The new Hollywood blockbuster, Split, by M Night Shyamalan has been condemned by mental health experts for its depiction of mental illness.
In the psychological horror actor James McAvoy plays Kevin, a dangerous man with dissociative identity disorder — which used to be known as split personality.
Kevin kidnaps three teenage girls and holds them captive, as some of his 24 personalities interact with them.
Mental health experts have criticised the film for contributing to stigma around the disorder.
An online mental illness support community in the US called The Mighty penned an open letter to the film’s director, warning of the harm that they say will be done when the film is released.
“Split represents yet another gross parody of us based on fear, ignorance and sensationalism, only much worse,” the letter said.
“The harmful bigotry perpetuated by your horror film will inspire a new wave of revulsion and hatred against plurals and plurality.”
The debate did not escape Mr McAvoy when he was interviewed about the film.
“Just trying to make it real while at the same time trying not to be exploitative of a condition that people live with, at the same time as using it as a fuel to tell a fantastic story and a fantastical story,” he said.
“So you had to walk a fine line.”
Film reinforces false stereotypes: SANE Australia
Mental health group SANE Australia weighed in after receiving at least a dozen complaints about the film on its Stigma Watch page.
Jack Heath, SANE’s chief executive, said there was a significant number of people living with the condition that is depicted in the movie.
“And it’s highly stigmatised already, and I know there’s individuals who’ve spoken to me who are very concerned about this film,” he said.