‘Split’ has James McAvoy playing Kevin, diagnosed with a dissociative identity disorder and assuming 23 apparent identities — as Barry, as Patricia, or as the lisping 9-year-old Hedwig.  As Dennis, he attacks the father of Claire (Haley Lu Richardson), before driving off with the girl and her two teenaged colleagues Marcia and Casey (Jessica Sula and Anya Taylor-Joy). Held captive in an unidentified underground location, the film progress in search of Kevin’s yet unrevealed 24^th identity ‘The Beast’ (the nomenclature says it all), which will eventually override the previously known 23.

Dr. Karen Fletcher (Betty Buckley), Kevin’s therapist, has a vague idea of her patient’s weird mental make-up and identity.  But she also believes that such patients, though dangerous, can be turned around. Kevin initially had visited her as Barry, a fashion designer.

There is nothing exceptional in Shyamalan’s ‘Split’, apart from a flawless performance by  James McAvoy playing the various characters, collectively known as ‘The Horde’. The viewer is shown only a half dozen or so of the 23 alter egos.  We are shown, in flashback, Casay’s memories of being abused by her uncle in childhood, an uncle who will later be her guardian. Perhaps, that is the reason, she makes no overt attempt to escape her deranged captor, preferring instead to learn more about him and trying to outwit him. The film’s more engaging moments are the interaction between Kevin, as the fashion designer and his psycho–analyst Dr. Flecther.

One of Shyamlan’s favourite films, admittedly, is Hitchcock’s Psycho. There is also a covert reference to ‘Rear Window’.  No wonder then, that the director, as was his master’s wont, does cameos in most of his films.  Here too, he plays Jai, assisting Dr. Fletcher sift through CCTV footage of Kevin.

For Shyamalan’s fans and for those who like ‘Split’ and have seen one of his earlier films, the film’s denouement holds abundant promise of a sequel.