoy broke his hand in a
scene where he was supposed to punch a metal door, but missed the soft section of the door he
intended to hit.[14]
Release[edit]
Split had its world premiere at Fantastic Fest on September 26, 2016.[15] It also screened at
the AFI Fest on November 15, 2016.[16][17] The film was theatrically released on January 20, 2017,
in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada.[18]
Split was released on Digital HD on April 4, 2017, and Blu-ray, DVD and On-Demand on April 18,
2017, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.[19]
Box office[edit]
Split has grossed $138.1 million in the United States and Canada and $140.2 million in other
territories for a worldwide gross of $278.3 million, against a production budget of $9 million.[2]
In North America, the film was released alongside the openings of xXx: Return of Xander
Cage, The Resurrection of Gavin Stone and The Founder, as well as the wide expansions
of 20th Century Women, and was initially expected to gross $20–25 million from 3,038 theaters
in its opening weekend.[20] The film made $2 million from its Thursday night previews at 2,295
theaters, doubling the $1 million made by Shyamalan's The Visit in 2015, and $14.6 million on its
first day,[21] increasing weekend estimates to $30–37 million. It ended up opening to $40.2 million,
finishing first at the box office. In its second weekend the film made $26.3 million, again topping
the box office.[22] In its third week the film again topped the box office with $14.6 million, becoming
the first Shyamalan film to finish at number one for three straight weeks since The Sixth Sense in
1999.[23]
Critical response[edit]
On the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 75%, based
on 248 reviews, with an average rating of 6.4/10. The site's critical consensus states
"Split serves as a dramatic tour de force for James McAvoy in multiple roles – and finds writer-
director M. Night Shyamalan returning resoundingly to thrilling form."[24] Metacriticreports an
average score 62 out of 100, based on 47 critics, indicating "generally favorable
reviews".[25] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+
to F scale.[26]
Jordan Hoffman of The Guardian gave the film four stars out of five, stating it to be a "masterful
blend of Hitchcock, horror and therapy session."[27] Also writing for The Guardian, Steve Rose
had strong praise for McAvoy's role, saying that "he does a fine and fearless job of selling his
character's varied personae." He commended his ability to switch personalities in one scene
toward the end of the film, saying: "It's a little like the T-1000 at the end of Terminator 2. But
there are no special effects here, just acting."[28]
The film has been referred to as the first supervillain origin story; the first time a film has been
completely devoted to the origins of a villain as opposed to the origins of the superhero.[29][30]
Accolades[edit]
Date of
Award Category Recipient(s) Result Ref(s)
ceremony
Young
Anya Taylor-Joy (also
London Film January 22, British/Irish [31]
for Morgan and The Nominated
Critics' Circle 2017 Performer of the
Witch)
Year
MTV Movie
Best Actor in a
& TV May 7, 2017 James McAvoy Nominated
Movie
Awards
Controversy[edit]
Split garnered controversy for its alleged stigmatization of mental illness.[33] The Australian mental
health charity SANE stated, "Films like this are going to reinforce a false stereotypical notion that
people living with complex mental illnesses are inherently dangerous and
violent."[34] The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociationissued a statement
debunking the stereotype of dangerous dissociative identity disorder (DID) patients, and
criticizing how the film was made "at the expense of a vulnerable population that struggles to be
recognized and receive the effective treatment that they deserve."[35] Some with dissociative
identity disorder spoke out against the film (and its marketing) for the representation of multiple
personalities as frightening and/or violent, including in an open letter to the director.[36][37]
Sequel[edit]
Main article: Glass (2019 film)
Shyamalan expressed hope for a third installment following Split, saying, "I hope [a
third Unbreakable film happens]. The answer is yes. I'm just such a wimp sometimes. I don't
know what's going to happen when I go off in my room, a week after this film opens, to write the
script. But I'm going to start writing. [I have] a really robust outline, which is pretty intricate. But
now the standards for my outlines are higher. I need to know I've won already. I'm almost there
but I'm not quite there."[38] He explained that the final scene from Split was David's realization that
Mr. Glass from the first film was right; there are superpowered people in the world.[39] Disney,
which produced Unbreakable through its Touchstone Picturesdivision, is expected to be a
production partner and have financial participation with Universal for the sequel.[9]
After positive reviews of Split and its critical and financial success, it was confirmed by
Shyamalan that his next film will be the sequel film that follows the Unbreakable-Split narrative,
the final part of the "Eastrail 177 Trilogy" [40][41][42][43] In April 2017, Shyamalan revealed that he was
nearing completion on the script for the next film.[44] On April 26, 2017, Shyamalan revealed on
his Twitter page that the script was completed, and that the sequel will be titled Glass,[45][46] which
is scheduled to be released on January 18, 2019.[47]
The cast will include returning actors from both films: Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, Spencer
Treat Clark, and Charlayne Woodard from Unbreakable and James McAvoy and Anya Taylor-
Joy from Split will all reprise their respective roles in Glass.[47][48] Sarah Paulson will be joining the
cast as a new character.[49] The film will focus on Dunn (Willis) chasing down Crumb (McAvoy) in
his Beast persona, when Mr. Glass (Jackson) is revealed to have masterminded events to both
men.[48]
Following a week of rehearsals, principal production commenced on October 2, 2017
in Philadelphia.[50]
References[edit]
