In Speak No Evil, director James Watkins invites viewers on a disturbing journey where a seemingly perfect weekend retreat unravels into a twisted psychological nightmare.
The film, a remake of the 2022 Danish thriller, is an absolute blast—combining humour, tension, and horror in equal measure.
The plot centres around two families who bond over a vacation, and decide to reconnect later at one of the couple’s idyllic country estates. What starts as a picturesque escape quickly escalates into a series of unnerving events that test the boundaries of hospitality and sanity.
James McAvoy delivers a tour de force performance as Paddy, the charming yet menacing host who effortlessly switches between affable and terrifying. He’s a villain you love to hate, a character so richly layered that even his darkest moments are tinged with a sinister likability. McAvoy’s portrayal is the heart of the film, and his dynamic with Scoot McNairy’s Ben Dalton is a masterclass in tension. McNairy plays the timid counterpart to McAvoy’s larger-than-life presence, and the contrast between the two amplifies the awkwardness of each encounter, making the eventual unraveling all the more intense.
Mackenzie Davis also shines as Louise Dalton, the protector of her family, in a role that subverts traditional gender roles in horror. Her character’s strength and resilience provide a powerful counterbalance to the escalating chaos, and Davis plays the role with a perfect blend of vulnerability and determination.
While the narrative itself is straightforward, relying heavily on the strength of its performances and direction, it’s the way Speak No Evil manages to blend humor with horror that truly stands out. The film is often hilarious, lulling the audience into a false sense of security with its witty dialogue and absurd situations, only to deliver a gut-punch of violence and suspense when least expected. This tonal whiplash is handled expertly by Watkins, who keeps the audience on edge throughout the film’s runtime.
The slow build-up of tension might feel deliberate, but it’s all in service of the film’s explosive final act. When the suspense finally hits, it hits hard, making the earlier moments of levity feel like a cruel joke in hindsight. The film’s climax is both shocking and inevitable, a fitting end to a story that’s as subversive as it is entertaining.
Speak No Evil is what horror-thrillers should aspire to be—funny, disturbing, and endlessly suspenseful. It’s a movie that delights in playing with your expectations, only to shatter them in the most satisfying way possible.
Fun Fact:
James McAvoy stated that he purposely didn’t watch the original Danish Speak No Evil (2022) before he started work on this remake, so that it wouldn’t influence the interpretation of his role. He watched it within 24 hours after filming was concluded, and was very impressed.
COMMENTS