Split (2017)
Kernel Score: 81% · 18,158 ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: Horror, Thriller
Released: 2017-01-19
Runtime: 117 minutes
Is Split worth watching?
Worth watching. James McAvoy gives a showy, intense performance as a man with many personalities who kidnaps three girls. It is tense and well made, though the psychology is shaky and the twist ending depends on a different film.
Watch it if you
- like Shyamalan's tense, twisty thrillers
- enjoy a big central performance
- want a short thriller with real suspense
Skip it if you
- want accurate mental-health portrayal
- dislike stories about kidnapped teenagers
Best for: Group watch at night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Split
- Stream: Netflix
- Free with ads: YouTube Free
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Though Kevin has evidenced 23 personalities to his trusted psychiatrist, Dr. Fletcher, there remains one still submerged who is set to materialize and dominate all 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 apart.
Split parents' guide: ages 13+
Parents need to know that this PG-13 psychological horror involves the kidnapping and menacing of teenage girls by a man with dissociative identity disorder.
- Violence & scariness: Strong — Kidnapping, stalking, gore and life-or-death peril drive this psychological horror; a child-abuse backstory adds disturbing content.
- Sex, romance & nudity: Some — Menacing, predatory treatment of the abducted teenage girls, plus a disturbing abuse subplot.
- Language: Some — Some moderate language within its PG-13 rating.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Split
If you liked Split, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Unbreakable (2000) — 81%: Shyamalan's earlier, more thoughtful superhero-style story
- The Sixth Sense (1999) — 89%: Shyamalan's best-known twist thriller
- Signs (2002) — 75%: Shyamalan's tense alien invasion story
- Perfect Blue (1998) — 92%: Psychological thriller about fractured identity
- Identity (2003) — 78%: A thriller about identity with a twist
- Cape Fear (1991) — 84%: A tense stalker thriller with a menacing villain
Director
Cast
- Anya Taylor-Joy as Casey Cooke
- James McAvoy as Dennis / Patricia / Hedwig / The Beast / Kevin Wendell Crumb / Barry / Orwell / Jade
- Haley Lu Richardson as Claire Benoit
- Jessica Sula as Marcia
- Betty Buckley as Dr. Karen Fletcher
- Izzie Coffey as Five-Year-Old Casey
- Brad William Henke as Uncle John
- Sebastian Arcelus as Casey's Father
- Neal Huff as Mr. Benoit
- Ukee Washington as News Anchor
Split FAQ
Is Split worth watching?
Worth watching. James McAvoy gives a showy, intense performance as a man with many personalities who kidnaps three girls. It is tense and well made, though the psychology is shaky and the twist ending depends on a different film.
Where can I watch Split?
In the US you can stream Split on Netflix, watch it free with ads on YouTube Free and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Split OK for kids?
Split is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 13+. Parents need to know that this PG-13 psychological horror involves the kidnapping and menacing of teenage girls by a man with dissociative identity disorder.
What movies are like Split?
If you liked Split, try Unbreakable, The Sixth Sense, Signs and Perfect Blue.