‘Become Who You Are’: An Examination of Nietzschean Philosophy in M. Night Shyamalan's Eastrail 177 Trilogy
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
English Literature
Minor
Film Studies
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Andrew Black
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
This project applies the philosophical principles of Friedrich Nietzsche to the study of the Eastrail 177 trilogy that was written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan. The films included in this trilogy are Unbreakable (2000), Split (2016), and Glass (2019). The concepts of Nietzsche's philosophy used to examine the films are his ideas of breaking down morality and his Übermensch theory, which can be translated into Superman. I examine how the films' plots and filmmaking techniques convey that the main characters of the film fulfill the requirements to be Übermensch and follow through on challenging morality.
Fall Scholars Week 2026
English and Philosophy Panel
‘Become Who You Are’: An Examination of Nietzschean Philosophy in M. Night Shyamalan's Eastrail 177 Trilogy
This project applies the philosophical principles of Friedrich Nietzsche to the study of the Eastrail 177 trilogy that was written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan. The films included in this trilogy are Unbreakable (2000), Split (2016), and Glass (2019). The concepts of Nietzsche's philosophy used to examine the films are his ideas of breaking down morality and his Übermensch theory, which can be translated into Superman. I examine how the films' plots and filmmaking techniques convey that the main characters of the film fulfill the requirements to be Übermensch and follow through on challenging morality.