SPEAK NO EVIL

(director/writer: James Watkins; screenwriters: Christian Tafdrup, Mads Tafdrup; cinematographers: Mark Moriarty, Tim Maurice-Jones; editor: Jon Harris; music: Danny Bensi, Saunder Jurrianns; cast: James McAvoy (Paddy), Mackenzie Davis (Louise Dalton), Scoot McNairy (Ben Dalton), Aisling Franciosi (Ciara), Alix West Lefler (Agnes Dalton), Dan Hough (Ant), Kris Hitchen (Mike), Motaz Malhees (Muhjid); Runtime: 110; MPAA Rating: R; producers: Jason Blum, Paul Ritchie, Igor Nola; Universal Pictures; 2024-USA/Croatia/Canada)

“I would recommend seeing the superior and more disturbing Danish version rather than this Hollywood-like version.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

A reworking of the 2022 Danish thriller of the same name that was directed by Christian Tafdrup. Adding more intensity but less edge and social satire to the Americanized remake is Brit filmmaker James Watkins (“The Take”/”Eden Lake”), who directs and co-writes the B-film with the Danish writers Christian and his wife Mads Tafdrup.

While on a European vacation in Tuscany, Louise (Mackenzie Davis) and Ben Dalton (Scoot McNairy), along with their 11-year-old daughter Agnes (Alix West Lefler), hit it off with the fun-loving European couple of Paddy (James McAvoy) and Ciara (Aisling Franciosi) and their mute son Ant (Dan Hough).

The London-residing Dalton family are Americans who reside there because of Ben’s job. They accept an invite via a postcard to stay for a week in Paddy’s rural English country farmhouse retreat. But things turn dark when they get there, as they learn things about their host that are scary.

Louise is a neurotic. Ben is meek. The couple’s marriage is on the rocks. At the farm, the couple have trouble relating to their unpredictable host and his unhinged madness, as he plays twisted mind games with them. But their kids hit it off, as Ant communicates through notes he gives Agnes.

During the third act there’s a siege of horror that differs from the original’s more shocking and violent one, as here Paddy in a threatening tone of voice tells the couple he will carry out his intent “because you let me.”

I would recommend seeing the superior and more disturbing Danish version rather than this  Hollywood-like version. This version is okay, but it removed too much of its edge and bleakness that made the Danish version an unforgettable film.

REVIEWED ON 12/16/2024  GRADE: B-
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