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Exclusive: James McAvoy talks M. Night Shyamalan’s Split

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When M. Night Shyamalan told James McAvoy to read the script for the writer-director’s latest film, Split, with an open mind, he wasn’t joking. McAvoy plays nine different characters in the film, all of whom live in the same body. “I met with Night, whom I’ve always wanted to work with, and he didn’t tell me much about the script before I read it,” says McAvoy. “He told me to prepare myself for something different, something weird, and something that would be very demanding to play as an actor.”

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McAvoy’s character in Split, Kevin, suffers from a severe case of DID [Dissociative Identity Disorder]. Throughout Kevin’s life, his body and mind have played host to more than twenty different personalities, twenty-four to be exact. Nine of these personalities are featured in the film. “I’m only Kevin for about ninety seconds in the film, so it’s hard to say who Kevin really is,” says McAvoy. “I don’t think of him as just Kevin-I think of this as a community of personalities that live inside his body. The nine characters featured in the film all have a job, an objective. After reading the script, I immediately decided that I wasn’t played Kevin but nine different personalities. Making this film was almost like making nine different films at once.”

Split absolutely depends on McAvoy’s performance and his ability to convince the audience that they’re experiencing these different personalities throughout the film.  “Kevin comes from a horrible childhood, which was full of abuse and trauma,” says McAvoy. “This is how the different personalities developed inside of him-this is how he was able to deal with everything around him. Kevin’s body is very brittle because of his horrible childhood existence, and he started exhibiting a split personality disorder when he was three or four. Dennis was the first personality that developed, and then Barry, Hedwig, and Patricia came along to save him at different points in his life. Some of the characters have a broad bandwidth and some have a narrow bandwidth. Kevin and his personalities have been beaten and diminished throughout his life. “

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Split is a psychological horror film, which explains the appearance of personality number twenty-four, who is known as The Beast. “As the film opens, the personalities inside Kevin are being slowly marginalized and reduced and pushed aside,” says McAvoy. “This makes some of them hostile. They feel like they’re in prison. The Beast appears as this benevolent god to Kevin and the rest of the personalities. The Beast appears as a godlike figure and makes them believe in themselves by teaching them that they’re special, and that it’s the world around them that’s sick. The Beast teaches them that not only are they normal but they’re extra normal. The Beast thinks of himself as an extremely pure being, and he’s very malevolent and nasty. The Beast controls the various personalities inside Kevin, and he pushes Dennis, who becomes the Beast’s henchman, to punish everyone who’s impure. This leads to the kidnapping of the three teenage girls in the film.”

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The film opens with Kevin kidnapping three teenage girls who are then held prisoner inside Kevin’s house. “The interior of Kevin’s house is a bestial environment,” says McAvoy. “There’s beauty and horror. The personalities have been living underground, and the look of the inside of Kevin’s house reveals this. The Beast teaches them that they don’t have to live like that anymore. Dennis and Patricia bond with the girls, who begin to hear about the Beast, whom they don’t want to see. Patricia has a feminine connection with the girls, which the lead girl, Casey, tries to exploit. Hedwig has a juvenile attraction to Casey.”

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McAvoy did research into DID and split personalities before he started work on Split, which began filming in Pennsylvania in the fall of 2015. Betty Buckley plays Dr. Fletcher, a psychologist who tries to help Kevin combine his various personalities into a single being. “I did research into DID, which I definitely believe is for real,” says McAvoy. “I don’t believe that people with DID are, in most cases, exaggerating or faking their symptoms. What I learned is that some DID personalities keep diaries , with one alter ego writing to another one, just so they can keep track of different parts of their lives. The personalities have different views about Dr. Fletcher and how they should be treated. Sometimes one personality pretends to be someone else in Dr. Fletcher’s presence. Dr. Fletcher is never sure what’s going on, which is how the audience will feel. Fletcher fights for them and tries to prove that DID does exist.”

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McAvoy describes Split as a fun, intense, scary thriller with elements of black humor. “The most disturbing, frightening aspect of the film for the audience might be the sight of me in a dress, wearing lipstick,” jokes McAvoy. “There’s great tension in the film, and then Night finds a way to alleviate that tension at different points. Some of the alter egos are fun, interesting people to be around, and some aren’t.”

McAvoy has high praise for Shyamalan. “I’ve worked with several writer-directors so far, and Night is definitely one of the best,” says McAvoy. “He controls his films, and he takes possession of the story and every element of the process. He draws the entire film before he starts shooting, and he brings his vision from the drawing board to the screen. Night has a plan, and he carries it out throughout the filming. He also lets you in on what he’s doing, which builds a sense of trust. I’m getting old now, and I’m more and more willing to just do what a director tells me. Technically, Night is also way up there. He understands every aspect of the camera. He’s all over everything.”

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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