Split hits UK cinemas this Friday and we had the pleasure of sitting down with prolific writer / director M. Night Shyamalan & one of his actors Anya Taylor-Joy (The Witch) for their movie Split.

Split tells the story of a man (Kevin played by James McAvoy) with multiple personalities – 23 of which he has shared with his trusted psychiatrist, Dr. Fletcher (Betty Buckley) but there is one more lurking in the mind of Kevin, one that will dominate all the others. This personality ends up kidnapping three young women and they have to try and utilise some of his personalities to attempt their escape.

James McAvoy in Split

During the interview M. Night Shyamalan (probably best known for his movie The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable and Signs) talks about how he’s had the idea for this character sat in his notepad for around 16 years and how he’s almost passed the project off to someone else with him acting as a Producer. In the end he decided he wanted to keep his baby for himself and although it’s taken a long time to get the movie made, it seems well worth it.

Scott Davis who conducted the interview asked Anya Taylor-Joy about her character Casey and what it was about her that she loved so much. She talks about not even reading the script but just the side information about Casey that got her hooked from the outset.

Finally Night talks about casting James McAvoy and why he was perfect for the role. He tried to think about the nicest people in Hollywood and how that character would be perfect for the role of Dennis / Patricia / Hedwig / The Beast / Kevin Wendell Crumb / Barry / Orwell and Jade!

Split hits UK cinemas this Friday 20th January and we highly recommend you watch it. If you haven’t already seen the trailer, click this way!

M. Night Shyamalan & Anya Taylor-Joy Interview

Split Movie Synopsis

Though Kevin (James McAvoy) has evidenced 23 personalities to his trusted psychiatrist, Dr. Fletcher (Betty Buckley), there remains one still submerged who is set to materialize and dominate all of 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.