Anya Taylor-Joy Split performance played a pivotal role in restoring M. Night Shyamalan’s standing in Hollywood following a challenging period in the director’s career. The psychological thriller Split, released in 2016, brought together Taylor-Joy, James McAvoy, and a compelling story that resonated with audiences and critics alike, reshaping the trajectory for both its lead actress and its director.
Anya Taylor-Joy’s Performance Stands Out in a Varied Career
Anya Taylor-Joy has quickly established herself as one of the most notable talents in film, assembling a résumé filled with unique and dynamic characters. From embodying the formidable Illyana Rasputin in The New Mutants, contributing to Robert Eggers’ harsh and immersive world in The Northman, to facing culinary terror in The Menu, Taylor-Joy demonstrates remarkable versatility. As she prepares to reprise her voice role as Princess Peach in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, her influence on recent cinema is unmistakable. Among these roles, her portrayal of Casey Cooke in Split is especially significant, marking a turning point not only in her career but also for director M. Night Shyamalan.
Shyamalan Faces Professional Turbulence Before Split’s Success
Split arrived at a moment when M. Night Shyamalan’s reputation was under strain. Earlier successes like The Sixth Sense and Signs were celebrated for their innovative twists and emotional storytelling. However, subsequent projects such as The Last Airbender and After Earth fell short critically and struggled at the box office, also impacting the reputations of collaborators like Will Smith. Facing limited opportunities and waning audience trust, Shyamalan needed to reestablish his directorial identity. Split provided that opportunity by realigning him with the suspense and character-driven narratives for which he was originally recognized.
Intense Characters and Dynamic Performances Anchor the Film
Split follows teenagers Casey (Anya Taylor-Joy), Claire (Haley Lu Richardson), and Marcia (Jessica Sula) as they are abducted by Kevin Wendell Crumb (James McAvoy), a man suffering from dissociative identity disorder. McAvoy’s portrayal of Kevin and his numerous personalities brought layers and complexity, while Taylor-Joy matched that intensity as Casey, grounding her character in shared trauma and survival instincts. Their interactions, which delve into the psychological scars left by abusive parents, forged a compelling dynamic that intensifies the film’s underlying tension. Despite criticisms from mental health professionals about the depiction of dissociative disorders, both McAvoy’s and Taylor-Joy’s performances were widely acknowledged for their authenticity and emotional depth.
A Pivotal Twist Ties Split to Shyamalan’s Earlier Universe
As Split culminates, Casey escapes Kevin’s grasp—the monstrous personality known as The Beast spares her, viewing her as “pure” because of her past suffering. This ending not only delivers the suspense expected from a Shyamalan film but connects directly to his earlier work, Unbreakable. In a surprise twist, audiences witness the return of David Dunn (Bruce Willis), who solemnly references “Mister Glass”—a callback to his adversary Elijah Glass (Samuel L. Jackson) and the world of Unbreakable. This narrative bridge surprised many, revealing that Split and Unbreakable share a cinematic universe, with origins dating back much earlier than many viewers realized. Shyamalan explained this longstanding connection:
“Kevin Wendle Crumb was a part of the original, original script for Unbreakable. I pulled him out because it just wasn’t balancing right. But a bunch of the scenes that are in this movie, I wrote 15 years ago. They were as is. Patricia opening the door. Hedwig’s first scene. Those were all written already. And it’s literally from the same moment that I created all the characters, all three of those characters.”
– M. Night Shyamalan
The Enduring Impact of Taylor-Joy’s Work in Split
Taylor-Joy’s performance not only contributed meaningfully to the uneasy alliance and emotional core of Split, but also underscored the intensity and psychological drama that drew audiences in. The film’s success was instrumental in affirming her status as a rising star, distinguished by her commitment to complex, dramatic roles. At the same time, her role anchored the film emotionally, lending credibility and relatability to the chaos on screen.
By collaborating with established talents like James McAvoy and under the direction of Shyamalan, Taylor-Joy found herself at the heart of a pivotal Hollywood comeback. Though mental health professionals voiced concerns about the portrayal of dissociative identity disorder, both lead performances were broadly praised. The chemistry between Taylor-Joy’s Casey and McAvoy’s multifaceted Kevin Wendell Crumb stands out as a driving force in the movie’s acclaim.
Split’s Cast and Their Notable Roles
The main roles in Split reflect a carefully chosen ensemble. James McAvoy brings a remarkable range to his character Kevin Wendell Crumb, whose 24 personalities—including the terrifying Beast—demanded both physical and emotional versatility. Anya Taylor-Joy’s Casey Cooke forms the emotional center of the film, her quiet resilience and trauma providing subtle but powerful contrast to McAvoy’s relentless unpredictability. Supporting performances by Haley Lu Richardson as Claire and Jessica Sula as Marcia help round out the film’s tense, claustrophobic atmosphere, while the cameo from Bruce Willis links Split to a larger narrative legacy.
Legacy and Influence of ‘Split’ in Film
Anya Taylor-Joy’s Split performance not only helped revive Shyamalan’s filmmaking career but also elevated her profile, setting a new standard for intense, character-driven psychological thrillers. For Shyamalan, successfully tying Split to the world of Unbreakable recentered his reputation as a director capable of surprising and captivating audiences. Their combined efforts have influenced future collaborative storytelling, encouraging filmmakers to craft narratives that revisit and expand established cinematic universes. Both Taylor-Joy and Shyamalan now stand as creative forces to watch, with their work in Split highlighting how a single film can alter professional trajectories and reshape industry perceptions.
