Movie Review: ‘Speak No Evil’
James McAvoy in ‘Speak No Evil’. Photo: Universal Pictures.
Opening in theaters on September 13th, ‘Speak No Evil’ takes the basic concept of a 2022 Danish chiller with a shocking, politically charged and pitch-black ending and reimagines it for American audiences in a way that still works.
Although some might argue that the harder edges of the original –– which (spoiler alert if you haven’t seen it) end with a child murdered and a couple stoned to death that carry strong echoes of the Holocaust –– have been shaken off. Here, there are still plenty of shocks and surprises to keep you guessing.
Related Article: James McAvoy Talks ‘Speak No Evil’ and Plays His Evil Character
Does it shout ‘Speak No Evil’ with pride?
(L to R) Ben Dalton (Scoot McNairy) and Paddy (James McAvoy) in Speak No Evil, directed by James Watkins.
Director Christian Tuffdrop’s original film script (written with brother Mads) shocked –– and, in some cases, shocked those who saw it as part of the 2022 Sundance Film Festival. The big question was whether anyone would risk trying to remake it.
Now we have our answer, as the Blumhouse team has stepped up to do just that, hiring ‘Eden Lake’ and ‘The Woman in Black’ writer/director James Watkins to bring his own flair and style to the new movie. And while he’s certainly made some big changes, the twisty story fueled by great work from the likes of James McAvoy, Scoot McNairy and Mackenzie Davis certainly makes for an enjoyable tense time at the movies.
Scripts and instructions
James McAvoy and director James Watkins on the set of ‘Speak No Evil’. Photo: Universal Pictures.
Watkins is no stranger to filmmaking – after all, ‘Eden Lake’ doesn’t end with jokes and laughs. But what he chooses with ‘Speak No Evil’ is certainly interesting. Does it give the new movie the edge to justify the remake entirely? Not always, but it’s enough.
Here, he borrows the basic premise of the Danish film –– two families interacting in a way that is built on different cultural understandings of politeness and manners, albeit to a less rigid degree than in the original, since Americans and Brits share so much. They nevertheless have other, different themes here, including toxic masculinity, guilt, financial struggles and misunderstandings.
His script gives McAvoy some great moments in particular, but serves the entire small cast well, adding agency to the young characters that the Danish film lacks.
On the visual front, isolated farmhouses and rugged countryside offer interest and drama as they serve, while Watkins and regular cinematographer Tim Morris-Jones get great mileage out of Italian and UK vistas.
Performance
McAvoy has the nicest part, but he’s very well supported by the others, who all enjoy dimensional characters and moments to shine.
James McAvoy as Paddy
Paddy (James McAvoy) in ‘Speak No Evil’ directed by James Watkins.
A fascinating character brought to life by Paddy McAvoy, a bubbly, visually charming but often irrepressible mix of masculine energy and opinion. Watkins, with a canny, well-structured script, slowly builds the tension until Paddy’s true intentions become clear.
Scoot McNairy as Ben Dalton
Agnes Dalton (Alix West Leffler), Ben Dalton (Scoot McNairy), and Louise Dalton (Mackenzie Davis) in Speak No Evil, directed by James Watkins.
As one half of the befriending couple Paddy and his wife, McNairy brings big “beta male” energy to Ben, a passive businessman who relocates his family to London for his career but sees his fortunes plummet. Like McAvoy, he commits to the role, bringing a nervous energy to the character who fears he’ll never match Paddy –– but has strength where it counts.
Mackenzie Davis as Louise Dalton
Louise Dalton (Mackenzie Davis) in ‘Speak No Evil’ directed by James Watkins.
Lewis may be the most complex character in the movie. A protective mother, a concerned wife but a fully rounded human being with her own drives and secrets. And he’s a badass when called upon.
It also doesn’t hurt that Davis and McNairy spent years working together (though not playing husband and wife) on the AMC TV series ‘Halt and Catch Fire’ and bring their long experience to on-screen relationships.
Aisling Franciosi as Ciara
(L to R) Paddy (James McAvoy) and Ciara (Aisling Francioci) in Speak No Evil, directed by James Watkins.
Although Franciosi’s role is small, he also gets some good moments, especially when the true nature of Paddy and Ciara’s behavior is revealed. He and McAvoy have a great dynamic.
Supporting cast
(L to R) Ant (Dan Hough) and Agnes Dalton (Alix West Leffler) in Speak No Evil, directed by James Watkins.
While the cast is understandably kept small, there are some other noteworthy performances. Alix West Leffler is good in her small role as Ben and Louise’s daughter Agnes, as one of Watkins’ key changes is to give the family’s children some more agency. Along with Dan Hough, who makes a strong debut as Ant, Paddy and Ciara’s son, the man who gives Agnes and the others the key to Paddy’s dark side, without saying anything. Finally, there’s Chris Hitchens as Mike, Paddy and Ciara’s friendly neighborhood pub owner and chef, who has a similar dark side.
final thought
Agnes Dalton (Alix West Leffler), Louise Dalton (Mackenzie Davis) and Ben Dalton (Scoot McNairy) in ‘Speak No Evil’ directed by James Watkins.
There will always be those who decry remakes as unnecessary and creatively bankrupt. But when you have a film as innovative and entertaining as Speak No Evil, it’s a welcome reminder that this isn’t always the case.
While it won’t shock anyone in the same way as the original, the new version is certainly exciting and thrilling, and will keep you guessing as it puts its characters through the ringer.
Yes, it’s more straightforward, but it has its own dark charm.
‘Speak No Evil’ received 7.5 out of 10 stars.
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1 hour 50 minutes13th September, 2024
Showtimes and tickets
When an American family is invited to spend the weekend at the idyllic country estate of a charming British family they befriended on vacation, what begins… Read Plot
What is the plot of ‘Speak No Evil’?
A dream vacation in a beautiful country house turns into a psychological nightmare.
Who is in the cast of ‘Speak No Evil’?
- James McAvoy as Paddy
- Mackenzie Davis as Louise Dalton
- Scoot McNairy as Ben Dalton
- Aisling Franciosi as Ciara
- Alix West Leffler as Agnes Dalton
- Dan Hough as Ant
(L to R) Ant (Dan Hough), Ciara (Aisling Francioci), and Paddy (James McAvoy) in Speak No Evil, directed by James Watkins.
