Overview
A chilling exploration of the human psyche and the darkness that lurks within.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- tense
- oppressive
- eerie
- late night horror viewing
- thriller movie night
What critics said
Critics generally found the thriller effective and McAvoy's shape-shifting performance compelling, while viewing the premise and thematic treatment as uneven.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
James McAvoy shifts among Kevin's distinct personalities, making each change in demeanor alter the immediate threat.
Casey's history of abuse informs her observant, hardened response to abduction and danger.
Kevin's twenty-fourth identity threatens to dominate the other personalities as the internal compartments break down.
Casey, Claire, and Marcia are held in enclosed spaces while shifting personalities intensify the survival situation.
Films like Split, and why
The Silence of the Lambs
shared psychological horror, captivity thriller tension, and a central antagonist whose identity is concealed behind shifting personas
The Sixth Sense
shared contained suspense, unreliable appearances, traumatic backstory, and a late-reveal structure
10 Cloverfield Lane
shared abduction premise, teenage protagonists, stalking menace, and escalating survival horror
Identity
shared identity instability, supernatural-tinged thriller elements, and a dramatic performance built around fractured selves
Movie Details
- Director
- M. Night Shyamalan
- Release Date
- 2017-01-19
- Runtime
- 117 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (18668)
Cast
- James McAvoy
- Anya Taylor-Joy
- Haley Lu Richardson
- Jessica Sula
- Betty Buckley
- Izzie Coffey
- Brad William Henke
- Sebastian Arcelus
- Neal Huff
- Ukee Washington
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Split about?
- A kidnapped teenager must outthink a captor whose competing identities are collapsing toward a terrifying new force.
- What is Split like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Split as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Split violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Split as moderate.
- What did critics think of Split?
- Critics generally found the thriller effective and McAvoy's shape-shifting performance compelling, while viewing the premise and thematic treatment as uneven.
- Which films are like Split?
- Films with a similar feel include The Silence of the Lambs, The Sixth Sense, 10 Cloverfield Lane, and Identity.
- How long is Split?
- Split runs 117 minutes.
- Where can I watch Split?
- In United States, Split streams on Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus.
