Speak No Evil
When a film is billed as a psychological horror thriller you wonder just how psychological or thrilling it will be. SPEAK NO EVIL is one that lives up to the hype, makes you talk back to the screen, and has a conversation afterward.
James Watkins wrote and directed the remake of the 2022 Danish film. This one stars James McAvoy as the crazed, overly touchy-feely, off-the-rails, wild man. He is so good at this I wish I could ask him how he got into the head of this character.
Americans Louise (Mackenzie Davis) and Ben Dalton (Scoot McNairy) and their daughter Agnes are vacationing at a resort in Italy. They moved to England for a project Ben was hoping for but fell through and now he is unemployed. Louise had an online affair, and their daughter Agnes (Alix West Lefler) has anxiety issues that only her stuffed rabbit can help her through. Needless to say, this is a stressful vacation.
They run into a couple Paddy (James McAvoy), who is a doctor, his wife Ciara (Aisling Franciosi), and their son Ant (Dan Hough) who are also vacationing at the resort.
Paddy and Ciara are free spirits which puts Louise on edge, but Ben is enjoying the male bonding with Paddy. The Daltons are invited to visit Paddy and his family at their farmhouse. Louise is skeptical but gives in to Ben’s pleas.
Once they get to the farmhouse things begin to get weird. Their son Ant can’t speak. They are told he was born with an exceptionally short tongue. Ant and Agnus get along well and find a way to communicate.
From day one Louise is uneasy by the way Paddy forces his way on them. He knows she is a vegetarian but bullies her into eating a piece of meat. He is very touchy-feely with her and Ben turns his head. Finally, things become crystal clear that something isn’t right with this situation and family. Louise plans their escape, and they are almost out of there when Angus finds she has left her toy rabbit, and they have to go back.
The rest is somewhat predictable but will still have you on edge and having a couple of surprises. Even I was talking back to the screen and the debate carried out in the lobby on what we would have done.
I give SPEAK NO EVIL 4 winks of the EYE
Until next time keep your EYE to the sky!