2022’s Speak No Evil, helmed by Danish filmmaker Christian Tafdrup, is a unique and scathing social commentary. The psychological horror-thriller’s dark ending left a profound impact on its initial Sundance Film Festival premiere, cementing it as a memorable and terrifying international story to North American viewers in attendance. The unique premise of two couples of different nationalities becoming embroiled in an intense fight for survival could naturally lend itself to a different interpretation should the proper creative team attempt to do so. Enter writer-director James Watkins (Eden Lake, The Woman in Black), who has now crafted a Blumhouse-produced rendition led by a terrifically twisted performance from former X-Men star James McAvoy.
The 2024 remake of Speak No Evil is a reinterpretation with integrity. Based on the concept used in the 2022 Danish film of the same name, James Watkin’s updated version of the story centers on an American couple, Louise (Mackenzie Davis) and Ben Dalton (Scoot McNairy), and their daughter Agnes (Alix West Lefler) as they visit British couple Paddy (James McAvoy) and Ciara (Aisling Franciosi). The two couples had initially met on vacation, becoming fast friends and leading Louise and Ben to receive an invitation from Paddy to visit them and stay at their idyllic country house. The Daltons see it as a chance to help mend their struggling relationship and get their anxiety-ridden daughter to come out of her shell. However, as soon as they arrive, it becomes clear that something is off with the British couple and the treatment of their mute son, Ant (Dan Hough).
What follows are dramatic reenactments of some of the most uncomfortable social scenarios one could imagine. James Watkin’s Speak No Evil preys on the social anxieties of the audience, putting Louise and Ben in as awkward a position as possible. The Blumhouse remake provides a sense of second-hand embarrassment and terror that separates it from other horror films released this past year. Moreover, it skillfully balances uncomfortable and, at times, hilarious moments, keeping the viewer engaged throughout. James McAvoy’s Paddy does most of the heavy lifting as the dominant one of the British couple, intentionally trying to push the envelope with both Ben and Louise. Unfortunately, Aisling Franciosi’s character of Ciara isn’t given as much to do as the rest of the cast, which in turn is a small detriment to the script and themes of the movie.
Speak No Evil hinges on the performances of its small cast, and they do not disappoint. Mackenzie Davis (Halt and Catch Fire, Station Eleven) and Scoot McNairy (True Detective, Narcos: Mexico) brilliantly play the American couple in over their heads, giving a sense of relatability that helps ground the horror in realism. This allows Speak No Evil to strike just the right balance of discomfort. Of course, none of this would be possible without McAvoy and Franciosi as British couple Paddy and Ciara. Paddy becomes the physical representation of toxic masculinity, a horror villain who walks the fine line between subtlety and unconcealed, constantly leaving viewers guessing as to what he’s going to do next.
There are clear, sinister intentions from the British couple that Ben doesn’t want to see, creating different character dynamics that benefit from James Watkins’ deliberately slow pace. James McAvoy and Scoot McNairy’s characters have a twisted physical relationship entirely dependent on Ben’s insecurities, which Paddy preys on. Their chemistry leads to exciting, intimate scenes that almost feel genuine, as McNairy’s vulnerability is authentic. McAvoy’s sick manipulation teeters on heartfelt support for Ben’s relationship troubles with Louise. On the opposite side of the spectrum is Louise, a resilient but flawed lead who helps further ground the story. Ben doesn’t have his family’s best interests in mind during their trip; instead, he tries to appear in control in a pathetic attempt to impress Paddy. It’s Louise who pushes back, not only giving a performance that plays off Paddy cleverly but also provides timely commentary on archaic gender roles.
Additionally, there are the performances of the child actors who both help push the narrative forward. Alix West Lefler and Dan Hough provide impressive depth rarely seen from younger actors in horror movies, each playing children with trauma and fears that push them to try and take control or help to show Louise and Ben the real danger they are all in. Agnes and Ant are not only engaging characters, but they also help propel the plot and keep the 1-hour-and 50-minute runtime feeling concise despite the slow buildup in the beginning. The music by composers Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurriaans helps elevate the tense atmosphere as well. At the same time, cinematographer Tim Maurice-Jones captures the beautiful English countryside in a way that gives the audience a grave perspective on the isolation our characters find themselves in.
The dark and unnerving humor throughout Speak No Evil ties together all these previously mentioned technical and artistic aspects. As awkward and horrific as the film can get, there’s a layer of self-awareness to the absurdity of James McAvoy’s Paddy, with uncomfortable scenes that drag on just too long and turn the scares into nervous laughter from viewers. Thankfully, filmmaker James Watkins knows the limits to the comedic aspects of his screenplay, and by the time the third act of the home invasion kicks in, the horror Blumhouse fans have come to expect doesn’t disappoint. Mackenzie Davis’ physicality in her fight for survival is plausible and incredibly entertaining, and the tonal shift of this third act helps to accentuate what makes this Hollywood remake stand out from its 2022 Danish counterpart.
2022’s Speak No Evil is infamous for its brutal and unforgiving ending. However, the 2024 remake goes in an entirely different direction to emphasize the cultural differences between the couples in each of the movies. Thankfully, the critical changes to the original story aren’t a detriment to this Hollywood production. Quite the contrary, it’s a refreshing and bold conclusion that is more than a worthy companion to the original film. In an age of constant reboots, remakes, and legacy sequels, writer-director James Watkins crafts his own version of the story that expands upon the striking social commentary of the Danish film while adding his own uncomfortable yet engaging take on a couple that doesn’t know when to set boundaries.
Speak No Evil hits theaters on September 13!
Release Date: September 13, 2024.
Directed by James Watkins.
Screenplay by James Watkins.
Based on Speak No Evil by Christian Tafdrup & Mads Tafdrup.
Produced by Jason Blum & Paul Ritchie.
Executive Producers: Jacob Jarek, Paul Ritchie, Beatriz Sequeira, & Christian Tafdrup.
Main Cast: James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Scoot McNairy, Aisling Franciosi, Alix West Lefler, & Dan Hough.
Cinematographer: Tim Maurice-Jones.
Composers: Danny Bensi & Saunder Jurriaans.
Production Company: Blumhouse Productions.
Distributor: Universal Pictures.
Runtime: 110 minutes.
Rated R.
