MOVIE REVIEW – Imagine a weekend getaway that suddenly spirals into a psychological nightmare, where your politeness becomes your worst enemy. Speak No Evil captures precisely this experience, turning a seemingly kind invitation into a fatal trap.

Many criticize today’s surge of remakes, but horror has always drawn on old stories. Surprisingly, some of these reinterpretations are quite successful, though American versions often lose the unique qualities of the originals, especially with international films. While The Ring or Funny Games are strong examples, many attempts fail to capture the original genius. The specific perception of danger by American audiences and cultural differences often don’t fit the story’s context. This can be seen, for example, in The Cabin in the Woods, where the American cabin scenario is markedly different from horror stories from other countries.

That’s why James Watkins faced a significant challenge in crafting the Blumhouse and Universal adaptation of Speak No Evil, a 2022 Dutch hit. The original was a hard-hitting psychological horror that also found popularity in the U.S., distributed by IFC Films and Shudder. Blumhouse quickly acquired remake rights, but the original’s fans were understandably skeptical. However, the 2024 American version of Speak No Evil is one of those rare remakes that succeeds. Anchored by one of James McAvoy’s finest performances, Watkins didn’t just retell the story; he explored how couples from different cultures would react to the same situation. The result is a tension-filled, ruthless creation—an exceptional outcome for an American remake.

Politeness Will Be Our Doom

Something isn’t right in Louise and Ben Dalton’s (Mackenzie Davis and Scoot McNairy) marriage. Their family holiday with their daughter Agnes (Alix West Lefler) appears to be a last-ditch effort—an “if we can’t be happy here, we won’t be happy anywhere” type of escape. When they meet Paddy and Ciara (James McAvoy and Aisling Franciosi), the English couple not only provides a welcome distraction but also some “relationship inspiration.” Paddy and Ciara are wildly in love, incredibly charming, and seemingly capable of anything, including caring for their mute son, Ant. The English couple isn’t satisfied with just being “holiday friends”; they invite the Daltons to visit their beautiful, secluded countryside home. Despite initial hesitation, the Dalton family accepts, hoping for a brief escape from their own troubles.

Almost immediately, it becomes clear that Paddy and Ciara’s idealized relationship is far from perfect, but the Daltons continue to ignore the obvious red flags, all in the name of politeness. “Is this just how the English do things?” they wonder. Is it truly so strange to push a vegetarian to eat meat? Or is the discomfort over Paddy’s suggestion that they strip and jump into the lake just a reflection of their prudishness? Being on foreign soil always brings a certain level of anxiety, as cultural norms can vary dramatically. Speak No Evil skillfully exploits our willingness to overlook or rationalize troubling behavior under societal pressure. Sometimes, this exploitation is uncomfortably humorous—the kind of laughter more suited to funerals—and sometimes James McAvoy’s performance leaves us speechless with its mastery.

James McAvoy and the Monstrous Masculinity

In film theory, Barbara Creed coined the term “monstrous femininity” to analyze how horror’s terror is rooted in the cisgender female reproductive body. However, today, the term is more often used to explore how femininity can become a vessel of evil. Speak No Evil seems to represent the opposite, with Paddy and Ben embodying the “monstrous masculinity” of both the “alpha” and “beta” classes. Unlike the easily avoidable, self-proclaimed “red-pill” figures of the internet, Paddy hides his toxic masculinity behind witty jokes, sparkling eyes, and an undeniably attractive physique that has sparked open longing from horror fans for months. Meanwhile, Ben is weak and desperately craves validation, clouding his judgment as Paddy and Ciara continue to cross more boundaries.

But when the façade drops and the British couple’s truth comes to light, McAvoy transforms into one of the greatest villains of all time. His vengeful cruelty and scorching charisma are simultaneously captivating and terrifying, making it easy to see how someone could be drawn into his web. There will undoubtedly be those who think that if they were in the Daltons’ shoes, they would make different choices, but that is simply not true. We don’t know how we’ll act in a given moment until we are actually in it, and that is what makes Speak No Evil so thrilling. The trailers have long revealed Paddy’s true nature, so half the fun is seeing just how far he will push the limits. From the start, McAvoy is in top form, delivering one of the best performances of the year. Welcome to the illustrious hall of evil horror dads, James McAvoy!

Even for those familiar with the original film’s ending, there are still plenty of surprises in store.

Speak No Evil Remake Stands on Its Own

Without divulging spoilers, the changes Watkins makes to Speak No Evil are like a delicious addition to an already twisted satire, which feels much more in line with how Americans would respond in this situation than the Danish couple from the 2022 film. Mackenzie Davis’s Louise is a formidable challenger to McAvoy’s Paddy, delivering a performance with the drive of her character Kirsten Raymonde in Station Eleven and the badass resilience of Grace in Terminator: Dark Fate. Those frustrated with the Danish couple’s behavior in the original might find the Daltons more to their liking, making the remake a more enjoyable experience. Blumhouse wisely chose this film as their final theatrical release of 2024, as it’s the best film to come out of “The House that Blum Built” this year.

The changes may spark debate among fans of the original, but Speak No Evil retains its brutality without relying on the shocks of the source material and injects humor into a situation that would consume most people. It stands on its own and could even serve as a franchise starter (please, no!), as the combination of different couples from different cultures offers endless possibilities. Those who embrace the changes are in for a wildly bizarre treat.

As for everyone else, perhaps they could try being a little more polite.

-Herpai Gergely “BadSector”-