Film Review - Speak No Evil
Images courtesy of Universal Studios.
The American remake of Speak No Evil is a confident but understated reimagining of the Danish original from just two years ago, directed by James Watkins. Bucking the trend of American remakes such as Let Me In, Quarantine, and The Uninvited by actually keeping the title of its foreign counterpart, this film takes the culture clash elements of its predecessor and transplants them into an American vs British setup, crafting a psychological thriller with a darkly comedic edge.
The story follows the Dalton family: Ben (Scoot McNairy), Louise (Mackenzie Davis), and their daughter Agnes (Alix West Lefler), who, while on holiday in picturesque Italy, have a chance encounter with the charismatic Paddy (James McAvoy) and his enigmatic wife Ciara (Aisling Franciosi), along with their mute son Ant (Dan Hough). Right from the outset, the film cultivates an atmosphere thick with general unease. The Daltons' decision to accept an invitation to Paddy and Ciara's remote countryside estate may seem fairly innocent, but as an audience, we've seen enough horror movies to know better. It's a horrific situation to be in - what if the people hosting you are murderers, or worse still, swingers?
James McAvoy delivers a standout performance as Paddy, effortlessly oscillating between charm and menace with an aura that's best described as big bad wolf by way of grizzled countryman, and backing up this menace with a beefy physicality. His portrayal adds layers of complexity to the character, making him both fascinating and terrifying, and it's genuinely quite enthralling to see McAvoy in a role that makes full use of his incredible acting range. On the other side of the fence, Mackenzie Davis and Scoot McNairy bring a certain believability to their roles as Ben and Louise, capturing the nuances of a couple grappling with their own inadequacies and fears. Their relationship is realistically complex and their reactions to Paddy's bizarre behaviour and parenting methods escalate in a way that feels natural, culminating in a scene that showcases every parent's worst nightmare: being forced to watch their child perform a choreographed dance to Cotton Eye Joe.
The pacing of Speak No Evil (2024) is deliberate, allowing the tension to simmer, bubble and build to a singular boiling point, whereas the Danish original had a far more insidious and creepy tone throughout. Each scene is crafted to draw the audience deeper into the Daltons' predicament - it seems inevitable that something bad will happen, but there was a small part of me that was questioning if it might invert the 2022 film's twist completely. Much like its predecessor, the film's greatest strengths lie in its exploration of social dynamics and the dangers of ignoring one's gut instincts. The original Danish film's critique of polite society is preserved even with the remake’s shift in cultures, offering a poignant commentary on the lengths people will go to maintain appearances and avoid overt interpersonal conflict. It actually functions as a kind of film adaptation of Gavin De Becker’s novel The Gift of Fear: Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence, placing a plethora of red flags in front of its characters in order to observe at what point they try to turn and run.
Speak No Evil (2024) is a commendable remake that honours the original while carving out its own identity ever so slightly, using its idyllic settings as a veil to hide the discomfort lurking underneath. Breaking Blumhouse's cold streak (M3GAN was beginning to feel like so long ago), it's a solid psychological thriller that doubles as a grim dark comedy, making the audience squirm awkwardly as we're forced into the shoes of the Daltons. With strong performances, and a compelling narrative that deviates just enough from the original, Speak No Evil is worth a hearty recommendation for fans of the genre.
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Speak No Evil is screening in cinemas now. For tickets and more info, click here.