1. Jump up^ "Split (15)". British Board of Film Classification. November 29, 2016.
Retrieved November 29, 2016.
2. ^ Jump up to:a b c "Split (2017)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
3. Jump up^ Grove, David. "Split Down the Middle: M. Night Shyamalan's Split Balances Studio
Know-How With Indie Innovation". MovieMaker. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
4. Jump up^ McKittrick, Christopher (January 20, 2017). ""Power comes from writing." M. Night
Shyamalan on Split". CreativeScreenwriting.com. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
5. Jump up^ Jaafar, Ali (October 2, 2015). "James McAvoy In Talks To Replace Joaquin Phoenix In
M. Night Shyamalan's New Film". deadline.com. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
6. Jump up^ Kroll, Justin (October 12, 2015). "M. Night Shyamalan Thriller Starring James McAvoy
Adds Four (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
7. Jump up^ McNary, Dave (October 27, 2015). "M. Night Shyamalan's Next Movie Titled 'Split,' Set
for January, 2017 Release". Variety. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
8. ^ Jump up to:a b c Couch, Aaron (January 22, 2017). "'Split': M. Night Shyamalan Explains an
Ending Years in the Making". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
9. ^ Jump up to:a b c Guerrasio, Jason (February 16, 2017). "How 'Split' pulled off its incredible twist
ending — and where it goes next". Business Insider. Retrieved February 18, 2017.
10. Jump up^ "M. Night Shyamalan Movie To Block Bike Lanes Next Week". bicyclecoalition.org.
November 6, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
11. Jump up^ "M. Night Shyamalan's 'Split', starring James McAvoy, filming locations in
Philadelphia". onlocationvacations.com. November 12, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
12. Jump up^ "Instagram". Instagram. June 8, 2016. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
13. Jump up^ 'Frosty Weintraub', Steve (January 17, 2017). "M. Night Shyamalan on His 3-Hour Cut
of 'Split' and Why Sterling K. Brown's Role Was Cut". Collider.com. Retrieved January 17,2017.
14. Jump up^ McDonald, Toby (20 November 2016). "James McAvoy reveals he broke his hand
while shooting latest film Split but carried on like a trooper". Daily Record. Retrieved 4
December 2017.
15. Jump up^ Rife, Katie (September 27, 2016). "James McAvoy and M. Night Shyamalan crash
Fantastic Fest with Split". The AV Club. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
16. Jump up^ "M. Night Shyamalan's SPLIT Added to AFI FEST 2016". AFI Fest. October 28, 2016.
Retrieved November 8, 2016.
17. Jump up^ "Split". AFI Fest. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
18. Jump up^ Sharf, Zack (October 26, 2016). "'Split' Trailer: M. Night Shyamalan Unleashes 23
Different Versions Of James McAvoy In Wild Kidnapping Thriller". Indiewire.com.
Retrieved November 8, 2016.
19. Jump up^ "Split DVD Release Date April 18, 2017". DVDs Release Dates. Retrieved October
22,2017.
