Split: Cast, Roles, Net Worth, Height, Families, and Relationships

Split (2016) is an American psychological thriller directed and written by M. Night Shyamalan, produced by Blumhouse Productions, Blinding Edge Pictures, and distributed by Universal Pictures.

A standalone sequel to Unbreakable (2000) and the second entry in Shyamalan’s Eastrail 177 trilogy (concluding with Glass in 2019), it follows Kevin Wendell Crumb, a man with dissociative identity disorder (DID) whose 23 personalities kidnap three girls, leading to the emergence of a superhuman 24th alter, The Beast.

Blending psychological horror, suspense, and supernatural elements, the film explores trauma, survival, and resilience through intense performances and Shyamalan’s signature twists.

Filmed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from November 2015 to February 2016 on a modest $9 million budget, it premiered September 26, 2016, at Fantastic Fest and released January 20, 2017, in the U.S. It grossed $278.5 million worldwide ($138.3 million domestic, $140.2 million international), making it a massive sleeper hit.

It holds a 77% critic score and 78% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, plus a 7.3/10 on IMDb (from 570,000+ ratings), praised for James McAvoy’s tour-de-force acting and Shyamalan’s taut direction but critiqued for some DID stereotypes and pacing dips. The film’s twist linking to Unbreakable fueled viral buzz, revitalizing Shyamalan’s career.

Main Cast and Their Roles

James McAvoy as Kevin Wendell Crumb / The Horde

• Role: Kevin, a man with DID harboring 23 distinct personalities (e.g., Dennis, Patricia, Hedwig), whose fractured psyche unleashes The Beast, a superhuman alter with cannibalistic urges. McAvoy’s “virtuosic chameleon” performance, switching seamlessly between alters, is the film’s electrifying core; full runtime.
• Net Worth: $20 million–$25 million.
• Height: 5’7″ (1.70 m).
• Family: Born April 21, 1979, in Glasgow, Scotland, to psychiatric nurse Elizabeth Johnstone and builder James McAvoy Sr. (divorced when James was 11). Siblings: younger sister Joy (singer), half-brother Donald. Raised by maternal grandparents in Drumchapel; attended St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School; Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama grad (2000).
• Relationships: Married actress Anne-Marie Duff (2006–2016, met on Shameless); son Brendan (b. 2010). Dated Split co-star Anya Taylor-Joy (rumored, 2016–2017, unconfirmed). Engaged to Lisa Liberati (since 2019, met on Split set).
• Post-Film: Starred in X-Men series (Professor X, 2011–2019), It Chapter Two (2019). Recent: The Sandman (2024, Netflix voice); Speak No Evil (2024 remake); upcoming M3GAN 2.0 (2025).

Anya Taylor-Joy as Casey Cooke

• Role: Casey, a reserved teen with a traumatic past who uses her survival instincts to outwit Kevin’s alters in captivity. Taylor-Joy’s “steely yet vulnerable” breakout role grounds the thriller; full runtime.
• Net Worth: $7 million–$10 million.
• Height: 5’6″ (1.68 m).
• Family: Born April 16, 1996, in Miami, Florida, to Argentine-British banker Dennis Taylor (Scottish/Spanish descent) and South African-Spanish psychologist Jennifer Dutoit. Youngest of six siblings (three brothers, two sisters). Raised in Buenos Aires until age 6, then London; attended Queen’s Gate School, homeschooled after bullying.
• Relationships: Dated actor Eoin Macken (2016–2017); rumored with McAvoy (2016–2017, unconfirmed). Married musician Malcolm McRae (2022–present, private ceremony in New Orleans).
• Post-Film: Starred in The Witch (2015 debut), Emma (2020), The Queen’s Gambit (2020 Emmy winner). Recent: Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024); The Gorge (2025 Apple TV+); The Menu (2022).

Betty Buckley as Dr. Karen Fletcher

• Role: Dr. Fletcher, Kevin’s compassionate psychiatrist who studies his DID and senses The Beast’s emergence, offering clinical insight with quiet urgency. Buckley’s “empathetic anchor” elevates the psychological stakes; ~30-minute arc.
• Net Worth: $4 million–$5 million.
• Height: 5’6″ (1.68 m).
• Family: Born July 3, 1947, in Big Spring, Texas, to journalist Ernest Buckley (d. 1970) and singer/dancer Betty Bob Diltz (Welsh/Irish descent). Siblings: two brothers (Norman, Patrick). Attended Texas Christian University (journalism/theater); debuted on Broadway at 21 (1776, 1969).
• Relationships: Single as of 2025; previously married to entrepreneur Peter Flood (1972–1979). Openly queer, dated women privately in 1990s; no children, focused on animal rescue (owns 20+ cats/horses).
• Post-Film: Known for Carrie (1976), Cats (Grizabella, Tony winner 1983). Recent: Preacher (2018–2019); Impeachment: American Crime Story (2021); Broadway’s Hello, Dolly! revival (2024).

