By Maria Bregman, writer and film critic
M. Night Shyamalan’s Glass marked the culmination of his “Eastrail 177 Trilogy,” merging the narratives of Unbreakable (2000), Split (2016), and Glass (2019). This trilogy, named after the ill-fated train central to the first film, is a thoughtful meditation on superheroes, villains, and the human condition. Through his distinct lens, Shyamalan examines belief systems, human trauma, and the societal fascination with comic book mythology. To fully grasp the philosophical depth of Glass, one must revisit the core ideas explored in its predecessors, Unbreakable and Split.
Superhero Origins in Unbreakable
In Unbreakable, we meet David Dunn, a seemingly ordinary man who miraculously survives a catastrophic train crash without sustaining a single injury. In his quest to understand this anomaly, he encounters Elijah Price, a comic book enthusiast and shop owner suffering from osteogenesis imperfecta, a condition that makes his bones extremely fragile. Elijah, later revealed as the manipulative “Mr. Glass,” becomes obsessed with proving the existence of superhumans.
Through their interactions, Shyamalan introduces the idea that comic books are not mere fiction but a modern retelling of ancient myths. Elijah posits that superheroes are real, their stories grounded in truth, much like the murals of Egyptian gods and demigods juxtaposed against scenes of ordinary life.
This exploration of archetypes leads to the discovery of David’s latent abilities – his superhuman strength, psychic intuition, and vulnerability to water due to childhood trauma. Elijah’s belief in a universal balance pushes him to orchestrate catastrophes to uncover David’s existence, revealing himself as David’s ideological opposite: the brittle mastermind to the indestructible hero.
The Psychology of Pain in Split
Split delves into the complexities of trauma, introducing Kevin Wendell Crumb, a man with dissociative identity disorder (DID). Abused by his mother as a child, Kevin’s psyche fractures into 23 distinct personalities, collectively referred to as “The Horde.” Among them is “The Beast,” a 24th persona embodying primal strength and near-invincibility, achieved through a philosophy that suffering purifies and elevates individuals.
Kevin’s transformation into The Beast represents the Nietzschean ideal of overcoming adversity. His belief that those who endure great pain are “pure” draws a chilling parallel to Friedrich Nietzsche’s concept of the Übermensch – a being transcending the limitations of humanity. However, The Beast’s ideology takes a darker turn as he targets the “unscarred,” viewing them as impure and unworthy of life.
Casey Cooke, Kevin’s young captive, emerges as the sole survivor of his wrath. Her own scars, both emotional and physical, resonate with The Beast, leading him to spare her. This narrative underscores Shyamalan’s recurring motif: the transformative power of trauma. Casey’s survival is not just a testament to her strength but a catalyst for her to confront and overcome her abusive past.
Faith and Identity in Glass
In the trilogy’s climactic chapter, Glass, David, Kevin, and Elijah are confined in a psychiatric facility under the care of Dr. Ellie Staple. She seeks to convince them that their extraordinary abilities are merely delusions of grandeur, rooted in psychological and physiological phenomena.
Shyamalan here questions the nature of belief. How powerful must one’s faith in their own identity be to unlock the extraordinary? For David, his abilities stem from a near-death drowning incident in childhood. For Kevin, it is the survival instinct born from years of abuse. This narrative aligns with Shyamalan’s thematic assertion that pain and belief are catalysts for transformation.
Elijah, the orchestrator of the film’s events, devises a plan to expose the trio’s abilities to the world. Though the climactic battle occurs not atop a skyscraper but in the mundane setting of a hospital courtyard, it is imbued with profound symbolism. By capturing and disseminating the footage of their confrontation, Elijah ensures that their stories endure, planting the seed for a world where superhuman abilities are acknowledged and perhaps even celebrated.
The Subversion of the Superhero Genre
Unlike traditional superhero films that revel in spectacle, Glass is a contemplative, anti-comic book narrative. It deconstructs the tropes of the genre, reframing them as philosophical inquiries. What happens when extraordinary individuals exist in a world that refuses to believe in them? Shyamalan offers no easy answers but instead invites the audience to grapple with the tension between reality and myth.
The secret organisation led by Dr. Staple, revealed as a centuries-old society suppressing superhumans to maintain societal order, introduces a chilling perspective on power dynamics. Their aim to eliminate chaos by eradicating those with abilities reflects an age-old fear: the disruption of societal norms by the emergence of the extraordinary.
A Legacy of Imperfection
Though Glass received mixed critical reception, its ambition and originality cannot be overlooked. Shyamalan crafts a narrative that lingers in the mind, forcing viewers to confront questions about the nature of power, belief, and human potential.
The trilogy as a whole is not without its inconsistencies and unanswered questions – why have so few superhumans emerged in a world steeped in comic lore? What drives the altruism or villainy of those with abilities? Yet, these imperfections contribute to its charm, underscoring Shyamalan’s willingness to challenge the conventions of Hollywood storytelling.
Ultimately, Glass is less about the spectacle of superheroism and more about its philosophical underpinnings. It is a tale of individuals searching for meaning, connection, and a place in a world that often dismisses the extraordinary as mere fantasy. Through its layered narrative, the trilogy cements itself as a bold and thought-provoking entry in the ever-expanding universe of superhero cinema.
Shyamalan may have closed the chapter on this story, but the questions it raises continue to resonate. In a genre dominated by predictable formulas, Glass dares to be different, carving out a space where introspection and innovation thrive. Its legacy, like its characters, is a testament to the power of belief in the face of doubt.
