Anya Taylor-Joy in Split marked a turning point both for her career and for director M. Night Shyamalan, whose reputation was revived following the film’s release. With her portrayal of Casey Cooke, Taylor-Joy not only captivated audiences but also contributed significantly to Shyamalan’s return to critical and commercial success in 2016.
Anya Taylor-Joy’s Rise Through Diverse Roles
Anya Taylor-Joy has quickly emerged as a standout actress with a remarkable range, taking on a variety of characters that showcase her talent. Notably, she portrayed Illyana Rasputin in The New Mutants, delivering a performance that most critics deemed one of the highlights of the film. She further impressed audiences with her integral role in The Northman, a Viking revenge saga directed by Robert Eggers, and demonstrated her sharp wit in The Menu. Taylor-Joy’s expanding filmography includes a part in the upcoming The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, where she is expected to reprise her role as Princess Peach.
However, among these diverse credits, her contribution in Split stands out for the impact it had both on her own career path and on Shyamalan’s trajectory as a filmmaker.
Reviving a Director’s Status with Split
Before the release of Split, M. Night Shyamalan had experienced a significant decline in his standing within Hollywood. Early successes like The Sixth Sense and Signs brought him fame for their clever twists and emotional depth. Nevertheless, a series of critical flops—including his adaptation of The Last Airbender and the film After Earth, which not only affected Shyamalan’s reputation but also hurt Will Smith’s box office draw—left his career at a low point.
Split marked a dramatic reversal of fortune. The movie followed teenagers Casey, Claire, and Marcia—played by Taylor-Joy, Haley Lu Richardson, and Jessica Sula—after they are abducted by Kevin Wendell Crumb, portrayed by James McAvoy. Kevin suffers from dissociative identity disorder, displaying 23 distinct personalities with a dangerous 24th called The Beast looming beneath the surface. The film’s psychological intensity and character-driven focus recalled the strengths of Shyamalan’s earlier works, helping to restore his reputation among critics and audiences alike.
While mental health professionals voiced concerns over its depiction of dissociative identity disorder, Split nonetheless drew attention for the quality of its acting. McAvoy’s performance was widely recognized as exceptional, distinctively portraying each of Kevin’s personalities. Taylor-Joy matched McAvoy’s emotional intensity, particularly in scenes where Casey bonds with Kevin over their shared experiences with abusive parents. This dynamic was central to the film’s tension and ultimately its success.
Split’s Connection to Shyamalan’s Past Films
One of Split’s most compelling features was its ending, which tied directly into Shyamalan’s earlier film, Unbreakable. In the climax, Casey escapes Kevin, who perceives her as ‘pure’ due to her trauma. As news of Kevin’s crimes spreads, he is dubbed ‘The Horde.’ A seemingly unrelated scene in a diner introduces David Dunn, played by Bruce Willis—Unbreakable’s protagonist—who quietly references his old adversary, Mister Glass (Samuel L. Jackson).
This unexpected crossover revealed that both films existed in the same universe, with Unbreakable’s themes of destiny and inner strength resonating through Split’s narrative. According to Shyamalan, the connection between the two movies ran deeper than fans initially realized, as the idea for Kevin was originally conceived during Unbreakable’s development:
“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, Director
Taylor-Joy’s Impact and the Film’s Continued Influence
With the single role of Casey Cooke, Anya Taylor-Joy not only solidified her place as a noteworthy star but also played a crucial role in reestablishing Shyamalan’s reputation. The chemistry between Taylor-Joy and McAvoy, as well as the film’s ambitious crossover with Unbreakable, captivated audiences and critics alike, proving that Shyamalan could still deliver inventive twists and emotionally charged storytelling.
The significance of Split extends into the broader landscape of contemporary suspense cinema as it revitalized confidence in Shyamalan’s creative vision and signaled a promising future for Taylor-Joy’s career. The film’s psychological depth and interconnected storytelling have inspired renewed interest in character-driven thrillers, reflecting both the director’s and the actress’ enduring influence.
