Why ‘The Beast’ Represents More Than Just a Villain in 'Split'

In M. Night Shyamalan’s psychological thriller movie 'Split', “The Beast” emerges as a terrifying force—one of the many personalities within Kevin Wendell Crumb, a man diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). Portrayed with chilling intensity by James McAvoy, The Beast is more than just another horror movie villain. He represents something deeper: a manifestation of trauma, a symbol of unchecked power, and a commentary on the human instinct for survival.

Unlike typical antagonists, The Beast in 'Split' is not a separate entity but a product of Kevin’s fractured mind, shaped by years of severe childhood abuse. He is the 24th and most extreme alter ego, born out of the need to protect Kevin and to avenge the pain inflicted on him.

Image Courtesy: IMDb

While horrifying in action, The Beast is portrayed as a dark form of justice, punishing those he believes to be “impure” or untouched by suffering. This twisted ideology introduces a thought-provoking theme: that trauma can breed not just pain, but power, sometimes in terrifying ways.

The Wider Meaning of The Beast in 'Split'

Shyamalan uses The Beast in 'Split' to explore how individuals cope with emotional scars. For Kevin, the formation of different identities is a defence mechanism. The Beast, however, is the ultimate evolution of that defence—violent, powerful, and feared. He climbs walls, exhibits supernatural strength, and speaks with religious conviction about pain as purification. In his view, only the broken are worthy of survival. This disturbing belief makes The Beast more than a villain; he becomes a dark mirror to society’s tendency to ignore or marginalise the wounded.

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Image Courtesy: IMDb

The final act of 'Split' drives this symbolism home when The Beast confronts Casey, the protagonist. She, too, is a survivor of abuse. Instead of killing her, he spares her, calling her “pure.” This moment is pivotal. It reveals that The Beast, while terrifying, is not driven by pure malice. His actions are warped by trauma, but rooted in a perverse logic of pain equating to strength.

Ultimately, The Beast is a complex character—one that blurs the line between horror and tragedy. He forces viewers to confront uncomfortable questions about the nature of evil, the impact of trauma, and what it means to survive. In doing so, 'Split' gives us a villain who is frightening not just for what he does, but for what he represents.

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