Glass
Starring Bruce Willis, James McAvoy and Samuel L Jackson
Rated M
Glass is a riveting psychological thriller and another triumphant return to form for director M Knight Shyamalan.
Super-strong vigilante David Dunn (Bruce Willis) and split-personality serial killer Kevin Wendell Crumb (James McAvoy) are captured and brought to a mental institution, where the frail yet brilliant Elijah (Samuel L Jackson) secretly guides them into a comic book-style showdown.
The sequel to both Unbreakable and Split, Glass is another taut, compelling film driven by ingenious surprises and outstanding performances.
Willis conveys a gruff dignity while Jackson emanates a soft-spoken but deadly charisma.
McAvoy once again demonstrates staggering range and primal energy as Kevin, and brings further depth to this composite character, as Kevin’s savage ‘Beast’ personality evokes fear and shame in several of Kevin’s other personalities.
Sarah Paulson is laser-focused as Dr Ellie Staple, a psychiatrist determined to convince her patients that their abilities are not real.
Elijah’s machinations are perversely satisfying, as he becomes a mentor to Kevin and uses his extraordinary cunning to become the supervillain he’d always dreamed of being.
As these powerful personalities clash and manipulate each other, Glass becomes a macabre allegory for realising your full potential.
Throughout the plot, Shyamalan establishes clear rules for his characters and world but keeps us on our toes by defying each status quo in shocking but logical ways.
My favourite Shyamalan film is still (shock) The Village but Glass is still a phenomenal character-driven thriller.
– Seth Lukas Hynes
