Speak No Evil – Film Review
by Fran Winston

Directed by: James Watkins
Starring:  James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Aisling Franciosi, Alix West Lefler, Dan Hough, Scoot McNairy

In cinemas now

This latest Blumhouse offering is a remake of a truly chilling 2022 Danish film of the same name. If you have seen that you will recognise that some changes have been made to this – particularly the ending. Therefore, it still has surprises to offer even for fans of the original.

Its premise sees British couple Paddy (McAvoy) and wife Ciara (Francosi) who have a young son Ant (Hough) invite an American couple they met on holiday, Louise (Davis) and Ben (McNairy) along with their daughter Agnes (West), to stay with them in their rural farmhouse.

It quickly becomes apparent that the families have far less in common than they seemed to when they met in Italy. Young Ant is clearly troubled and many of Paddy and Ciara’s seemingly laid-back ways don’t sit well with the straight-laced and polite Ben and Louise.

However, the truth is even more sinister than the houseguests can imagine and when it finally comes to light it sees them fighting for their lives.

Every single performance in this is brilliant including the child actors who deal with some very heavy themes. McAvoy is fantastic as Paddy and shows shades of his characters from his 2016 thriller Split as he flits between jovial and dark here.

The rural setting gives a claustrophobic and isolated feel which adds to the tension and also allows for some wonderful cinematography. The house itself is nearly as much a character in this film as the actors.

While it appears to take a while to get going it becomes apparent that Watkins is simply sucking the audience in, in much the same way as Louise and Ben get sucked into Paddy and Ciara’s world. If you haven’t seen the original you will be aware something is not quite right but won’t quite put your finger on it making the reveal even more shocking. If you have seen the original there are enough significant changes to the story to make this seem fresh.

This is the kind of film designed to give you the heebie-jeebies and also provoke thought. While on the surface it is a chilling tale there are much deeper themes running throughout including an examination of domestic abuse and control.

It leaves you with more questions than it answers, and the conclusion doesn’t feel satisfying or cathartic. Despite this, it is extremely engaging and lingers after the credits role. While it doesn’t surpass the original this does hold up as a solid chiller with its own merits.