M. Night Shyamalan’s movie Split tells a story inspired by a real-life court case. The character Kevin Wendell Crumb, played by James McAvoy, is unsettling and complex. This character shares similarities with Billy Milligan’s court case, which inspired Shyamalan.
Billy Milligan faced serious charges like robbery, kidnapping, and rape. Despite these crimes, the court found him innocent because of his DID defense. Today, it’s rare for someone to be acquitted based on mental health. But Milligan’s case still grabs public attention.
Split isn’t a retelling of Milligan’s story. Instead, it’s a fictional tale with elements from the real case. James McAvoy’s acting and Shyamalan’s unique style bring this story to life. The film shows Kevin, a man with 23 different personalities, each with unique traits.
What is The Real Story?
The film starts as a kidnapping story and then moves into exploring DID scientifically. It ends on a supernatural note. The middle part of the film offers a more realistic look at DID. Here, each of Kevin’s alters affects his personality and health differently.
Shyamalan’s interest in DID dates back to the ’90s when many didn’t believe in it. He found the condition fascinating and poignant. He was intrigued by how DID could affect a person’s physical health differently for each alter. This idea is reflected in the film.
Shyamalan had wanted to make this movie for years. He began working on the script in 2001 and finally released the film in 2016. The character of Kevin is fictional but is inspired by Billy Milligan’s milestone court case.
Milligan was arrested in 1977 for robbery, kidnapping, and rape. During a psychiatric evaluation, he revealed his DID. After evaluations by nine mental health professionals, including noted psychiatrist Cornelia Wilbur, Milligan was acquitted in 1978.
Milligan’s diagnosis had many factors, including trauma and behavioral discrepancies. He had a history of alleged abuse and had been in a psychiatric facility before. He was diagnosed with hysterical neurosis, which matched the symptoms of DID.
After eight years in a psychiatric hospital, Milligan escaped but was caught and released in 1988. He died in 2014 at 59. His case was widely covered by the media, including The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times. Today, Milligan’s story is still remembered through documentaries, books, and films.
