James McAvoy in a dress. Twist! Sold!
Twist-master M. Night Shyamalan is back and if you didn’t expect to see this twist coming, neither did we.
Split, releasing in theaters January 20, 2017, tells the tale of “Kevin,” a charming fellow who’s personal quirk is that he carries 24 personalities around in his head. And one of them, at least, is an individual who abducts and detains teenage girls in some sort of wonderfully creepy basement, subterranean, or sewer lair, a la the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (hey, they definitely abduct April in at least one version of their tale!).
The trailer does a great job of building intrigue and suspense while simultaneously not reminding us to remember some of M. Night’s less than favorably received films. It touts The 6th Sense, Unbreakable, Signs, and The Visit but doesn’t espouse Lady in the Water, The Happening, The Last Airbender, or After Earth, his directorial work from 2004 to 2013 and all modest to massive financial disappointments. I probably wouldn’t mention them either. Personally though, I love The Village, and look forward to seeing if M. Night has truly returned to form: what exactly is all the hinted at “beast” material about?
Will M. Night Shyamalan have a hit on his hands, or did his best work come early and long ago? You tell me.
[Via EW]
