Speak No Evil (2024)

Blumhouse’s latest offering, Speak No Evil (2024), is a psychological horror remake of the 2022 Dutch film by Christian Tafdrup. With James Watkins at the helm, this English-language retelling aims to recreate the chilling atmosphere of the original while making some notable changes to both the plot and characters. Though the remake delivers moments of tension and unsettling thrills, it falls short of capturing the unnerving, haunting experience of its predecessor.

A Vacation Gone Wrong

The film follows Louise (Mackenzie Davis), Ben (Scoot McNairy), and their daughter Agnes as they embark on a vacation in Italy. While enjoying a seemingly innocent holiday, the family befriends Paddy (James McAvoy), a small-town doctor with a strange, magnetic personality. After being invited to Paddy’s remote farmhouse, the vacation takes a disturbing turn as Louise begins to notice odd behaviors and increasingly sinister actions from their hosts. As the days go on, it becomes clear that the seemingly humble family is hiding something far darker.

At its core, Speak No Evil is a story about the dangers of ignoring social discomfort, of choosing politeness over confronting unsettling behavior, and the consequences of being too passive in the face of danger. These themes are effectively translated to an American audience, but the film struggles to match the slow-building tension and moral complexity of the original.

James McAvoy’s Captivating Performance

James McAvoy brings his usual charm and intensity to the role of Paddy, the unsettling host whose friendliness soon reveals darker intentions. McAvoy plays the character with a manic energy, flitting between charming hospitality and growing menace with ease. His portrayal adds a layer of unpredictability to the film, keeping viewers on edge. While McAvoy’s performance is undoubtedly captivating, there’s a distinct lack of nuance when compared to the original portrayal by Fedja van Huêt. In the Dutch film, the ambiguity surrounding the villain’s motivations is key to its unsettling nature, but McAvoy’s Paddy leaves little room for doubt. He’s evil, and his intentions are clear from the outset, which makes his character feel more one-dimensional in comparison.

Despite this, McAvoy still delivers a performance that serves the film’s pacing well. His charisma keeps you engaged, even as the plot becomes more predictable.

Frustrating Characters and Tension-Filled Plot

Mackenzie Davis does a solid job portraying Louise, the increasingly uneasy wife and mother. As the tension builds, her growing discomfort with their hosts’ behavior contrasts with her husband Ben’s more passive approach to the situation. Scoot McNairy’s portrayal of Ben is intentionally frustrating; he refuses to stand up for his family and continuously dismisses Louise’s concerns, making him a character that’s hard to sympathize with. The dynamic between Louise and Ben is key to the film’s tension, as Louise’s instincts and frustrations slowly drive the narrative forward.

While Davis’s character becomes more sympathetic as Ben’s passivity becomes unbearable, it’s hard to feel fully invested in their fate. The film’s refusal to allow Ben to take a more active role in defending his family makes his character an exasperating presence. This intentional flaw, while true to the narrative’s themes, makes it difficult to care deeply for the characters, even as the stakes grow higher.

A Shifting Ending – From Dread to Action

One of the most notable departures from the original Speak No Evil is the shift in the third act. The original film’s devastating, bleak conclusion is what made it so unforgettable—a brutal commentary on human nature and the consequences of inaction. The remake, however, leans more into an action-driven finale, where justice is delivered and the morally righteous characters come out victorious. While this offers a sense of catharsis, it’s a stark contrast to the unrelenting despair of the original’s ending.

The Americanized conclusion feels more satisfying for mainstream audiences, but it also takes away from the deep, uncomfortable moral ambiguity that the original explored. Instead of leaving us with an unsettling sense of dread, the film opts for a resolution that feels more akin to a typical thriller, complete with a sense of closure and justice.

Visuals and Direction

James Watkins’ direction is competent and visually engaging, with a steady pace that builds tension gradually. He knows how to linger on a shot and use the space to amplify the film’s sense of unease. The atmosphere is thick with dread, and the film’s pacing allows the discomfort to grow over time. Watkins balances restraint with moments of heightened tension, but the visual choices—while effective—lack the haunting complexity of the original.

The changes in the script also help to flesh out the characters of Paddy and his wife, Ciara (Aisling Franciosi), giving them more depth and development than their counterparts in the original. The children in this version also have more to do, allowing the film to feel more grounded in its Western context.

Final Thoughts: A Solid, But Forgettable Remake

In the end, Speak No Evil (2024) is a perfectly competent thriller that offers a satisfying, if conventional, experience. James McAvoy delivers an engaging performance, and the film builds tension effectively, but it ultimately lacks the lingering dread and complexity of the original. The changes made to the third act and character arcs cater to a more mainstream audience, offering a more familiar sense of closure, but at the cost of the original’s unnerving ambiguity.

While Blumhouse’s remake is far from the best English-language retelling of a foreign horror film, it’s still a film worth watching for those who enjoy tense, uncomfortable thrillers with a touch of dark morality. However, if you’re looking for the haunting, emotionally jarring experience that the original provided, you might find yourself longing for the version that left a lasting impression long after the credits rolled.

Rating: 3/5