Speak No Evil
★ ★ ★ ½
Speak No Evil is a remake of a 2022 Danish film. Like its predecessor, this thriller takes a brutal look at how far a family will allow their weekend hosts to push their boundaries for the sake of politeness. It’s a concept worth pondering. While being kind is generally a good thing, it can lead us down the path of disaster when used against us.
A film like this has something to say. It makes us think about our social interactions as we leave the safe confines of the theater and head back to the real world.
Mackenzie Davis Scoot McNairy and Alix West Lefler
© 2024 Blumhouse Productions / Universal Pictures
This version starts off nearly as a shot-for-shot remake of the original but then deviates into its own story while keeping the original concept and theme.
The Dalton family – Ben (Scoot McNairy), Louise (Mackenzie Davis) and Agnes (Alix West Lefler) – are vacationing abroad when they befriend another family: Paddy (James McAvoy), Ciara (Aisling Franciosi) and 8-year old Ant (Dan Hough).
The families hit it off so well, Paddy and Ciara later send the Daltons a postcard with a picture of both families on vacation, inviting them to come stay with them over a weekend. Ben and Louise decide it would be a fun getaway and arrange to visit.
Alix West Lefler as Agness and Dan Hough as Ant
© 2024 Blumhouse Productions / Universal Pictures
At first, Paddy and Ciara are incredibly accommodating. Paddy spends all day roasting a goose, despite Louise making it clear she’s a vegetarian. Paddy is charming enough to pressure Louise to try the first bite of goose meat from the best part. To Ben’s surprise, she tries a bite but spits it out when no one is looking.
As the film progresses, Paddy will push the Dalton family’s boundaries. At first, it’s a series of seemingly minor situations. Taken together, Paddy has no problem crossing the lines the Daltons try to set. Ciara acts as Paddy’s enabler, explaining his behavior to put Ben and Louise at ease. Yet Ciara finds her own ways of crossing the parental line Louise has set with Agnes.
James McAvoy as Paddy and Aisling Franciosi as Ciara
© 2024 Blumhouse Productions / Universal Pictures
Young Ben has problems speaking. It’s explained to the Daltons that he has an underdeveloped tongue. Still, Agnes and Ben get along well and seem to have the only healthy relationship in the film.
The Danish version takes an incredibly dark and brutal turn by the film’s end that’s poignant and profoundly disturbing. Here, we’re given more of a Hollywood climax where our protagonists attempt to fight back and escape once they realize what Paddy and Ciara have planned for them.
Dan Hough as Ant
© 2024 Blumhouse Productions / Universal Pictures
The darker approach in the original is a more chilling answer to the question: “Why are you doing this?” Both films answer the question, “Because you let us.” The answer is a little less impactful in this newer version.
This film’s deviation from the origina’s dark ending creates a tense thriller that will keep you in suspense until the end. If you’ve seen the original, you’ll second guess your conclusions as the story reaches its climax.
Scoot McNairy as Ben
© 2024 Blumhouse Productions / Universal Pictures
James McAvoy is astoundingly convincing as psychopathic Paddy, portraying him as ferociously sinister as he pushes against Ben and Louise’s every last nerve.
Speak No Evil is a taught, compelling thriller that might cause you to think twice before booking a vacation with friends.
Running Time: 1h 50m
Directed by: James Watkins
Written by:
James Watkins
Starring: James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Scoot McNairy, Aislig Franciosi, Alix West, Dan Hough
Horror, Mystery & Thriller, Drama
