James McAvoy Praises Inde Navarrette, Likens 'Obsession' Performance to His 'Split' Role

James McAvoy has compared Inde Navarrette's performance in the psychological horror film Obsession with the acting challenge he faced in M. Night Shyamalan's 2016 thriller Split. In a new interview, the Scottish actor discussed Navarrette's portrayal of Nikki and the unsettling emotional shifts that help drive the film's story.

McAvoy highlighted Navarrette's 'ability to pivot ... from moment to moment', explaining that this was also part of what audiences appreciated about his performance in Split. He also joked about comparing himself with a newer actor before adding that Navarrette's psychological shifts were disturbing in their own right.

What Did James McAvoy Say About Inde Navarrette?

Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast with host Josh Horowitz, McAvoy highlighted Navarrette's 'ability to pivot ... from moment to moment', describing the psychological effect of her performance as disturbing in itself. 'The psychological right angle she's capable of in that film is disturbing in itself,' he said.

'It's not just impressive, it's not just ... dexterous acting, it's also part of what's scary about her,' McAvoy added.

The comparison with Split is particularly relevant because McAvoy played Kevin Wendell Crumb, a character portrayed as having 23 distinct identities, with another emerging by the end of the film. His performance required him to move between personalities with different voices, mannerisms and emotional states, making the role one of the defining performances of his career.

Why 'Split' Still Pays James McAvoy Residuals

During the same podcast appearance, McAvoy also revealed that Split is the only film in his career that consistently earns him meaningful residual payments.

'The only one that really consistently pays me is Split,' he said, explaining that payments from other projects can be surprisingly small. He recalled receiving occasional cheques for a few hundred pounds, while others amounted to just 25 cents.

McAvoy estimated that Split cost around $6 million (£4.5 million) to make, with approximately $30 million (£22.5 million) spent on advertising. Box Office Mojo lists the film's production budget at $9 million (£6.8 million). The thriller earned approximately $40 million (£30 million) during its US opening weekend.

'So we were in profit,' he explained, adding that his first residual cheque arrived at the end of that opening weekend. He described the result as 'bonkers' and praised Shyamalan as 'super smart' for the way he approached filmmaking.

What Is 'Obsession' About?

Directed by Curry Barker, Obsession follows Bear, played by Michael Johnston, a young man who uses a supernatural object called the One Wish Willow in an attempt to make his crush, Nikki, fall in love with him.

His wish is granted, but the result is far more disturbing than he anticipates. Nikki's behaviour becomes increasingly unpredictable, turning Bear's romantic fantasy into a psychological nightmare.

Navarrette, who previously played Sarah Cushing in Superman & Lois, takes on the role of Nikki, whose changing behaviour drives much of the film's tension. The story explores the consequences of trying to control another person's feelings and the dangers of confusing obsession with love.

James McAvoy Says Horror Performances Deserve More Recognition

McAvoy's remarks also touched on the lack of awards recognition for horror performances. Despite the attention surrounding his work in Split, he did not receive a major industry award nomination for the role.

'Some horror performances or scary movie performances are kind of breaking through now, but even then it's not that many,' he said.

The actor suggested that horror performers continue to receive less recognition than their work warrants, despite the demands of the genre. His comments reflect a longstanding debate about whether awards bodies give sufficient attention to horror films compared with conventional dramas.

What's Next for Inde Navarrette and James McAvoy?

Obsession has brought Navarrette to a wider audience, while McAvoy continues to discuss his career and his move behind the camera with California Schemin', his directorial debut.

His comparison between Navarrette's role and Split highlights the demands of portraying dramatic emotional shifts. His comments about residuals also offer a glimpse into the financial side of a film that has remained particularly rewarding for him years after its release.