MOVIE REVIEW | ‘Speak No Evil’ (2024) – Politeness made predatory

As children, we’re often told not to talk to strangers, the fear being that with our underdeveloped brains and naive sensibilities, we won’t be able to distinguish duplicity from sincerity. In Speak No Evil, parents Louise and Ben seem to have forgotten that rule. Armed with the wisdom of their years, they believe they’re far too smart to be taken advantage of.

A fellow family on vacation invites them to their home in the English countryside. Red flags abound, but Louise and Ben seem colour-blind. As they accept the generous offer, they unwittingly walk into the lion’s den with a smile. The film makes no attempt to hide the true intentions of Paddy, played by James McAvoy, who sends up warning signs from the start. Speak No Evil will have audiences screaming at the protagonists to turn back before it’s too late.

Despite the obvious threat, the movie compellingly explores social interactions. Paddy pushes his guests to the brink of politeness, forcing them to acquiesce to his every request. His insistence creates tension as the characters submit to his will to avoid causing a scene.

The movie is a remake of the 2022 film of the same name, taking the original premise and introducing innovative changes. Characters Ben and Louise are more fleshed out, with Mackenzie Davis and Scoot McNairy portraying a marriage on the rocks. Ben becomes enamoured with Paddy’s alpha male persona, drawn to his captor’s charms like a moth to a flame, while Louise emerges as a force to be reckoned with, refusing to apologise for who she is.

Speak No Evil is a more balanced take on the original story, forgoing the pessimism of its nightmare scenarios in favour of a more hopeful narrative. The characters find themselves trapped by their own choices, but rather than succumbing to their fate, they are given a chance to fight back. Whether they make it out alive, well, you’ll have to see it to find out.

As far as remakes go, Speak No Evil gives the story a new twist. The pieces needed to make the twist work are mostly well executed, but some elements from the original are incongruent with the film’s direction. Still, despite the mixed messaging, the performances and the unpredictable nature of the story are more than enough to give audiences a run for their money, just as long as you’re not spending too much.

Rating: Half Price

Damian Levy is a film critic and podcaster for Damian Michael Movies.