The Many Faces of Kevin Wendell Crumb
One of the most intriguing and psychologically complex characters in M. Night Shyamalan’s cinematic universe is undoubtedly Kevin Wendell Crumb. A man with 24 different personalities, his mind is a fragmented battleground, shaped by trauma and survival instincts. But what truly sets him apart is not just his Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)—it’s the emergence of his ultimate form, The Beast, that transforms his story into something deeply philosophical and hauntingly powerful.
A Psychological Thriller Rooted in Trauma
Kevin’s character serves as a manifestation of Shyamalan’s deep fascination with psychology and psychiatry, themes that have been woven into his films since The Sixth Sense (1999) and The Visit (2015). In Split (2016), we follow Dr. Karen Fletcher, a psychiatrist trying to help Kevin manage his many identities. These therapy sessions provide a fascinating glimpse into DID and lay the foundation for Kevin’s internal struggles.
By Glass (2019), the psychological aspect is even more pronounced, as much of the film unfolds within a psychiatric institution. Here, Dr. Ellie Staple attempts to rationalize the seemingly supernatural abilities of Kevin, David Dunn, and Elijah Price, further blurring the line between mental illness and extraordinary human potential.
Kevin’s past is tragic—his father died in a train accident, leaving him to be raised by an abusive mother, who enforced extreme punishments for any lack of cleanliness or order. As a result, his mind splintered into 23 distinct personalities, each serving as a protector from his trauma. Among them:
- Dennis – A rigid, obsessive-compulsive personality who enforces cleanliness and discipline.
- Hedwig – A 9-year-old boy with an unpredictable nature and a penchant for impulsivity.
- Barry – A creative and stylish alter with a passion for fashion and design.
- Patricia – A sophisticated and authoritarian figure with strong control over the other identities.
Each of these personalities exists to shield Kevin from further harm. But then there is The Beast, a figure that transcends the boundaries of DID and emerges as something greater—and far more dangerous.
The Beast: A Prophet of Suffering
The most captivating aspect of Kevin’s character is The Beast and the philosophy he represents. When The Beast takes control, Kevin’s aura changes, always dressed in yellow, a color strongly reminiscent of the mustard-colored cloaks from The Village (2004)—a nod to monastic robes, reinforcing his almost religious presence.
The Beast is more than just another personality—he is a prophet, an evangelist, spreading his belief that the broken are the more evolved. For him, those who have never suffered remain impure, unaware of the true nature of life. His philosophy suggests that only through suffering do people gain strength. The more one endures, the more resilient they become. This belief challenges conventional notions of weakness and trauma, instead framing suffering as a path to enlightenment and power.
What if broken people where the better people? Trauma as catharsis?
Shyamalan’s Genre-Defying Twist
The Beast’s philosophy flips traditional horror tropes upside down. As Shyamalan himself explains:
“In a horror movie, normally if you’re going to get killed, it’s because you had sex. Here, you’re going to get killed because you are good. It’s the reverse. (…) We often label people as ‘broken’ after trauma, as if they are now ‘less’ or no longer whole. But is that true? Are they really weaker? Or are they possibly stronger?”
This philosophical reversal makes Split and Glass stand out. The victims in most horror films are punished for their indulgences. But in Split, The Beast spares those who have suffered and eliminates the “impure” ones—those who have lived protected, unchallenged lives.
Kevin: The Tragic Hero of the Eastrail 177 Trilogy
While Glass presents David Dunn as the traditional hero, Kevin emerges as the most compelling and emotionally resonant character. Unlike Dunn, who simply punishes villains, The Beast actively seeks to protect those who have suffered. His actions blur the line between villain and savior.
Nowhere is this clearer than in Kevin’s heartbreaking bond with Casey Cooke, another survivor of abuse. Their connection is one of the most touching aspects of Glass—two wounded souls finding solace in each other’s pain. Casey is the only person who truly understands Kevin, and when he dies, she is devastated. This emotional depth makes Kevin far more compelling than the conventional hero archetype.
The Beast’s Purpose: A Guardian or an Avenger?
Through Kevin’s character, Shyamalan explores a profound and rarely told story about trauma survivors. In his world, normality is the true danger, while those deemed “abnormal” are worthy of protection.
The Beast embodies this belief—but at a terrible cost. He not only protects the “broken” but also exacts revenge on the “impure”. Is this violence a necessary evil? Or does The Beast need his cruelty to truly fulfill his role as a protector?
One thing is certain—Kevin Wendell Crumb is one of the most thought-provoking, multi-layered characters in modern cinema. His story challenges us to rethink the nature of trauma, strength, and human evolution.
Or, as The Beast himself would say: “Rejoice!”