Split (2016) presents various different aspects of dissociative identity disorder, ultimately descending into the violent, extreme, and supernatural.
In Split (2016), James McAvoy plays Kevin, a man experiencing symptoms of dissociative identity disorder (DID), a disorder characterised by multiple identities1. These different identities are often referred to as alters to the main identity (host), together making up a system, and can differ in age, gender, memories, and experiences. In Split, Kevin (the host) has been diagnosed with 23 different personalities (alters), all distinct in behaviour, dress sense, speech pattern, and age. One of these alters, Dennis, kidnaps three young girls and holds them hostage underground. Each alter differs in how they treat the hostages, with some providing care whilst others enforcing strict captivity.
The film culminates in a 24th alter appearing, ‘The Beast’, one which has supernatural abilities including extreme strength and the ability to climb walls. In addition to the violent crimes committed by Dennis, The Beast proceeds to carry out several more extreme crimes including murdering two of the three hostages. The film ends with a cliff-hanger of Kevin escaping capture and the last girl being rescued. Through intermittent scenes with Kevin’s therapist, the audience learn of his history of childhood abuse and neglect.
DID is a specific mental health problem which is prone to misconception2, and Hollywood blockbusters like this may therefore have the potential to further misinform audiences at a large scale. As this film depicts a character with DID behaving in a dangerous, threatening, unpredictable and violent way because of their mental disorder, it likely spreads misinformation, reinforces negative stereotypes, and increases stigma about different mental health problems. The film received criticism for its depiction and villainisation of DID, and in one YouTube documentary, members of the DID community describe how they felt it was a misrepresentative, damaging, and offensive portrayal3 of their difficulties:
“We’re not monsters, we’re not out to get people. We’re most often hiding from monsters”3
Great and relevant post! I’ve thought about this before about Split and would like to share my opinion about another blockbuster character: Gollum from The Lord of the Rings. Although I wouldn’t call him a literal DID portrayal since he doesn’t fit all the diagnostic criteria and is a character from a fantasy world, his split sense of self (Sméagol versus Gollum) is shown with far more compassion. Frodo treats him with empathy, and the audience roots for him to overcome his obsession with the Ring, despite his monstrous appearance. In the movies and books, the influence of the Ring (which is pure evil!) transforms and traumatises him. This sharply contrasts with Split, where dissociation is used as a plot device to create fear rather than understanding.
In my opinion, it’s striking how a fantasy character like Gollum can be portrayed with such compassion for his dissociative experiences, perhaps even more so than some portrayals in the ‘real world’ like Split. It reminds us that empathy in storytelling is a choice, one that can help change how we understand mental health in real life. Screenwriters should keep this in mind when creating or adapting characters with mental illness.
Thats a great example, thank you for sharing! There are lots of other instances where films and TV shows make similar portrayals, some which we have already posted as exhibits (Mr. Robot) or plan to do so in the future. They all vary drastically in how these aspects of personality are depicted – like you say, differing in levels of compassion but also whether they are used as a plot device to villainise certain characters. The decisions of how to portray this in the media may have a big influence on society’s perspectives towards certain mental health problems. Lots to explore in future research!