Speak No Evil (2024) Movie Review - 31 Days of Halloween 2024
Welcome to Knockout Horror. We are reviewing another recent movie for day 9 of our 31 Days of Halloween 2024 feature. James Watkins’ remake of 2022 Danish horror movie Speak No Evil.
The story follows a family of Americans, father Ben (Scoot McNairy), mother Louise (Mackenzie Davis) and their daughter Agnes (Alix West Lefler), currently living in London, England, meeting another family, father Paddy (James McAvoy), mother Ciara (Aisling Franciosi) and son Ant (Dan Hough), while on holiday in Italy.
The two families hit it off and, upon their return, the Ben and Louise receive a postcard inviting them to stay at the other family’s farm in the West Country. Taking them up on the offer, it may just turn out to be a decision they entirely regret.
A Lot of Noise Surrounding This One
Naturally, this movie has caused a bit of a stir. People, in general, loathe movie remakes. The way people react to the announcement of movies being re-imagined for a different audience is pretty ridiculous. You would assume that all copies of the original movie disintegrate the second the remake releases. Obviously, that isn’t the case and both movies are allowed to stand up in their own right. Whether you prefer the original or not is irrelevant. They are different movies and can each be enjoyed on their own merit.
It would be remiss of me to pretend like I don’t understand, however. I really do. A lot of remakes are absolutely shite. Especially a lot of the Asian horror that found its way over to the US. When you hear remake, it’s impossible not to think of the 2016 US version of New French Extremity horror Inside, 2006’s Nicholas Cage version of The Wicker Man, and *shudders* Sophia Takal’s 2019 remake of legendary slasher Black Christmas. All of these re-imaginings are terrible and give the concept a very bad name. Unfortunately, the list doesn’t stop there. It goes on and on and on so, yes, I totally get it.
It’s Actually Really Good
I’m here to say, however, that in the case of 2024’s Speak No Evil, there is no need to fear. This is a tremendously good horror movie. In fact, this movie might have even surpassed the original Danish version which we gave a very good score to last year. A lot of the things that many hated about the original are completely changed here. Including the very controversial and divisive ending that left so many to dislike the film and harshly criticise it. Gone is the somewhat ridiculous, and rather unbelievable, ending of the original and in comes a very Hollywood ending with more action and more positivity.
Anyone who enjoyed the original film but hated the ending is going to enjoy this version so much more. If negativity in your horror is not for you, you will be way happier with the choices made here. Aside from that hot button issue, Speak No Evil is just a bloody good film. It is fantastically paced, tense, deep and genuinely funny in parts.
It retains much of what made the original great while building on it with more wit and a bit more nuance. The first half of the movie acts as, pretty much, a shot for shot remake with even the locations being almost identical. The second half is where things begin to separate and Watkins carves a new identity for the movie. Watkins is a fantastically accomplished director, here in the UK, bringing the horror world the brilliant Eden Lake and he has hit it out of the park again.
A More Believable Scenario
The original version of Speak No Evil was based around the idea that Danish people are simply unable to say no. Something which can land them into situations where they are uncomfortable. This point was emphasised by the Danish couple making more and more compromises to avoid upsetting their hosts, ultimately to a point of ridiculousness.
Watkins’ version of Speak No Evil plays on this idea but in a much more subtle and believable way. There are far fewer concessions made by the visiting couple and the characters are more willing to speak their mind. This makes the characters of Paddy and Ciara seem a lot more devious. They have to work to manipulate a couple who are far less willing to simply go along with everything.
I think it is fair to imagine that some will feel as though this version lacks some of what made the original great. The point of the movie hasn’t so much been lost as it has been changed. Watkins’ Speak No Evil would best be viewed as a simple horror movie rather than as a social commentary on the politeness of certain groups of people. When viewed through this lens, it is easier to enjoy it as a separate, individual, story and appreciate it on its own merits.
Very Well Acted
Cinematography and direction are excellent. There’s some fantastic shots here and there. Some of which place the viewer as a spy watching through windows at what is going on and are a ton of fun. Pacing is excellent, I never felt as though the movie was lagging and much of it absolutely flies by. The revised ending is intense and high energy. Completely different from the original and sure to divide opinion. It works well as far as Hollywood endings go.
Acting is fantastic, throughout. Mackenzie Davis and Scoot McNairy portray a stronger and more likable couple than in the original. Both have some great comedic timing that adds to a few moments of subtle humour. Aisling Franciosi, of Stopmotion fame, is fantastic, as always. Even managing a fairly convincing Northern English accent.
It’s James McAvoy who steals the show, though. What a fantastic performance. He has always been an actor worth getting excited about but this is him at his best. It’s a sinister, manipulating, dark and, often, hilarious performance that makes the movie infinitely better. I would say his performance is worth the cost of admission alone. It helps a great deal that the movie is plenty watchable in its own right.
Should You Watch Speak No Evil?
You should absolutely watch Speak No Evil. Full disclosure, I try to go into movies with an unbiased opinion but I was failing when it came to this movie. I really enjoyed the original and didn’t think this one would be all that good. I was totally wrong! Speak No Evil is a great remake and a brilliant movie in its own right. McAvoy is sensational, the new ending, though divisive, cleans up a lot of issues in the original and everything else that worked so well in the Danish version works well here. Great stuff and another brilliant movie in a year full of great horror.
