M. Night Shyamalan was once the golden boy of Hollywood, hailed as the next Spielberg after the phenomenal success of The Sixth Sense and Signs. But a string of high-profile flops like The Last Airbender and After Earth left even his most devoted fans questioning his storytelling magic. Just when it seemed his career was on life support, Shyamalan found his footing again with the modest hit The Visit, but it was 2016's Split that truly marked his triumphant return—and it was Anya Taylor-Joy who helped him pull it off.
Anya Taylor-Joy's Breakout Role as Casey Cooke
In Split, Taylor-Joy plays Casey Cooke, a troubled teenager who, along with a few classmates, is kidnapped by a man with 23 distinct personalities. James McAvoy delivers a tour-de-force performance as the captor, but it's Taylor-Joy who grounds the film with her raw, emotionally charged portrayal. Casey is an outsider, invited to a birthday party only out of pity, and her guarded demeanor hints at a painful past. Taylor-Joy masterfully conveys Casey's wariness and survival instincts, making her a compelling final girl who uses her trauma to outsmart her captor.
What makes Taylor-Joy's performance so remarkable is her ability to make Casey both vulnerable and resilient. She doesn't just scream and run; she observes, calculates, and connects. The film's twist—that Casey and the Beast share a bond through their shared experiences of abuse—could have been controversial, but Taylor-Joy handles it with such nuance that it becomes a powerful statement about survival and empathy. Her portrayal turns Casey into an empowering hero, not a victim.
A Career-Defining Performance
Split was a massive success for Blumhouse and Shyamalan, grossing nearly $280 million worldwide on a tiny budget. It also set up the sequel Glass, which brought back Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson from Unbreakable. While McAvoy's physical transformation was the marketing hook, Taylor-Joy's emotional depth gave the audience someone to root for. She reprised her role in Glass, further solidifying her status as a scream queen for a new generation.
Since Split, Taylor-Joy has become one of Hollywood's most sought-after talents, starring in everything from The Queen's Gambit to Furiosa. But it was her work in Shyamalan's thriller that proved she could carry a film with just her presence. For Shyamalan, Split was a career-saving hit that reminded everyone why he was once considered a master of suspense. He has since continued to make intriguing thrillers like Old, Knock at the Cabin, and Trap, but Split remains a standout in his filmography.
If you're looking for more underrated thrillers, check out our list of hidden gems that deserve your attention. And for more on Shyamalan's upcoming projects, including the trailer for Remain, stay tuned.
