In a striking testament to its enduring appeal, M. Night Shyamalan's gripping psychological thriller Split has charged back into the spotlight. A decade after its theatrical debut, the film starring Anya Taylor-Joy and James McAvoy is experiencing a massive streaming revival, securing a spot in Apple TV's global video-on-demand top 10 charts across multiple countries this March.
The film served as a major breakout moment for Anya Taylor-Joy, who was relatively unknown at the time. She played one of three teenagers kidnapped by a man, portrayed by James McAvoy, suffering from dissociative identity disorder. The captor's 23 distinct personalities pose a terrifying challenge, but the real threat looms with the potential emergence of a mysterious 24th.
Split was a monumental box office success, transforming its modest $9 million budget into a global haul exceeding $278 million. Critics and audiences were equally captivated, with the film earning matching 79% scores on Rotten Tomatoes from both groups. The tense narrative and powerhouse performances have clearly stood the test of time, attracting both nostalgic re-watchers and a new generation of viewers discovering its chilling story for the first time on streaming platforms.
Taylor-Joy's career has skyrocketed since the film's release. She is set to return as Princess Peach alongside Chris Pratt in 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie' this April, and headlines a new Apple TV+ series arriving this summer. She recently led two major sci-fi films: the Mad Max prequel Furiosa with Chris Hemsworth and the creature feature The Gorge with Miles Teller.
Fans of the actress can also look forward to her expanded role in the epic Dune saga. After a brief appearance in Dune: Part Two, Taylor-Joy will take on a significantly larger part as Alia Atreides in Dune: Part Three, which arrives in theaters this December 18th. The film, also starring Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya, is poised for a major box office showdown, opening the same day as Avengers: Doomsday.
The streaming success of Split highlights how certain thrillers only grow in reputation. It's a prime example of time-tested tension that gets better with age. The film's resurgence also coincides with a strong period for the thriller genre on streaming, with titles like Luke Grimes' 'Into the Ashes' finding new audiences on AMC+.
Beyond Taylor-Joy and McAvoy's celebrated performances, the film's supporting cast includes Haley Lu Richardson, Betty Buckley, and Jessica Sula. Their collective work under Shyamalan's direction created a uniquely unsettling cinematic experience that continues to captivate.
For those looking to experience or revisit the film that helped launch a superstar and remains a benchmark in modern psychological suspense, Split is currently available for streaming. Its unexpected return to the charts proves that a truly compelling story, anchored by phenomenal acting, never really goes out of style.
