The Split is a British television series created by Abi Morgan, which premiered in 2018. The show follows the lives of a group of family lawyers who work at the high-end London firm, Defoe’s, and the complex cases they handle.
One of the primary themes of The Split is the intricacies of personal relationships and family dynamics. The show explores the conflicts that arise when work and personal lives collide and how individuals navigate them. Another major theme is the role of women in the workplace and the challenges they face in a male-dominated profession.
The Split has gained immense popularity due to its compelling storytelling, strong performances by the cast, and realistic portrayal of the legal profession. The show is known for its excellent character development, with each member of the Defoe family having their own unique story arc. The Split has also been praised for its attention to detail and accuracy in depicting the legal profession, making it a favorite among lawyers and law students.
One of the reasons why people love The Split is its ability to balance drama and humor, making it both engaging and entertaining. The show also deals with timely issues such as gender equality, diversity, and mental health, which resonate with a wide audience.
Some other interesting facts about The Split include that it was originally commissioned as a six-part series but was later extended to ten episodes due to its popularity. The show has been nominated for several awards, including a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress for Nicola Walker’s performance. Additionally, a third season of the show was announced in 2021 and is set to premiere in 2022.
Overall, The Split has captured the hearts of viewers with its intricate plot, well-developed characters, and timely themes, making it a must-watch series for fans of legal dramas and family sagas alike.
If you enjoyed the psychological thriller aspects of the movie Split, you may also enjoy these nine movies:
- Shutter Island (2010) – Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, this movie follows a U.S. Marshal investigating a disappearance at a remote island asylum, but things are not what they seem.
- The Sixth Sense (1999) – A classic thriller that follows a young boy who communicates with spirits that don’t know they’re dead, and the therapist who tries to help him.
- The Silence of the Lambs (1991) – This Academy Award-winning movie follows a young FBI agent who is tasked with interviewing a brilliant psychiatrist turned serial killer, Dr. Hannibal Lecter, in order to catch another serial killer on the loose.
- Donnie Darko (2001) – A movie that blurs the lines between fantasy and reality, this psychological thriller follows a troubled teenager who has visions of a giant, demonic rabbit that leads him down a dangerous path.
- Memento (2000) – This mind-bending movie follows a man with short-term memory loss who is trying to find the person who murdered his wife.
- The Others (2001) – A gothic horror movie that follows a woman and her two children who live in a secluded mansion, but start to experience strange events and become convinced that they are not alone.
- The Machinist (2004) – Starring Christian Bale, this movie follows a factory worker who suffers from insomnia and becomes increasingly paranoid, leading to a series of disturbing events.
- Primal Fear (1996) – A legal thriller that follows a hotshot lawyer who takes on a case defending a young altar boy accused of murdering a priest, only to discover that things are not what they seem.
- Identity (2003) – This movie follows a group of strangers who find themselves stranded at a remote motel during a storm, but soon discover that they are being hunted down one by one by a killer.
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1. Shutter Island (2010)
Shutter Island is a psychological thriller directed by Martin Scorsese, based on the novel by Dennis Lehane. The movie stars Leonardo DiCaprio as U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels, who is sent to investigate the disappearance of a patient at a remote island asylum for the criminally insane. Along with his new partner Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo), Teddy delves into the sinister past of the institution, but soon begins to question his own sanity as he is plagued by hallucinations and disturbing visions.
Like Split, Shutter Island deals with the themes of psychological trauma and mental illness, and blurs the lines between reality and illusion. The movie keeps the audience on edge as Teddy becomes more and more entrenched in the mysterious world of the asylum, with the truth slowly revealing itself through cryptic clues and ominous foreshadowing.
2. The Sixth Sense (1999)
The Sixth Sense is a supernatural thriller directed by M. Night Shyamalan, starring Bruce Willis as child psychologist Dr. Malcolm Crowe, who tries to help a young boy named Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment) who claims to see dead people. As Crowe becomes more involved in Cole’s life, he begins to question his own beliefs and sanity as he tries to unravel the truth behind Cole’s visions.
Similar to Split, The Sixth Sense deals with the idea of mental illness and how it can affect one’s perception of reality. The movie keeps the audience guessing until the final twist, with subtle clues and foreshadowing leading up to the reveal. The movie’s haunting score and eerie atmosphere add to the suspense and tension.
3. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
The Silence of the Lambs is a classic psychological thriller directed by Jonathan Demme, starring Jodie Foster as FBI trainee Clarice Starling, who is tasked with interviewing the brilliant psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) in order to catch another serial killer on the loose. As Clarice delves deeper into the case, she becomes more and more entangled in the twisted web of Lecter’s mind games and secrets.
