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Split - When an Actor Plays NINE Characters in One Movie

2026-05-20 Entertainment
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Just an Observation
Just an Observation
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Description

This video essay analyzes James McAvoy's performance in Split (owned by Universal Pictures). James McAvoy took a big risk by playing a character with disassociative identity disorders whose characters had split into 23 distinctive personalities. But how did he distinguish Patricia from Barry or Barry from Dennis or Hedwig from Orwell? This video breaks down the physicality of James McAvoy's acting, as well as the amazing scenes where you can see a changeover happen from one character to another. It's James McAvoy's acting technique explained. Music Used: Not Too Cray by Huma-Huma (YouTube Audio Library) Ice Cream by Joey Pecoraro (YouTube Audio Library) 'In Search Of Solitude' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au Lonely Day by Telecasted (YouTube Audio Library) & "Crypto" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ FAIR USE NOTICE: This video may contain copyright material; the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. This material is made available under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made "fair use" for the purposes such as criticism, comment, review, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that otherwise might be infringing. All rights belong to its owners. Timestamps: 0:00 James McAvoy 3:40 Playing Different Personalities 8:25 Changeovers #split #jamesmcavoy #mnightshyamalan

Top Comments (10)

@JustanObservation 2026-05-20

If you enjoyed this video, please like, comment and hype as the algorithm has not been my friend lately. Next video, The Office. Would you rather Pam or Andy?

32 12 replies
@isaiahvoss 2026-05-20

I remember the hype of SPLIT all the way back in 2016. It was a different type of superhero horror that we only found out being connected to Unbreakable earlier and then Glass later on. I got excited when they all connected to each other. Overall James McAvoy's performance is astounding as playing multiple personalities.

233 7 replies
@619Slipk 2026-05-23

Dude's got better motor coordination in his face than I've seen some people have with their hands, WTF

54
@unwono 2026-05-20

always loved McAvoy in this, great analysis

104 1 replies
@geoffberteau2847 2026-05-22

@5:05 except accents indeed do manifest in real cases of multiple personality disorder.

134 3 replies
@oliviapenelopehope4497 2026-05-22

Despite the over-dramatization that makes Dissociative Identity Disorder seem more magical, he did a great job acting, even if the portrayal is a poor representation of DID.

144 3 replies
@FullTimePatient37 2026-05-21

James is insanely skilled why on earth he wasn't nominated for an award 🥇

108 9 replies
@harshsonawane6076 2026-05-20

McAvoy is one of those actors who definitely feels like he has got so much more to give. This movie really gave him a chance to flex those muscles (no pun intended)

52
@lenaanderson2295 2026-05-21

He really deserves more acclaim for his performance in this franchise. I see NO other actor today who could pull this off. Depp included. *Hedwig was my absolute favorite* Thank you for shining a light on him, I've been a huge fan of his for years. ♥️ He's brilliant.

22
@nathangrund7216 2026-05-23

I was so impressed with this performance. I thought his characters were so distinct. The regular cycling of them gave you the sense of impending doom. That the beast could just come at any time and it would mean inevitable death. He wouldn't necessarily need to be triggered into that personality. Though I know nothing of psychology or the disorder.. Aside from its existence.

18

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