Split (soundtrack)
| Split (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Film score by | ||||
| Released | January 20, 2017 | |||
| Recorded | 2016–2017 | |||
| Genre | Film score | |||
| Length | 59:34 | |||
| Label | Back Lot Music | |||
| Producer | West Dylan Thordson | |||
| Unbreakable soundtracks chronology | ||||
| ||||
| West Dylan Thordson chronology | ||||
| ||||
Split (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the film score to the 2016 film Split directed by M. Night Shyamalan. Starring James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Betty Buckley, it is the second installment in the Unbreakable trilogy and a "stealth sequel" to Unbreakable (2000). The film score is composed by West Dylan Thordson and released through Back Lot Music on January 20, 2017.
Background
In October 2016, West Dylan Thordson was announced as the film's composer, in his maiden collaboration with Shyamalan.[1][2] Thordson went ahead with a Nine Inch Nails-like style, using a cello sound and turned, twisted and bended it to provide a cutting edge sound. Early in the process, he and Shyamalan discussed on how Split being tied to Unbreakable and what would be the musical approach for the score. He sketched several ideas that were clearly and intentionally influenced James Newton Howard's score for Unbreakable. A piece titled "Meeting the Others" become his reply for the predecessor. However, Shyamalan instructed him to set aside the ideas that influencing Howard's work and insisted him to write something unique for the film. Hence, he ended up focusing the score on not referencing Unbreakable too heavily.[3] Thordson then influenced some of his scores for the film into its sequel Glass (2019).[3]
Release
The original score album was released through Back Lot Music on January 20, 2017.[4] The score was further compiled into a vinyl LP box set that consisted of his scores for this film and Glass, as well as Howard's score for Unbreakable.[5][6] It was released in June 2020 through Waxwork Records.[7]
Reception
Tim Grierson of Screen International found the score to be "creepy".[8] Christy Lemire of RogerEbert.com wrote "West Dylan Thordson's score and an expertly creepy sound design help make Split an unsettling experience from the very start."[9] Alvaro Zinos-Amaro of Hex Publishers wrote "West Dylan Thordson's score is also consistently engaging and augments the emotions on the screen."[10] Justin Chang of Los Angeles Times wrote "The occasional screams on the soundtrack are often swallowed up by the ominous swell of West Dylan Thordson's score".[11]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Opening" | 1:33 |
| 2. | "What's Wrong With Barry?" | 2:52 |
| 3. | "Dr. Fletcher In Philadelphia" | 1:35 |
| 4. | "A Way Out" | 3:01 |
| 5. | "Dr. Fletcher and the World" | 2:00 |
| 6. | "What Are You Up To, Dennis?" | 1:14 |
| 7. | "Casey Tells the Truth" | 1:40 |
| 8. | "Somebody Save Us" | 2:00 |
| 9. | "Last Rites" | 3:20 |
| 10. | "I Know You Want To Tell Me Something" | 2:33 |
| 11. | "There Are Things That Are Hard To Believe" | 3:07 |
| 12. | "I'm Really Sad You Feel This Way" | 2:52 |
| 13. | "Arrival" | 2:08 |
| 14. | "Meeting the Others" | 3:38 |
| 15. | "The Beast Is On the Move" | 3:09 |
| 16. | "Dr. Fletcher's Death" | 1:42 |
| 17. | "Casey Meets the Beast" | 4:19 |
| 18. | "Kevin Wendell Crumb" | 2:41 |
| 19. | "The Standoff" | 3:24 |
| 20. | "The Rise of the Beast" | 3:38 |
| 21. | "Rejoice" | 3:18 |
| 22. | "The Beast" (Bonus Track) | 3:50 |
| Total length: | 59:34 | |
Personnel
Credits adapted from liner notes:[12]
- Music composer, producer, recording, mixing and cello – West Dylan Thordson
- Mastering – Reuben Cohen
- Music editor – John Carbonara, Suzana Perić
- Music supervisor – Susan Jacobs
- Assistant music supervisor – Jackie Mulhearn\
- Art direction – Kevin Bergeron
- Music business and legal affairs for Universal Pictures – Tanya Perara
- Executive in charge of music for Universal Pictures – Michael Knobloch
- Marketing and production manager For Back Lot Music – Andy Kalyvas, Nikki Walsh
References
- ^ "West Dylan Thordson Scoring M. Night Shyamalan's 'Split'". Film Music Reporter. November 3, 2016. Archived from the original on November 12, 2016. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
- ^ Welch, Alex (November 30, 2016). "Split: M. Night Shyamalan and cast talk the disturbing new thriller". IGN India. Archived from the original on September 4, 2025. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
- ^ a b McCue, Michelle (January 14, 2019). "West Dylan Thordson Provides A Super Sonic Score For M. Night Shyamalan's GLASS". We Are Movie Geeks. Archived from the original on February 21, 2025. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
- ^ "Soundtrack Details for M. Night Shyamalan's 'Split'". Film Music Reporter. January 19, 2017. Archived from the original on March 26, 2017. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
- ^ Roffman, Michael (June 26, 2020). "Unbreakable, Split, and Glass scores compiled in new Eastrail 177 Trilogy vinyl box set". Consequence. Archived from the original on July 23, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
- ^ Anderton, Ethan (June 29, 2020). "Cool Stuff: 'Unbreakable', 'Split', And 'Glass' Get A Deluxe Vinyl Soundtrack Box Set From Waxwork Records". /Film. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
- ^ "Split". Waxwork Records. Archived from the original on March 7, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
- ^ Grierson, Tim (November 17, 2016). "'Split': Review". Screen International. Archived from the original on January 13, 2017. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
- ^ Lemire, Christy (January 20, 2017). "Split movie review & film summary (2017)". RogerEbert.com. Archived from the original on January 20, 2017. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
- ^ Zinos-Amaro, Alvaro (February 2017). "Hex Publishers: Split Movie Review". Hex Publishers. Archived from the original on May 10, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
- ^ Chang, Justin (January 19, 2017). "Review: James McAvoy gets a dazzling actor's showcase in M. Night Shyamalan's return-to-form thriller 'Split'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
- ^ West Dylan Thordson. Split (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (Media notes). Back Lot Music.