Movie Review: Speak No Evil
One-liner: An unnerving lead performance powers this artful, intricate and see-sawing psychological horror thriller remake.
James Watkins’ Speak No Evil is a chilling remake of the 2022 Danish horror-thriller by Christian Tafdrup. Set at an isolated countryside farmhouse, this psychological horror-drama thrusts two couples and their children into a spiraling nightmare, expertly exploring the darkest corners of human nature and social discomfort. The film stars James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Scoot McNary and Aisling Franciosi, with impressive supporting turns from newcomers Alex West-Lefler and Dan Hough.
The story begins with a seemingly innocuous Italian holiday encounter between the rambunctious Paddy and Ciara and the more reserved Ben and Louise. Paddy’s charismatic, daredevil persona leaves an impression, and when Ben receives disappointing news, an invitation to the couple’s remote country home seems like a welcome escape. However, what starts as an adventurous decompression quickly devolves into a series of increasingly inappropriate and tension-filled encounters, expertly navigating the fine line between spontaneity and outright menace.
James McAvoy truly relishes his role as Paddy, a character who masterfully walks a sharp edge, luring his unsuspecting guests into deeply awkward scenarios where his intentions remain disturbingly ambiguous. This uncertainty is the film’s constant companion. As the two families clash over stark differences in parenting and family dynamics, the hosts’ bizarre behavior fuels divisive arguments, yet the guests, for reasons of their own, feel compelled to stay.
Paddy’s wicked sense of humor initially serves to dismiss a creeping danger, locking Ben and Louise into a wayward visit. But as unsettling clues accumulate, it becomes terrifyingly clear that their hosts harbour a very dark secret, one that threatens the lives of their naive visitors. The film skillfully shifts from unconventional to outright creepy, with Paddy and Chiara’s strange marriage becoming a continuous test for Ben and Louise, whose own relationship is already under strain.
Grappling with their marital issues and difficulties with their child, Ben and Louise’s cracks begin to show, amplifying the angst of their forced friendship. Speak No Evil is a slow-boiling psychological thriller where unconventional parenting and relational dynamics steadily escalate as the unhinged couple reveals their true, terrifying nature. McAvoy’s performance here is reminiscent of his role in Split, channeling a similar ferocity and unsettling madness.
“I… can’t… hear… you.”
Much like Jack Nicholson in The Shining, McAvoy masterfully keeps a lid on his character’s instability for a time. His physical transformation, gaining considerable muscle to appear more imposing, further enhances his villainous presence. His emphatic performance is undoubtedly the driving force behind Speak No Evil, as his sinister machinations and threatening aura pervade every scene. Scoot McNary and Mackenzie Davis serve as effective foils, embodying the “new normal” couple against whom Paddy’s disturbing actions are measured. Aisling Franciosi is a worthy counterpoint to McAvoy, fully committing to her role as his partner in crime and intensifying the film’s unsettling atmosphere.
West-Lefler and Hough are superb as the innocent children, forced to obey their parents even when pushed to their limits. Speak No Evil is an artful horror-thriller, beautifully composed through its claustrophobic and intricately designed sets – cluttered, old-timey rooms, eerie decorations – all centred around the isolated farmhouse. The film excels at maintaining a constant sense of dread, toying with audiences who want to believe the best but fear the worst.
Remaining firmly within the human realm, the suspense is palpable as a family version of Wolf Creek unfolds. McAvoy’s captivating and menacing turn, for which he has become known in roles like Split and Pig, is the primary reason to see this tightly wound horror-thriller. He delivers, giving his supporting cast ample material to react to as they struggle to maintain their composure.
Ultimately, Speak No Evil is a worthy remake and a powerful ensemble effort. It delivers chilling and socially awkward scenes with precise balance and disturbing, constant eeriness, crafting memorable horror moments without ever sacrificing its air of suspense. This is a sharp and wild ride that masterfully pushes the limits and then pulls you back in, leaving a lasting, unsettling impression.
The bottom line: Unsettling
