10 Unexpectedly Intense Performances In Horror Movies

M. Night Shyamalan's pseudo-sequel to Unbreakable centres around Casey Cooke (Anya Taylor-Joy), a young woman abducted by a mentally ill man called Kevin Wendell Crumb (James McAvoy). Kevin harbours 24 personalities, including the manipulative Patricia, the OCD-riddled Dennis, the childlike Hedwig, and a superpowered entity called The Beast.

In the hands of a lesser actor, Kevin Wendell Crumb could've come across as hammy and unintentionally hilarious (which is standard for a Shyamalan flick). However, McAvoy absolutely kills it in the role. Even though several alter-egos are larger-than-life and only appear briefly, the Scottish star makes each of them feel fully fleshed out.

During the climax, Crumb unlocks his Beast persona, endowing him with inhuman strength and the ability to climb walls. This narrative shift could've been jarring since the grounded drama suddenly becomes a comic book fantasy in the eleventh hour, but this moment works thanks to how sincere James McAvoy comes across while portraying the outlandish character. His ferocity during the third act is so convincing, you actually believe this guy could bend metal and shuffle off bullets.

Not only is this McAvoy at his best, it's probably the most mesmerising performance in any of Shyamalan's work.