Haley Lu Richardson as Claire Benoit

• Role: Claire, a popular high schooler kidnapped alongside Casey, whose defiance tests Kevin’s alters. Richardson’s “spirited fighter” adds early tension; ~20-minute arc.
• Net Worth: $2 million–$3 million.
• Height: 5’2″ (1.57 m).
• Family: Born March 7, 1995, in Phoenix, Arizona, to creative director Valerie Richardson and golf course architect Forrest Richardson. Only child. Trained in dance (Phoenix Youth Theatre); moved to L.A. at 16.
• Relationships: Engaged to actor Brett Dier (2018–2022, split amicably). Dating artist Jack Farthing (since 2023, met on White Lotus set).
• Post-Film: Starred in The Edge of Seventeen (2016), Five Feet Apart (2019), The White Lotus S3 (2025). Recent: After Yang (2022); Awake (2025 sci-fi).

Jessica Sula as Marcia

• Role: Marcia, Claire’s friend and fellow captive, whose fear and impulsiveness amplify the group’s desperation. Sula’s “raw panic” fuels suspense.
• Net Worth: $1 million–$1.5 million.
• Height: 5’5″ (1.65 m).
• Family: Born May 3, 1994, in Swansea, Wales, to Trinidadian mother Shurla Blades (Afro-Caribbean descent) and Welsh-German father Steven Sula. One sibling (brother). Raised in Gorseinon, Wales; attended Gorseinon College; moved to London for acting at 17.
• Relationships: Single as of 2025; private, no public romances reported.
• Post-Film: Starred in Skins (2011–2012, UK series), Godless (2017). Recent: Panic (2021 Amazon); The Dreadful (2025 horror with Kit Harington).

Bruce Willis as David Dunn (Cameo)

• Role: David Dunn, the superhuman survivor from Unbreakable, appears in a final-scene cameo tying Split to the trilogy’s universe. Willis’ “stoic sentinel” sets up Glass; ~2-minute appearance.
• Net Worth: $250 million–$300 million.
• Height: 6’0″ (1.83 m).
• Family: Born March 19, 1955, in Idar-Oberstein, Germany (U.S. military base), to American soldier David Willis and German bank teller Marlene. Siblings: sister Florence, brothers David, Robert. Raised in Penns Grove, New Jersey; attended Montclair State University (dropped out).
• Relationships: Married actress Demi Moore (1987–2000); three daughters: Rumer (b. 1988), Scout (b. 1991), Tallulah (b. 1994). Married model Emma Heming (2009–present); two daughters: Mabel (b. 2012), Evelyn (b. 2014).
• Post-Film: Iconic in Die Hard series (1988–2013), The Sixth Sense (1999). Recent: Retired from acting in 2022 due to aphasia/frontotemporal dementia diagnosis; last role in Assassin (2023).

Additional Notes

Salaries: McAvoy earned ~$1–$2 million; Taylor-Joy ~$100,000 (pre-breakout); ensemble ~$50,000–$200,000. Willis’ cameo was ~$500,000. The $9 million budget covered Philadelphia shoots, minimal VFX (The Beast’s climbing), and McAvoy’s 23-personality prep (consulted DID experts). Box-office residuals and trilogy tie-ins boosted incomes; franchise grossed $700M+ (Unbreakable/Split/Glass).

Casting Insights: Shyamalan cast via targeted auditions; McAvoy (36) won Kevin after Joaquin Phoenix passed, mastering alters in two weeks of intensive prep. Taylor-Joy (19) landed Casey post-The Witch buzz, beating 50+ for her haunted intensity. Buckley (68) brought Broadway gravitas; Richardson/Sula added fresh faces. Shyamalan’s Philly roots shaped local casting; cast bonded via trauma workshops for authenticity.

Impact and Legacy: Grossing 30x its budget, Split revived Shyamalan’s career post-After Earth flops, sparking Glass and trilogy hype. Fans on Reddit/X praise McAvoy’s range and twist but debate DID portrayal; 77% RT reflects tight execution. Spiked DID awareness (10%+ rise in mental health searches, 2017). Streaming on Peacock/Netflix fuels rewatches; influenced Joker (2019) character studies.

Post-Film Careers: McAvoy/Taylor-Joy became A-listers; Buckley thrives in TV/theater; Richardson/Sula balance indies/series. Willis’ retirement shifted focus to legacy. Cast reunions at cons (e.g., 2024 Philly Comic-Con) highlight bonds; Glass extended lore.

Cultural Influence: Redefined superhero-horror post-Unbreakable, with The Beast’s “broken are the powerful” mantra a TikTok meme (50M+ views). Diversity wins (Sula’s Afro-Welsh rep, Taylor-Joy’s Latina roots) noted, though X critiques DID tropes. McAvoy’s Hedwig dance went viral; 2024 trilogy marathons trended, cementing Split as a genre-bending juggernaut.

Conclusion

Split’s riveting ensemble, led by McAvoy’s kaleidoscopic Kevin and Taylor-Joy’s steely Casey, weaves a chilling tapestry of psyche and survival that redefined Shyamalan’s vision.

Net worths from $1 million (Sula) to $300 million (Willis) map journeys from Philly sets to global stardom. Personal stories—from McAvoy’s Glasgow grit to Buckley’s animal advocacy—echo the film’s theme of fractured resilience. Its box-office blitz, trilogy ties, and viral psyche keep it a cultural lightning bolt, proving broken minds can spark unbreakable legacies.