Sandy Kenyon reviews M. Night Shyamalan's 'Split'

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Writer/director M. Night Shyamalan, the man behind the iconic "The Sixth Sense" and other thrillers, is back with a new film.

The title of the movie, "Split," refers to the main character's many personalities.

An astounding 23 identities live in Kevin's body, and actor James McAvoy makes the audience understand each one.

As Hedwig, he's a 9-year-old boy, while Patricia is a middle-aged woman. The impressive performance is a tour de force.

The story begins in a parking lot, where three young women in a car suddenly find a stranger in the driver's seat.

The stranger maces a girl in back, and the next thing they know, they're being held in a basement.

Anya Taylor Joy, so effective in "The Witch," co-stars with McAvoy, and veteran Broadway star Betty Buckley is on hand as well playing Kevin's shrink.

She is the only person capable of understanding him, but even she isn't prepared for her patient's 24th personality.

Shyamalan has scared us often, but this one falls shy of his best. Still, McAvoy's amazing performance is reason enough to make "Split" worth seeing.