20. Jump up^ "'Split' And 'xXx' Merge Into Market While 'The Founder' May Get Lost In Heavy Traffic
– Box Office Preview". Deadline.com.
21. Jump up^ "'Split' Hauls in $2 Million from Thursday Previews, 'xXx 3' Delivers $1.2M". Box Office
Mojo.
22. Jump up^ "Is Controversy Impacting 'A Dog's Purpose' At The Box Office?". Deadline.com.
23. Jump up^ "'Split' Dings 'Rings'; Auds Keep Distance From 'Space'; 'Comedian' Bombs: Sunday
Update". Deadline.com.
24. Jump up^ "Split (2017)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
25. Jump up^ "Split Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
26. Jump up^ CinemaScore on Twitter (January 20, 2017). "Split". Retrieved April 10, 2017.
27. Jump up^ "Split review – James McAvoy is 23 shades of creepy in M Night Shyamalan chiller -
Film - The Guardian". Retrieved October 1, 2016.
28. Jump up^ Rose, Steve (January 12, 2017). "From Split to Psycho: why cinema fails dissociative
identity disorder". The Guardian. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
29. Jump up^ "Glass Sequel Unbreakable and Split in Production," GQ
30. Jump up^ Outlaw, Kofi. "Split movie Kevin-original Unbreakable Script," comicbook.com (January
23, 2017).
31. Jump up^ "'Moonlight' and 'Love and Friendship' Lead London Film Critics' Circle
Nominations". Variety. December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 20, 2016.
32. Jump up^ McNary, Dave (March 2, 2017). "Saturn Awards Nominations 2017: 'Rogue One,'
'Walking Dead' Lead". Variety. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
33. Jump up^ Rose, Steve (January 12, 2017). "From Split to Psycho: why cinema fails dissociative
identity disorder". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
34. Jump up^ "Split labelled 'gross parody' of mental illness". ABC News. January 20, 2017.
Retrieved January 23, 2017. - WebCite
35. Jump up^ "ISSTD Statement on "Split"" (PDF). isst-d.org. January 2017. Retrieved January
27,2017.
36. Jump up^ "A Letter to M. Night Shyamalan, About the Dangerous Stereotypes in His New Film
'Split'". The Mighty. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
37. Jump up^ "Open Letter to the Director". The Movie "Split" Hurts Us All. December 28, 2016.
Retrieved January 28, 2017.
38. Jump up^ Joe McGovern (January 20, 2017). "Split spoiler: M. Night Shyamalan breaks down
film's shock ending". Retrieved January 20, 2017.
39. Jump up^ "What The Split And Unbreakable Crossover Might Actually Be
About". cinemablend.com. February 7, 2017. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
40. Jump up^ "M. Night Shyamalan says next movie will be follow-up to Split". blastr.com. January
23, 2017. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
41. Jump up^ "Split sequel already in the works, says M. Night Shyamalan". independent.co.uk.
February 7, 2017. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
42. Jump up^ Shoard, Catherine (February 6, 2017). "Split sequel confirmed by M Night Shyamalan".
Retrieved April 25, 2017 – via The Guardian.
43. Jump up^ CNN, Lisa Respers France. "'Split' sequel confirmed by M. Night
Shyamalan". cnn.com. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
44. Jump up^ "M. Night Shyamalan Teases Terrifying Ending to Split Sequel". comicbook.com.
Retrieved April 25, 2017.
45. Jump up^ "M. Night Shyamalan on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
46. Jump up^ "M. Night Shyamalan on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
47. ^ Jump up to:a b "The Unbreakable And Split Crossover Movie Reveals Official Title And Four
Stars". April 26, 2017.
48. ^ Jump up to:a b Kit, Broys (September 21, 2017). "M. Night Shyamalan's 'Glass' Adds
'Unbreakable' Actors". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
49. Jump up^ "Sarah Paulson Joins M. Night Shyamalan's 'Glass'". July 24, 2017.
50. Jump up^ "M. Night Shyamalan's 'Glass' Starts Filming". collider.com. October 2, 2017.
Retrieved October 22, 2017.
External links[edit]
Official website
Split on IMDb
Split at AllMovie
[hide]
Film portal
Philadelphia portal