Split’s Big Twist Shows Exactly What Modern M. Night Shyamalan Movies Are Missing

Summary

• Shyamalan’s twist in Split leads to a clever and brilliant connection with Unbreakable, setting up a thrilling sequel.
• The film’s ending reveals David Dunn’s existence in the same universe, hinting at an epic collision of powerful forces.
• Shyamalan’s recent film, Knock at the Cabin, lacked his trademark twist, but still features tense moments for audiences to enjoy.

Spoiler Warning: This article contains spoilers for Knock at the Cabin.

Split‘s twist ending not only improves the overall quality of its storytelling but also perfectly highlights what more of writer-director M. Night Shyamalan’s more recent work needs to do. Although Split is partially based on a true story, Shyamalan infuses enough characters, drama, and twists to make the film stand on its own as a beloved entry in the filmmaker’s filmography. Split‘s twist-ending was so clever, it sneakily set itself up as a great movie that was secretly a sequel to another of his best movies, Unbreakable. Despite Split‘s greatness, modern Shyamalan movies have lost their lasting power.

Although there are multiple ways Split connects to Unbreakable and Glass, its ending reveal of Unbreakable‘s protagonist, David Dunn, during the movie’s post-credit scene is arguably the most clever twist in Shyamalan’s filmography. Not only does it serve as a great way to maintain Shyamalan’s most effective storytelling device, but it also demonstrates his ability to expand his films’ lore in ways that make the world feel real and lived in, despite their larger-than-life subjects. Shyamalan’s recent movie failures indicate that he should take that into consideration.

Split’s Bruce Willis Twist Is Still M. Night Shyamalan’s Best In 8 Years

David Dunn’s Appearance In Split’s Ending Perfectly Connects Split To Unbreakable

After McAvoy’s Kevin Wendell Crumb decides that he’s going to unleash his wrath upon the citizens of Philadelphia, civilians inside a diner panic, uncertain of what’s to come. However, after one patron inquires about Unbreakable‘s Mr. Glass, Split‘s twist ending reveals that Bruce Willis’s David Dunn exists in the same universe as Kevin. Furthermore, David’s appearance all but confirms that Samuel L. Jackson’s Elijah Glass also exists in the same universe as Split, and it swiftly becomes apparent that the three forces of nature will eventually collide at some point.

By connecting
Split
to
Unbreakable
and later,
Glass
, Shyamalan makes the action more tense and engaging, while also reminding audiences exactly what his modern movies are sorely lacking.

Not only is Shyamalan’s twist ending in Split among one of his best, but it reinforces his proclivities for developing his worlds beyond simply relying on the shock value of his twists. Throughout Split, Kevin’s “The Beast” personality proves to be a cannibalistic being with superhuman strength, speed, and durability. Given the sheer power that The Beast displays, it’s made apparent that he won’t be easy to defeat. By connecting Split to Unbreakable and later, Glass, Shyamalan makes the action more tense and engaging, reminding audiences exactly what his modern movies are sorely lacking.

M. Night Shyamalan’s Last Movie Shockingly Didn’t Even Have One Of His Trademark Twists

Knock At The Cabin Did Not Feature A Twist Ending

Shyamalan’s Knock at the Cabin doesn’t have a twist ending, instead opting to infuse the movie with subtle symbolism, imagery, and cryptic messaging to keep audiences engaged. While the decision to try something different from what viewers familiar with Shyamalan’s work are accustomed to is admirable, it ultimately fell flat, as one of Knock at the Cabin‘s biggest shortcomings was its lackluster ending. Knock at the Cabin does undoubtedly feature tense and engaging moments, but it would have worked out even better with a compelling twist ending.

Knock at the Cabin
‘s ending is bold considering Shyamalan’s usual work, but
Knock at the Cabin
‘s mixed reception proves the movie should have included a twist like many of Shyamalan’s better movies.

In Knock at the Cabin, a group of strangers interrupts a family’s vacation in a cabin with news about an impending apocalyptic event. While the group seems convicted in their beliefs, the film’s ending leaves it up to audiences to decide whether its events were really the result of an apocalypse, or if they were merely coincidences. Knock at the Cabin‘s ending is bold considering Shyamalan’s usual work, but Knock at the Cabin‘s mixed reception proves the movie should have included a twist like many of Shyamalan’s better movies.

M. Night Shyamalan’s Highest-Rated Movies Also Have His Best Ending Twists

The Sixth Sense, Signs, And Split Are Among Some Of Shyamalan’s Most Memorable Twists.

The Sixth Sense, Signs, The Visit, and Split are among some of the strongest examples of Shyamalan’s twist endings working really well, and even improving the overall quality of his work. Each twist’s specificity to its story combined with the manner in which they compel audiences to reassess their initial feelings about the movie speaks volumes about Shyamalan’s creativity. Perhaps the most notable twist in any of Shyamalan’s work is when The Sixth Sense‘s ending revealed that Willis’ Malcolm Crowe was a ghost the entire time.

While the aliens’ weakness to water in Signs divides audiences to this day, the real beauty of the film is that Mel Gibson’s Father Graham Hess finds his faith in God again after he and his family survive their ordeal with alien invaders. The Visit‘s twist ending is another one of Shyamalan’s more effective examples, as Claire and Mitchell are actually two dangerous impostors pretending to be Becca and Tyler’s grandparents. While Split is Shyamalan’s best twist in years, M. Night Shyamalan’s new movie, Trap, will hopefully be a return to form for the filmmaker.