10 Must-See Films That Use Split Screen: From Horror to Drama, See How Filmmakers Create Unique Visual Effects

 by Sherif M. Awad

Split screen is a technique used in filmmaking to show multiple scenes simultaneously on a single screen. It is a popular technique used by filmmakers to create unique visual effects, emphasize different perspectives, and create a sense of tension or drama. In this article, we will explore ten films that use split screen in different ways to tell their stories.

"The Boston Strangler" (1968)

"The Boston Strangler" is a crime drama based on the real-life case of the Boston Strangler. The film uses split screen to show two different scenes happening simultaneously. In one scene, the police are questioning a suspect, while in the other scene, the Strangler is shown committing another murder. This split-screen technique emphasizes the tension and urgency of the investigation and creates a sense of unease and dread.

"Woodstock" (1970)

"Woodstock" is a documentary film about the famous music festival held in 1969. The film uses split screen to show multiple performances happening simultaneously on different stages. This technique allows the viewer to experience the energy and excitement of the festival and highlights the diversity of the musical acts.

"Carrie" (1976)

"Carrie" is a horror film about a teenage girl with telekinetic powers who is bullied by her classmates. The film uses split screen to show the aftermath of a cruel prank played on Carrie at the school prom. The split screen shows Carrie's reaction and the reactions of her classmates, emphasizing the horror and shock of the moment.

"Rocky III" (1982)

"Rocky III" is a sports drama about a boxer who must overcome personal and professional challenges to regain his championship title. The film uses split screen to show Rocky and his opponent training and preparing for their upcoming fight. This technique emphasizes the contrast between the two fighters' approaches to training and creates a sense of competition and tension.

"Nashville" (1975)

"Nashville" is a musical drama set in the country music capital of Nashville, Tennessee. The film uses split screen to show multiple storylines happening simultaneously. This technique allows the viewer to see how the different characters' lives intersect and interact with each other and creates a sense of chaos and unpredictability.

"24 Hour Party People" (2002)

"24 Hour Party People" is a biographical comedy-drama about the Manchester music scene in the 1980s and 1990s. The film uses split screen to show real-life footage of concerts and performances, interspersed with reenactments of the events. This technique creates a sense of immersion in the music scene and emphasizes the energy and excitement of the performances.

"Run Lola Run" (1998)

"Run Lola Run" is a German thriller about a woman who must race against time to save her boyfriend's life. The film uses split screen to show three different versions of the same story, each with different outcomes. This technique emphasizes the importance of small decisions and chance occurrences in shaping the course of our lives.

"Sliding Doors" (1998)

"Sliding Doors" is a romantic comedy-drama about a woman whose life takes two different paths depending on whether or not she catches a train. The film uses split screen to show the two different versions of the story happening simultaneously. This technique emphasizes the importance of timing and chance in shaping our lives and creates a sense of parallel universes.

"The Thomas Crown Affair" (1968)

"The Thomas Crown Affair" is a heist thriller about a wealthy businessman who masterminds a bank robbery. The film uses split screen to show the different elements of the heist happening simultaneously. This technique creates a sense of tension and excitement and emphasizes the meticulous planning and

"Deuces Wild" (2002)

"Deuces Wild" is a crime drama set in 1950s Brooklyn, about rival gangs fighting for control of the streets. The film uses split screen to show multiple scenes happening simultaneously, often contrasting the actions of the two rival gangs. This technique creates a sense of tension and chaos, emphasizing the violence and danger of the gang world.

The split screen technique has been used in many different genres of film, from horror to musicals to crime dramas. It allows filmmakers to show multiple perspectives and storylines simultaneously, creating a sense of immersion and tension for the viewer. By juxtaposing different scenes or actions side by side, split screen can emphasize contrasts and similarities, highlight important details, and create a unique visual effect.

In "The Boston Strangler," the split screen technique is used to show the tension and urgency of a police investigation. By showing the police questioning a suspect and the Strangler committing another murder at the same time, the viewer is reminded of the stakes of the investigation and the danger posed by the killer.

In "Woodstock," split screen is used to emphasize the diversity of the musical acts at the festival. By showing multiple performances happening simultaneously on different stages, the viewer is immersed in the energy and excitement of the festival and can appreciate the variety of music on offer.

In "Carrie," split screen is used to highlight the horror and shock of a pivotal moment in the film. By showing Carrie's reaction and the reactions of her classmates side by side, the viewer is reminded of the emotional impact of the event and the cruelty of the bullies.

In "Rocky III," split screen is used to create a sense of competition and tension between the two boxers. By showing Rocky and his opponent training and preparing for their fight simultaneously, the viewer is reminded of the stakes of the match and the contrasting styles of the fighters.

In "Nashville," split screen is used to show the chaos and unpredictability of multiple storylines happening at the same time. By juxtaposing different scenes and characters side by side, the viewer is reminded of the interconnectedness of the characters' lives and the potential for drama and conflict.

In "24 Hour Party People," split screen is used to create a sense of immersion in the Manchester music scene. By showing real-life footage of concerts and performances interspersed with reenactments of the events, the viewer is reminded of the energy and excitement of the music scene.

In "Run Lola Run," split screen is used to show the importance of small decisions and chance occurrences in shaping our lives. By showing three different versions of the same story simultaneously, the viewer is reminded of the impact of small choices and the potential for different outcomes.

In "Sliding Doors," split screen is used to create a sense of parallel universes and emphasize the importance of timing and chance in shaping our lives. By showing two different versions of the same story happening simultaneously, the viewer is reminded of the potential for different outcomes based on small decisions and random chance.

In "The Thomas Crown Affair," split screen is used to create a sense of tension and excitement during a heist. By showing the different elements of the heist happening simultaneously, the viewer is reminded of the meticulous planning and execution required for a successful heist.

Finally, in "Deuces Wild," split screen is used to emphasize the violence and danger of the gang world. By showing the actions of the rival gangs side by side, the viewer is reminded of the stakes of the conflict and the brutality of the gang lifestyle.

Brian de Palma

He is an American film director and screenwriter known for his innovative use of split screen in his movies. He first gained fame in the 1970s with his suspenseful, visually stunning thrillers, and he has continued to experiment with the technique of split screen throughout his career. De Palma is known for his use of split screen to create tension, suspense, and a sense of voyeurism in his films.

One of De Palma's most famous uses of split screen is in his 1976 film "Carrie." In the film's climactic scene, split screen is used to show the prom queen, Carrie White, unleashing her telekinetic powers while her tormentors are simultaneously being killed in various gruesome ways. The split screen creates a sense of chaos and heightened tension, as the audience sees multiple perspectives of the same event.

Another notable example of De Palma's use of split screen can be seen in his 1981 film "Blow Out." In this film, split screen is used to show the protagonist, a sound engineer named Jack Terry, as he tries to piece together a political conspiracy. The split screen is used to show Jack's perspective alongside the perspective of the villains, creating a sense of suspense and unease as the audience sees both sides of the story.

De Palma has continued to use split screen in his later films, such as "Mission to Mars" (2000) and "Femme Fatale" (2002). In "Femme Fatale," De Palma uses split screen to show the same event from multiple angles, creating a sense of mystery and uncertainty.

Overall, Brian de Palma's use of split screen is a unique and effective technique that adds depth and complexity to his films. His mastery of the technique has made him one of the most influential filmmakers of his generation, and his legacy continues to inspire filmmakers today.

In conclusion, split screen is a versatile and effective technique used by filmmakers to create unique visual effects and emphasize different perspectives and storylines. Whether used to create tension and drama, highlight contrasts and similarities, or emphasize the importance of small