Whether it’s Patricia, Dennis or Barry, James McAvoy’s “split” character Kevin Wendell Crumb is always “on the move” as Hedwig says in this controversial M. Night Shyamalan film. Putting aside the fact that Split severely misrepresents real-life dissociative identity disorder (and understandably why some wanted it taken off of Netflix because of that), the movie disturbs viewers in a different way than other thrillers. 

Every moment, you’re on the edge of your seat, wondering which personality will emerge. Apart from McAvoy’s highly skilled switcheroos, the real fear is watching three imprisoned teenage girls try to escape more than 20 different “people” living inside one grown man. 

You’ll wonder just how bad this is going to get, which personality could become violent, and more importantly, what’s going to happen to the three victims. In certain moments though, you might actually find yourself suppressing a laugh. But how could you? This is a story about three kidnapped teenagers and one person who is struggling with his condition. Let’s look at some of the most dominant personalities. 

For starters, looking at the youthful Hedwig “alter,” as Kevin’s therapist, Dr. Fletcher (Betty Buckley), calls it, he’s a 9-year-old boy who has a crush on Casey (Anya Taylor-Joy). Obviously, it would be less disturbing to watch an actual child try to kiss her than watching an adult do it. However, Hedwig lives within Kevin, and Casey is aware of who she’s talking to but her fear still emanates through the screen. You want to look away as Hedwig leans in while she remains completely motionless. This one scene leaves the audience holding its breath, hoping that Kevin’s childlike personality won’t do anything worse.

Despite this, here’s where you might find yourself giggling for a split second (no pun intended): Hedwig later brings Casey to his room to listen to rap music. Once again and thankfully, that’s the extent of it. When you see McAvoy awkwardly rock out to the song though, it’s hard not to giggle in the slightest. And then, Shyamalan allows a new discomfort to take over once Casey finds the walkie talkie. How much longer will it be before Hedwig “leaves” and another identity takes over? 

We also meet Patricia, a managerial English lady who seemingly won’t hurt Casey, Marcia, and Claire. We’re first introduced to her when we hear that excruciatingly creepy first line, “I have your meal, sleepyhead.” Try to sleep without thinking you’ll wake up to that! She brings the teens into a room and makes them something to eat. It seems simple at first until she suddenly slams a knife down on the counter, startling everyone. But it’s all good — she’s just annoyed at herself for not cutting a perfectly square sandwich. And this is precisely what keeps the audience shifting in their seats, asking whether any of the identities will actually harm the girls that Dennis kidnapped.