Like Split, The Silence of the Lambs explores the complex nature of psychological disorders and the people who suffer from them. The movie is a masterclass in tension and suspense, with Hopkins delivering a chilling and unforgettable performance as the manipulative and charismatic Lecter. The movie also deals with themes of power and control, as Lecter and Clarice engage in a dangerous game of cat and mouse.
4. Donnie Darko (2001)
Donnie Darko is a mind-bending psychological thriller directed by Richard Kelly, starring Jake Gyllenhaal as the titular character, a troubled teenager who starts to experience visions of a demonic rabbit that leads him down a dangerous path. As Donnie becomes more involved in the strange events happening around him, he begins to question the nature of reality and his own sanity.
Similar to Split, Donnie Darko explores the themes of mental illness and the blurred lines between reality and fantasy. The movie keeps the audience guessing as it presents a surreal and often confusing narrative, with subtle clues and hints leading up to the final reveal. The movie’s haunting score and eerie atmosphere add to the tension and suspense.
5. Memento (2000)
Memento is a unique and innovative thriller directed by Christopher Nolan, starring Guy Pearce as Leonard Shelby, a man with short-term memory loss who is trying to track down the person who murdered his wife. The movie is presented in a non-linear narrative, with scenes playing out in reverse order as Leonard tries to piece together the events of his past.
Similar to Split, Memento deals with the idea of memory and how it can shape one’s perception of reality. The movie keeps the audience on edge as it presents a complex and fragmented narrative, with the true nature of events slowly being revealed as the movie progresses. The movie’s clever use of non-linear storytelling and unreliable narration make for a unique and memorable viewing experience.
6. The Others (2001)
The Others is a gothic horror movie directed by Alejandro Amenábar, starring Nicole Kidman as Grace, a woman living in a secluded mansion with her two children who start to experience strange and terrifying events. As Grace becomes more entangled in the mysterious happenings of the house, she begins to question her own sanity and the safety of her family.
Similar to Split, The Others explores the themes of mental illness and the blurred lines between reality and illusion. The movie keeps the audience on edge as it presents a haunting and atmospheric narrative, with the true nature of events slowly being revealed through eerie and unsettling imagery. The movie’s twist ending is both shocking and satisfying, leaving a lasting impression on the viewer.
7. The Machinist (2004)
The Machinist is a psychological thriller directed by Brad Anderson, starring Christian Bale as Trevor Reznik, an insomniac machinist who begins to question his own sanity when strange events start to happen around him. As Trevor’s mental and physical health deteriorates, he becomes more entangled in a web of paranoia and confusion.
Similar to Split, The Machinist explores the themes of mental illness and the blurred lines between reality and fantasy. The movie keeps the audience on edge as it presents a haunting and atmospheric narrative, with subtle clues and hints leading up to the final reveal. Bale’s haunting and emaciated performance adds to the tension and suspense of the movie.
8. Primal Fear (1996)
Primal Fear is a legal thriller directed by Gregory Hoblit, starring Richard Gere as defense attorney Martin Vail, who takes on the case of a young altar boy (Edward Norton) accused of murdering a prominent priest. As Vail delves deeper into the case, he begins to uncover a web of lies and secrets that threaten to destroy his reputation and his career.
Similar to Split, Primal Fear deals with the theme of deception and the blurred lines between truth and lies. The movie keeps the audience guessing as it presents a complex and twisting narrative, with subtle clues and foreshadowing leading up to the final twist. Norton’s standout performance as the accused altar boy adds to the tension and suspense of the movie.
9. Identity (2003)
Identity is a psychological thriller directed by James Mangold, starring John Cusack as a former cop who becomes stranded at a remote motel during a storm, along with a group of strangers who start to mysteriously die off one by one. As the group becomes more isolated and desperate, they begin to question their own identities and the true nature of their situation.
Similar to Split, Identity explores the themes of mental illness and the blurred lines between reality and illusion. The movie keeps the audience on edge as it presents a suspenseful and atmospheric narrative, with the true nature of events slowly being revealed through clever and unexpected twists. The movie’s talented ensemble cast adds to the tension and suspense of the movie, with standout performances by Cusack and Ray Liotta.
Here’s a table of the IMDb ratings and Rotten Tomatoes scores for the following movies:
| Movie Title | IMDb Rating | Rotten Tomatoes Score |
| Split | 7.3 | 77% |
| Shutter Island | 8.2 | 68% |
| The Sixth Sense | 8.1 | 86% |
| The Silence of the Lambs | 8.6 | 96% |
| Donnie Darko | 8.0 | 85% |
| Memento | 8.4 | 93% |
| The Others | 7.6 | 83% |
| The Machinist | 7.5 | 76% |
| Primal Fear | 7.7 | 74% |
| Identity | 7.3 | 62% |
