Speak No Evil(2024)(Review) - Gruesome Gazette

Another year, another Blumhouse remake forced upon the masses. Much like everyone else, I was very skeptical at the announcement of an English language U.S. remake of a Scandinavian horror film that came out only a year prior. ‘Speak No Evil’ was one of my favorite films of 2022. It’s bleak, stomach churning, constantly stressful, and an excellent exercise in nihilism. But starring name James McAvoy, plus the director James Watkins (Eden Lake, The Woman in Black) has an eye for aggressive, dreadful storytelling. So, with my arms folded across my chest and my blue ICEE, I went to check out the 2024 remake of ‘Speak No Evil.’

An American family on vacation in Italy run into an English family at the same resort. They seem to be the only people there they can laugh and relax wtih, plus they both have a child that are roughly the same age as each other. When they return home from vacation and return to the mundanity of everyday life, the Americans receive a postcard from the English family inviting them to a weekend at their home. They are hesitant to respond, but ultimately decide to do so.

When they arrive, things are culturally and socially awkward, but overall it doesn’t feel much worse than that. It’s not until lines are crossed that the feeling of hidden maliciousness begins to rear its head. The American father, Ben (Scoot McNairy), is a complete pussy whose defeated by the loss of his job and the fact that his wife, Louise (Mackenzie Davis) had a recent affair. He finds inspiration and masculine affirmation through Paddy (James McAvoy), and his wife Ciara (Aisling Franciosi), so he constantly finds excuses to overlook Paddy’s disturbing behaviors that emerge. And things get progressively more tense as the children spend more time together, and the parents’ truer natures begin to show.

It’s awkward, it’s surprising, and it’s more close to being a re-interpretation of the original story more than it is an actual remake.

As far as the film on its own is concerned, it’s a tense, fun thriller. It has a slow, but necessary build up, with intrigue and suspense that carries its weight competently. All of the actors are on point – especially James McAvoy – and its a rollercoaster of a film. Now, when discussing the remake aspect of it (without spoilers, of course) – this movie certainly believes it shouldn’t exist if we’re going to do the exact same thing. Some things are changed around (some small, some big), and we do get a different approach to the ending that substitutes pitch-black dread with a more fun, explosive final act. This is the version of this story that is definitely more fun to watch, but your interpretation of how to feel about it will certainly vary per person.

It’s an interesting dive into the plights of civility, overly-compensating-humility, being too friendly (or cowardly, your choice), and the divisive awkwardness between people who don’t understand each other on almost the most basic of levels.

If you’ve never seen the original, take solace in knowing this film is a great time. If you’re a fan of the original, it won’t hit the same way of course, but it’s not an insult of a remake like something such as ‘Martyrs’ or ‘Inside’ are concerned. If you did not like the original because of the frustration it forces you to feel, you will definitely appreciate the direction of this one better. It feels more earnest for the American-English translation we are presented. I 100% prefer the Scandinavian version (which is currently streaming on Shudder), but this is one contemporary remake I’ll give a thumbs up to.

3.5/5
“Speak No Evil” is currently playing in theaters, and available on VOD services.

‘Til Next Time,
Mike Cleopatra