The movie Split starts with a jarring and unsettling abduction. Three teenage girls, Claire (Haley Lu Richardson), Marcia (Jessica Sula), and Casey (Anya Taylor-Joy), are waiting in a car after a birthday party when Dennis, one of Kevin Wendell Crumb’s 24 personalities, suddenly appears and sprays them with a tranquilizing gas, setting the stage for the terrifying psychological thriller that unfolds.
Setting the Stage: Understanding the Initial Abduction
The opening sequence of Split is meticulously crafted to immediately immerse the audience in a state of unease and suspense. We are introduced to the protagonists within a familiar, seemingly safe environment – a suburban driveway after a celebratory event. The normalcy is shattered in seconds, highlighting the abrupt and unpredictable nature of the threat they face. The swift and silent abduction emphasizes the powerlessness of the girls and the calculated precision of Dennis. This dramatic opening effectively establishes the central conflict and sets the tone for the rest of the film. The tranquilizing gas allows Dennis to subdue the girls without a struggle, preserving the element of mystery surrounding his motives.
The Significance of the Initial Moments
Beyond the immediate impact of the abduction, the opening scene subtly hints at the deeper themes explored throughout the film. The contrasting personalities of the girls – Claire and Marcia, popular and socially adept, versus Casey, the introverted and observant outsider – become crucial later on. Casey’s troubled past and inherent survival instincts, only hinted at initially, play a significant role in her attempts to escape. The fact that they are taken together also raises questions about Dennis’s specific intentions and the role each girl will play in his grand scheme. The opening is not merely a plot device; it’s a carefully designed introduction to the complex characters and psychological landscapes that define Split.
FAQs: Deeper Dives into the World of Split
Here are frequently asked questions that offer further insights into the beginning and broader context of Split:
FAQ 1: Why did Dennis target these specific girls?
The specific reason Dennis (as part of Kevin’s personalities) targets Claire, Marcia, and Casey is not explicitly stated in the beginning. The audience only later understands his motivation: The Horde, the collection of the stronger personalities, particularly Dennis and Patricia, believes that the girls are “pure,” meaning they haven’t suffered. They are considered suitable sacrifices for The Beast, the 24th personality that is emerging. Dennis’s specific role is to bring forth those who are pure for The Beast.
FAQ 2: What is the significance of the location – the car, the driveway?
The location is deliberately chosen for its mundane familiarity. A car in a driveway represents a point of transition, a place where individuals feel safe and secure. By violating this space, the film immediately establishes a sense of vulnerability and emphasizes that danger can lurk anywhere, even in the most ordinary circumstances. The suburban setting further underscores this point, highlighting the contrast between the perceived safety of suburban life and the chilling reality of the abduction.
FAQ 3: How does the opening scene contribute to the film’s overall themes?
The opening scene is crucial for establishing the film’s themes of trauma, identity, and survival. The abduction represents a sudden and traumatic disruption of the girls’ lives, forcing them to confront their deepest fears and vulnerabilities. The multiple personalities of Kevin Wendell Crumb, and their control over his body, illustrate the fragmented nature of identity and the psychological impact of childhood abuse. Casey’s survival instincts, honed by her past experiences, highlight the resilience of the human spirit in the face of extreme adversity.
FAQ 4: What role does the birthday party play in the opening sequence?
The birthday party serves as a catalyst for the abduction. It provides a context for the girls to be together, creating an opportunity for Dennis to target them. The celebratory atmosphere also contrasts sharply with the terror that follows, further emphasizing the jarring nature of the abduction. The implication is that the normalcy enjoyed at the party is an illusion, easily shattered by the presence of evil.
FAQ 5: How does the film subtly foreshadow future events in the opening scene?
Subtle hints are scattered throughout the opening scene that foreshadow later events. For instance, Casey’s withdrawn demeanor and reluctance to fully engage with the other girls subtly suggest her troubled past and her heightened sense of awareness. This awareness later proves crucial in her attempts to escape. The dialogue between the girls, particularly their superficial concerns, also contrasts sharply with the gravity of the situation they are about to face, highlighting the disconnect between their ordinary lives and the extraordinary circumstances they will encounter.
FAQ 6: What are the immediate consequences of the gas that Dennis uses?
The tranquilizing gas renders the girls unconscious, allowing Dennis to transport them to his underground lair without resistance. The gas also induces a state of disorientation and confusion upon waking, further disorienting the girls and making them more vulnerable. This initial vulnerability sets the stage for the psychological manipulation and torment that they will endure throughout the film.
FAQ 7: Why is it important that we see the abduction through the girls’ perspective?
Seeing the abduction through the girls’ perspective allows the audience to immediately empathize with their fear and helplessness. This perspective creates a stronger emotional connection and makes the film more suspenseful. It also allows the director to build suspense by withholding information from the audience, as we only see and understand what the girls see and understand.
FAQ 8: What does the opening scene reveal about Dennis’s personality?
The opening scene reveals Dennis’s controlled and methodical nature. He plans and executes the abduction with precision, demonstrating his intelligence and his willingness to use force to achieve his goals. His silence and lack of emotion further underscore his unsettling nature. He is a disciplined personality, working towards a specific end.
FAQ 9: How does the music and sound design contribute to the tension in the opening?
The music and sound design play a crucial role in building tension in the opening scene. The use of unsettling sound effects, such as the hiss of the gas and the muffled cries of the girls, creates a sense of unease and dread. The score is subtle yet effective, building gradually to a crescendo as the abduction unfolds. The absence of music at certain moments also enhances the feeling of suspense, allowing the audience to focus on the actions and expressions of the characters.
FAQ 10: Does the opening scene hint at the connection to the film Unbreakable?
While the opening scene doesn’t explicitly hint at the connection to Unbreakable, the film’s overall tone and Shyamalan’s directorial style create a sense of mystery and intrigue that is characteristic of his previous work. The focus on ordinary individuals with extraordinary abilities, a central theme in Unbreakable, is also subtly present in Split, foreshadowing the eventual revelation of The Beast’s superhuman strength and abilities. Only by the end of the movie do we realize Split is part of the Unbreakable universe.
FAQ 11: How does Casey’s reaction to the abduction differ from Claire and Marcia’s?
Although unconscious due to the gas, Casey’s inherent instincts and past traumas render her less surprised by the violence. Her life is already one of caution and observation, making her more adept at recognizing danger. This is a subtle contrast in the opening scene, but it sets the stage for her resourcefulness throughout the film. She is less shocked by the violence itself, but rather how organized and premeditated it is.
FAQ 12: What is the significance of the film beginning during the day?
The fact that the abduction occurs in broad daylight is significant because it subverts the typical horror trope of nighttime scares. By showing the abduction happening in a seemingly safe and familiar setting, the film emphasizes the unpredictability and pervasiveness of evil. It highlights that danger can strike at any time, even in the most unexpected places. This further enhances the sense of unease and vulnerability that permeates the entire film.
The Lasting Impact
The opening of Split is a masterclass in suspense and psychological storytelling. By immediately plunging the audience into a world of fear and uncertainty, the film establishes its central conflict and sets the stage for the complex and chilling narrative that follows. The carefully crafted details, from the mundane setting to the subtle foreshadowing, contribute to the film’s overall impact and leave a lasting impression on the viewer. The opening isn’t just an introduction to the plot; it’s an invitation into the fractured mind of Kevin Wendell Crumb and the terrifying reality of his multiple personalities.