Split
Movie, 2016, The hidden sequel, Set in Philadelphia, 15 years later
Split is #2 of 3 in release order and #2 of 3 in chronological order in the Eastrail 177 Trilogy.
The story
Though Kevin has evidenced 23 personalities to his trusted psychiatrist, Dr. Fletcher, there remains one still submerged who is set to materialize and dominate all the others. Compelled to abduct three teenage girls led by the willful, observant Casey, Kevin reaches a war for survival among all of those contained within him — as well as everyone around him — as the walls between his compartments shatter apart.
Split recap
Split (2016) follows three teenage girls abducted outside a Philadelphia birthday party by a man who carries 23 separate personalities. M. Night Shyamalan wrote, directed and produced it; it premiered at Fantastic Fest in September 2016 and opened in January 2017. Kevin Wendell Crumb (James McAvoy) holds Casey Cooke (Anya Taylor-Joy), Claire and Marcia in a windowless underground space. Two of his identities, the controlling Dennis and the prim Patricia, have pushed the others aside, and with the nine-year-old Hedwig they prepare for a 24th, the Beast. Casey, an outsider with her own history of abuse by her uncle, tries to play the alters against each other. Kevin's psychiatrist Dr. Karen Fletcher (Betty Buckley) notices Dennis pretending to be the alter Barry and grows convinced that personalities can change the body. She visits him and finds one of the captives, and Dennis locks her up. Plays as a standalone thriller until the final scene, which reveals it follows Unbreakable.
Split ending explained
Split ends with the Beast emerging, killing Dr. Fletcher, Claire and Marcia, and cornering Casey, then sparing her when he sees the scars of her abuse, calling her pure. She is found the next morning in tunnels under the Philadelphia Zoo, hesitant as her uncle arrives. In a diner, a news report calls the killer the Horde, and a waitress recalls a wheelchair-bound criminal with a similar nickname; David Dunn, sitting at the counter, supplies it: Mr. Glass. Glass followed in 2019.
Post-credits scenes
No. Split has no mid- or post-credits scene; the David Dunn reveal comes just before the credits.
Where to watch Split
Split is streaming on Netflix and YouTube (free) in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.3/10, Rotten Tomatoes 79%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Unbreakable, before Glass.
- Chronological order: after Unbreakable, before Glass.
What to watch before Split
Unbreakable (2000), which Split (2016) continues.
Cast
- James McAvoy as Dennis / Patricia / Hedwig / The Beast / Kevin Wendell Crumb / Barry / Orwell / Jade
- Anya Taylor-Joy as Casey Cooke
- Haley Lu Richardson as Claire Benoit
- Jessica Sula as Marcia
- Betty Buckley as Dr. Karen Fletcher
- Izzie Coffey as Five-Year-Old Casey
- Brad William Henke as Uncle John
- Sebastian Arcelus as Casey's Father
- Neal Huff as Mr. Benoit
- Ukee Washington as News Anchor
- Ann Wood as Game Show Enthusiast
- Robert Michael Kelly as Joe
Directed by M. Night Shyamalan.