If you love horror movies, and you’ve watched a great deal of them, you might inevitably reach the dreaded point that you don’t find them scary anymore. From tired tropes to excessive jumpscares, horror aficionados have probably seen them all. In order to get that adrenaline pumping again, viewers need something new and fresh that would make horror films horrifying. Sometimes, a dash of anxiety and trust issues is enough to change everything.
“Speak No Evil” is that kind of film – it turns the thrill or pleasure of meeting new people and making new friends into something skin-crawlingly terrifying. This is quite unlike other recent films that play on the fear of the unknown or some alien creature where the danger is immediate and you have to run. There are no supernatural monsters or malevolent spirits in this film; it’s just humans that choose to be malevolent monsters, which is a genre of film that is completely underrated. There are a few standout films, such as “Get Out” or “X,” but will this iteration of “Speak No Evil” rise to share a seat besides those decorated films, or will it fall on the cobblestone path getting there?
The story follows the Dalton family, comprising Ben (played by Scoot McNairy), Louise (played by Mackenzie Davis), and their daughter Agnes (played by Alix West Lefler), who are on their idyllic European vacation, where they enjoy the sounds, sights, and foods that this new, unfamiliar region has to offer for them. On the Italian leg of their getaway, they meet an eccentric but welcoming people in the form of Patrick, nicknamed “Paddy” for the rest of the film (played by James McAvoy), his wife Ciara (played by Aisling Franciosi), and their non-verbal son, Ant (played by Dan Hough) – and the families hit things off rather swimmingly.
After their vacation, the Daltons face difficulties adjusting to their new life in London and are worn down by the hustle and bustle of city life. They receive a letter from Paddy to come and visit him and his family at his ranch for a vacation, which the Daltons accept. But the dream holiday with friends immediately devolves into a psychological nightmare.
“Speak No Evil” is a horrendously unnerving film that isn’t afraid to wait until you lower your guard before crawling under your skin. The opening sequence is a breath of fresh air from your typical horror movie that opens with a problem or with the antagonist killing a stranger. It gives us the time to better understand the characters, their dynamics, and how they interact with each other. McAvoy is absolutely amazing in his role, as he creates this unnerving balance of trustworthy and wholesome familial figure to an unhinged, unforgiving monster. If you’ve watched his older movie “Split,” you know what to expect, but dial the sense of uneasiness to 11, and you have this film. The fact that he can easily bounce between a kind and understanding host and a savage monster is unreal and impressive.
For his role, McAvoy didn’t shy away from revealing that Andrew Tate was his inspiration. Patty’s toxic masculinity and overbearing personality starkly contrasts with Ben’s meekness and tentativeness. There are instances of bromance in the film, sometimes wholesome, that draws Ben closer to Patty, but most of the time, it’s very weird, like prolonged eye contact. But do not be deceived, as when you begin to see what that’s meant to do, it’s incredibly devious and disgusting.
Louise, on the other hand, is like Patty – sure of what she wants to do and how she wants to do it, both for herself, her husband, and her daughter. However, she can come across as someone who is naggy and overprotective of her daughter, and refuses to acknowledge that she is at fault half of the time. Ciara is much like Ben, a person who doesn’t really show or have any agency at all, but unlike Ben, she enables her partner to do things, regardless of what they are. The parallels are striking when you notice them, even if the roles are reversed between the genders, and is one of the strong points of the film.
The kids, Alix West Lefler and Dan Hough, are also exceptional in their roles. For a large part of the film, we slowly unravel the plot through their interactions. Though Dan hardly has any dialogue in the film, he’s still able to express what he means to convey through his incredible acting. Alix’s character is, admittedly, quite annoying for a large portion of the first and second acts, but as the plot slowly unravels between her and the audience’s eyes, she is the first to act in rallying everyone, and even figures out some ingenious methods to help her family, which is a great arc for someone who could have been written off as a crybaby.
Throughout the film, we see how this dynamic creates a spectacular kind of tension and frustration that you rarely see in a horror movie. The slow buildup, from start to finish, triggers all sorts of alarm bells throughout, and pays off in dividends by the movie’s climax. The film masterfully adds nuggets of subtle hints in the first few minutes that only sharp-eyed viewers can catch; you need to give the film a couple of re-watches if you want to spot them all.
But when all the cards are down and the façade is removed, the stakes are never higher, and we can’t help but be at the edge of our seats, holding our breath. And thankfully, unlike other horror movie protagonists, this family can think for themselves and plan ahead. But the occasional shocks and waves add additional hurdles on the road that we can’t but grind our teeth at.
That said, we need to address the elephant in the room. If you’ve been watching experimental or art house films in the last two years, this movie will remind you of a Danish film that shares the same name, lead-up, and even story – but is extremely depressing. Guess what – this version is a remake. Which is frankly weird, as the original was released only in 2022 and had a darker, more imaginative, and more shocking story beat than its 2024 cousin.
To satisfy the majority of its viewers and make sure they do not leave the theatres as depressed shells, the 2024 version is given a happier, more familiar ending. On the other hand, if you are looking for something depressing or imaginative, feel free to view the original.
The understandable change in tone doesn’t excuse the fact that this remake spoils the major reveal in its trailer, something that’s incredibly irresponsible and disappointing. Not only is it the most shocking scene in the entire film, but it’s also the point of the film, where all those alarm bells that were ringing in our heads go into overdrive and makes us wish the protagonists would just leave while they still can. So if you want to watch this film free from any spoilers, then we implore you to NOT view any trailers.
Overall, “Speak No Evil” is a butt-clenching thriller that seeks to get under your skin with nerve-wracking red flags, disguised as misguided attempts at being good people, then punches you with a massive reveal that confirms all your suspicions. But to get to that, the film masterfully builds up the tension for almost a third of the film’s runtime, something that’s only possible due to the incredible performances of the main cast. Though the ending is less imaginative than its original counterpart, it’s still an exhilarating film to watch and is recommended for those looking for a horror film that isn’t super depressing.
“Speak No Evil” is now playing in theatres nationwide.
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